Page 41 of The Nicest Thing
"Hmmm," I said, sharing a secret smile with him."Wouldn't want you to fail your anatomy class."
"If I do, coach won't let me play in the big game," he said with a serious face.
"That would be tragic."
"I can't let the team down."
"You are the star player."
"With the best arm in the state," he put in.
"Possibly the country," I said with a nod.
Bella sighed."I need to talk to someone about this tattoo.Will they be long or…?"
Ana shook her head."Nope, I see my cousins now."
My eyes widened as I looked out the storefront window, seeing that she was right.Derek, Angelo, Louis, and Carlos were all headed this way.They had takeout bags in their hands from the Mexican restaurant next door, and they looked happy.But I could imagine what they'd do if they caught sight of Finn.
Latching onto his arm, I said, "We should start that tutoring."
"Okay, let's go," Finn said.
Ana lifted a brow."Don't you want to introduce them?"
"I'd rather get stung by a thousand bees," I muttered, and Finn must've heard because he guffawed.I passed the pint of Rocky Road to Ana."Here."
"What's this?" she asked.
"For your silence," I said seriously, and she gave me a somber nod."Just tell them Room 5 is unavailable.Please and thank you, Ana."
"Will do," she said.
Finn was laughing as I pulled him down the hall, but I kept one eye on the front door.The bell above it rang just as we got to the room.I pushed Finn inside ahead of me, and as I was closing the door, I paused, listening as Derek said, "Hey, where'd Rose go?"
"Yeah," Angelo said."Could've sworn I saw her talking to some guy."
Ana's reply?
"Maybe you should get your eyes checked.You have a client, oh, and Room 5 is occupied."
"Occupied by who?" Louis said.
"Nunya."
"Who's nunya?" Carlos asked, and I heard the other guys groan.
"None of your business," Ana said primly."Now, get to work before I call Grandma Rose and tell her you're all slacking."
Closing the door, I took a deep breath then turned…
…only to freeze.
"Oh," I said in surprise, coming face-to-chest with Finn.It was a very nice chest.His broad shoulders expanded as he inhaled, and yeah, it was hard to look away.
"Something wrong?" he said.
"No"—my eyes snapped to his—"I just didn't realize you were so close."
