Page 48 of Finn's Solace

Before I could take a step, Padfoot rushed over to me, gave a woof, then raced into the living room. I'd known him long enough to understand exactly what he wanted, and I sighed.

"Papa, I'm taking Pads out for a walk!"

"Be careful!" Papa called back, and I rolled my eyes. Mistvale had to be the safest place on the planet, yet he always said that when any of his kids went out.

I grabbed Padfoot's leash from its hook, then led him outside, breathing in the clear night air. I wondered what Levi was up to.

Levi

Gardening at night was an...interesting experience, but with work and Finn, this was the only time I could find. My tomato plants were big enough to start bearing fruit soon, and I was excited. I loved taking care of my plants and watching them grow. Knowing they were healthy and growing because of my magic made me feel accomplished in a way my job didn't.

My phone rang, breaking my concentration just as I was about give a boost to some herbs that had been struggling to grow.

Dusting my hands off, I stood up, then walked over to the patio where I'd left my phone. Seeing Finn's name, I quickly answered the call, then sat down on the patio. Greta raced over to me from the garden, then climbed onto my lap, leaving dirt tracks on my pants.

"Hey, Finn," I greeted him as I shot Greta an admonishing glare she chose to ignore.

"Hey, Levi. Are you busy?"

I eyed my garden and all the plants that still needed tending, then bit back a sigh. "Not at all. What's up?"

"Just out walking Padfoot and I felt like talking to you," Finn confessed in a low voice, and I smiled.

"I'm glad you called."

"Yeah?"

"Yep. I've been thinking about you all day," I said, and he sucked in a breath. Was he blushing? I wished I could see him, touch him.

"Are you just saying that?"

"Nope. Caleb looked ready to throttle me because I kept daydreaming when I should've been working."

"You have to be careful. You could get hurt." The seriousness in his voice made me smile, but I tried not to let it show in my voice when I spoke.

"I'll be careful. I promise. What do you want to do on Saturday?"

"I don't know. I'm up for anything as long as we're together," he said, then cleared his throat.

"Are you blushing?" I asked, and he scoffed.

"No."

"Youareblushing."

"Shut up."

"Admit it, and I will," I teased, and he huffed, making me wish again he was in front of me so I could kiss those pouty lips of his.

"Fine. You made me blush, okay? Are you happy now?"

"Very. And I thought we could spend the weekend at my place again. Just the two of us this time."

Finn went quiet, and I wondered if it had been a bad idea. He'd seemed to enjoy our weekend together if you ignored the nightmare and his subsequent actions.

"Or we can do something else."

"No, no. Weekend at yours sounds good."

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