Page 92 of The Nicest Thing
"If you think I'd let a young man I've never met before take you in a car out of state for an extended period of time, you don't know me at all," she said with a sniff.
"Butyaya," I said reasonably, "I've told you everything about Finn."
"Yes, but I needed to lay eyes on him.Take his full measure.Make sure he's on the up and up.If he wants to take my granddaughter anywhere, he needs my approval first."
"Technically, I'm an adult.AndI'mtakinghimto an author event, so…"
The look she shot me was icy with a side of withering.
"But I guess, it's fine," I said quickly.
She gave a curt nod."This is the best way.You'll see."
Looking around Derek's backyard at our large extended family, many of whom were drinking, talking, and having a grand time, I tilted my head.Nothing too crazy had happened yet.Finn was currently in the bathroom, washing his hands before dinner—he was that guy, which was just another thing I loved about him.I also thought he might've needed a second to summon his courage to face this crew.
"I just hope they don't intentionally try to drive him away," I mumbled, watching as Angelo started roughhousing with Carlos.
"Please."Yaya scoffed."Of course, they will."
"Then I hope they don't succeed."
"He'll be fine."
"You're right.I mean, it's just one dinner."
I started to feel a bit better.
"What could possibly go wrong?"
"Famous last words, my little Rose."My grandmother sent me a soft smile."But seriously, if your Finn can't handle this, maybe he's not the one for you."
Finn joined us before I could say anything back.
"Sorry, that took longer than expected," he said and ran a hand through his hair, wearing that genuine smile that dazzled everyone within a five-mile radius—or me at least."A young girl got her hand stuck in the toilet.She was trying to rescue one of her toys."
Yaya narrowed her gaze."What did she look like?"
"Dark hair, light blue eyes, cute with a dimple in the left cheek but a little mischief in her eyes," Finn said."Reminded me of Emmy when she was younger."
"Desandra," grandma and I both said at the same time.
"Yep, that was her name."
I bit my lip."You okay?"
"Yeah," he said with a laugh, "it was touch and go there for a minute.But I was able to help her save the little ponies.Turned out there were a couple down there."
"She probably did it on purpose, to see if they could swim."
Finn shrugged."It happens.My brothers and I used to put ninja turtles in there."
"Did you have to put your hand in the toilet?"
"I may have…"
Finn turned to Yaya and nodded.
"But I washed thoroughly afterward.Promise.I knew I was going to meet Grandma Rose, and I didn't want to do it with dirty hands. Then after the pony rescue, I ran into Aunt Margot, Uncle Raphael, Uncle Samuel, Aunt Maria, Collette, Monique and her little boy Trevor.Anyway, sorry it took me so long."
