Page 122 of Finn Rhodes Forever

“Mhm.” She smiled out the open window.

“No mayhem, no chaos, no getting in trouble today. Just good old-fashioned volunteering.”

She grinned. “You’re so weird.”

I reached across the seat and placed my hand on her thigh, giving her a light squeeze. “Thanks for coming with me today. This’ll be way more fun with you around.”

Her eyes met mine, and the warmth in them made my heart flip. She shrugged. “Happy to.”

* * *

Three hours later,we had two deliveries left—the box to town hall and the box that was going to the turtle sanctuary. It felt like we’d run into every person in town today, and I felt a funny pride in my chest, helping out like this. Catching up with people I hadn’t seen in a while, making conversation with some of the older folks we delivered meals to who didn’t get out much, and even seeing how excited the teachers were when the books arrived—it felt nice. Rewarding, even. It felt like I was a part of something.

I’d keep this up, volunteering with Miri. It felt good to be a part of the town again, and not just be counting down until I left.

We pulled up to town hall, and Liv turned around to study the box with the holes in it. A rustling noise came from inside.

“We can’t leave them in the car,” she said. “It’s getting too hot.”

We climbed out and I pulled the box for town hall out of the trunk.

“Here,” I said, handing it to her. “This one’s light. I’ll take the turtles inside with us.”

Inside, the receptionist glanced up from her phone. “Hi, you two.”

“Hey, Anna. We’ve got a delivery for Div.”

She pointed down the hall before swiping left on a dating app. “He should be in his office. Go right in.”

“Thanks.” I gestured to the box in my arms. “Can we leave this with you for a moment? We’ll be right back.”

“Sure thing.” She turned back to her phone and gestured over her shoulder. “Just leave it on the floor.”

I slid the box down below the desk, and when I straightened up, Emmett was passing through the lobby, carrying a takeout bag from Avery’s restaurant.

“Hey,” he called, waving. “What are you two up to?”

My gaze met Liv’s and she rolled her lips to hide a smile. I widened my eyes, a silent way of sayingdon’t tell Emmett what’s in the box.

Emmett didn’t like turtles. As a kid, he accidentally rode his bike over one and killed it, and ever since, he’d had athingagainst them. When they were dating, Avery dragged him to the turtle sanctuary. Behind Miri’s back, he called it Miri’s House of Turtle Horrors.

I shrugged. “Just dropping a box off for Div.”

He brightened up. “Nice.” He glanced at his watch. “Gotta go, there’s a class from the school doing a tour here soon.” He nodded at us. “See ya.”

“Bye, Emmett,” Liv said lightly as he walked away. “We need to get that box out of herenow.”

I laughed. “Okay, let’s go then.”

When we arrived at his office, Div sat at his desk, typing an email. As always, he wore a full suit. He turned to see us in the doorway and gave us a discerning expression.

“Olivia. Finn.” He nodded once, looking me up and down with an arched brow. “Nice to see you with clothes on.”

I burst out laughing and my ears heated. I’d been getting a few comments around town after my stunt the other night at the community center.

For the thousandth time, I pictured the hot, glazed look on Liv’s face as I pulled her beneath me amidst the screaming crowd.

It had been so worth it.

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