Page 98 of The Nicest Thing
Angelo stepped up with a smirk."FYI, I dominate every year, Finito."
"It's true," Louis said."Last year, he downed 24 before chucking it all up."
"In my flower beds," Derek added, throwing a menacing glance Angelo's way.Just looking at him, you might've assumed that tatted-up Derek wouldn't care about nature.You'd be wrong.The only thing he loved more than his kids, family, and tattoos was his garden.But my other cousin simply shrugged.
"That's the price of greatness," Angelo said.
Derek grunted.
"Not everyone can be a winner."
"Not everyone is dumb enough to eat 24 of the hottest chili peppers known to mankind in under an hour," he shot back.
I turned to Finn, but he seemed undeterred.
"It's not too late to back out," I said.
"Yeah," Carlos said."No shame in admitting you're a coward, Finito.It is what it is."
I frowned at the nickname."Uh, we are not doing Finito."
"I think we are."
"See you in few," Finn said to me, and as they led him away, he didn't even look nervous.
I was questioning his self-preservation skills while admiring the way his broad shoulders moved as he walked when my aunts and Ana joined me.
"So," Aunt Monique said, "Finn's hot."
"Um hm," I said back.
"I met him in the house," Collette put in."Very nice, Rose.Like literally, the guy issonice."
"I know."
"Is he single?" Aunt Maria asked.
Ana scoffed."You're too old for him."
"Um, that's rude—and I know, Ana.I was asking for a friend.Namely Rose."
I tried to ignore them, but it was impossible.
Margot, the bluntest of them all, pursed her lips. "Why haven't you locked that down yet?I would've a long time ago."
"Because we're friends, and he doesn't see me that way," I said.
"Then you make him."
I frowned at that."How?"
She released a gusty, put-up on sigh."I don't know, Rose.You use what you've got. Throw your tatas in his face."
"Oh yeah, why didn't I think of that?"I rolled my eyes, and Margot sniffed.
"Someone else will take him if you don't."
My heart panged, but I knew she was right.I'd always known.Finn was way too good to die single.
