Page 68 of The Complication with the Best Man

“Well, I’m pretty sure I know why he agreed.” I continue to try to stifle my laughter.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been there, Finn. You saw the residents.”

He shrugs. “They were definitely interesting, but they’re just a bunch of senior citizens. How bad could it be?”

Any filter I had to not laugh breaks. “They’re going to eat you alive, Finn. I need some entertainment, so I’m going with you.”

He rolls his eyes. “Harper, I’ll be fine.”

“Even so, I’m coming.” I shake my head and slide off the stool to grab a paper towel to clean up all the crumbs on the counter.

“Be ready to leave at six.”

“Will do.”

I don’t need reality television. This will be like watching a reunion of my favorite show.

twenty-seven

FINN

Ipull the truck into the parking lot at Northern Lights Retirement Home. I can’t help but reflect on how different things are since the last time I was here. Tonight, the woman sitting beside me is my pregnant one-night stand and not my fiancée.

It dawns on me that this is the first time I’ve thought about Tamra in weeks. If that doesn’t tell me that it was a bad idea to be marrying her even under fake promises, I don’t know what does. I still worry about my parents though. When I called my mom earlier to tell her I’d be home in a few days to pack everything up, she said everything was okay, but I could hear the underlying stress in her voice.

I couldn’t help feeling guilty for not being able to help them any longer, even if they didn’t know about my plan in the first place.

After I’ve turned the car off and am reaching for the door handle, Harper’s hand lands on the wrist of my hand that’s still on the console. “Before we go in there, I just want to say that the most important thing is to not show fear. They can sniff it out like a bloodhound, and if they know you’re afraid, it will only make it worse.”

“Why are you talking like I’m headed to war? This is a bunch of senior citizens we’re talking about. It will be fine.”

She opens her mouth to say something more, but I push open the door and exit the truck, grabbing the large first aid bag we use on our calls from the back seat.

I get my first indication that maybe Harper isn’t exaggerating when we’re met by Leann, and she takes one look at me and chuckles to herself. “I see they sent fresh blood this year. Well, good to see you again.” She gives me a nod and a smile, then looks at Harper. “Are you here for moral support?”

“Something like that,” Harper says.

Leann leads us around to a large room that’s been set up with rows of chairs. A bunch of seniors are sitting in them and a few are in wheelchairs on the outside of the rows. At the front of the room is an open space where I suppose I’ll be giving my presentation.

I follow Leann and set down the first aid bag. Harper sits in an empty seat in the front row.

Until this moment, I forgot that she’d be watching my entire presentation. I’m not sure why that makes me nervous, but it does. It shouldn’t matter to me, but I want to impress her. I want her to see me as capable person who will be able to handle the stress of raising a child.

“All right, everyone, listen up.” The murmuring in the crowd quiets down. “Finn is here from the Lake Starlight Fire Department and has been sent to do the annual safety talk with you all. Please give him the courtesy of your attention.”

“He’s cute,” a woman says, though I’m not sure who.

“Must be a bad boy. Look at all those tattoos,” another says.

“I’ve got some tattoos I can show you, Lois. Come to my place after,” a man says.

I clear my throat and shift my weight from one foot to the other.

“Enough talking. Everyone, please give Finn a warm welcome.” Leann turns, so only I can hear, and says, “If they’re a real problem, have Harper come find me.”

Smiling, I nod then turn my attention back to the audience. “Okay, thanks for having me here tonight. My name is Finn and?—”

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