Page 17 of Where Happiness Begins

Before he can say anything, I climb the stairs and hope he listens to my command. I need to explain at least a part of what is truly going on to Finn before he sees this stranger in my house and starts freaking out like the big brother he likes to pretend he is.

“Hey,” I say, sounding breathless. “Didn’t feel like knocking today?”

Finn stands from where he was leaning against the back of the couch, an eyebrow quirked up. “There a reason I needed to knock?”

“Because I’m a grown adult and could’ve had someone in here?”I say, keeping the question hypothetical for now.

“Ididknock, but then I saw that other car in the driveway, and when you didn’t answer, I got worried.”

I probably should’ve thought about the fact that we often show up unannounced to each other’s places before keeping a six-foot-two secret from him. I also should’ve considered that Finn would think another car in my driveway would be suspicious since I haven’t had new people over since Greg and I ended things.

“Sorry, I was in the basement.”

“I gathered,” he says in a slow drawl, his face turning even more questioning. He knows I never go into the basement. Even though I’m a big girl and live alone in my house, basements still scare the living daylights out of me. “So who’s there?”

“Huh?”

“The car. Whose is it?”

Of course he won’t let me play dumb. Finn knows me too well for that.

Swallowing, I say, “Wanna go talk about this outside? Go on a walk?”

If there was a hint of calmness in his face, it’s gone now. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” I walk toward the door.

“You’re hiding something.”

I don’t bother denying it, and after slipping into my sneakers, I go outside. As predicted, he follows me. Once the door is closed, I go down the front steps and walk to the street, far enough that I know Carter won’t hear us from inside even if his ear is right next to the window.

“So?” Finn says, making me turn and face him. “You’re starting to scare me.”

“Nothing to be scared of.”

“Then why are you acting soweird?”

And that’s when his eyes land on my left hand—more precisely, on the ring there. His face blanches.

Now or never, I guess.

Heart in my throat, I breathe out, “I got married yesterday.”

A pause, then, “You did what?” His voice is calm. Too calm.

“I got married.”

He blinks. Blinks again.

“I’m sorry, I think you’re gonna have to repeat that again becausemy frienddoesn’t even have a boyfriend.”

Not knowing what to say to that, I lift my hands in front of me. “Surprise.”

Another long moment passes. “This is a prank, right? Something Lexie put you up to? Yeah, it has to be that.”

“It’s not a prank, Finn.”

“Then I need you to tell me what the fuck is going on.”

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