Page 99 of Finn Rhodes Forever

An idea hit me and I narrowed my eyes at her. “Can anyone join?”

She brightened. “Absolutely. We’re meeting Sunday afternoon in Hannah’s bookstore.”

“Great.” My smile stretched wide as delight and mischief spread through my chest. “See you there.”

38

Olivia

On Sunday afternoon,I led Finn down the street to our next date.

“What are you grinning about?” Finn murmured in my ear, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

“Just excited to take you on a romantic date.” I flattened my mouth so I wouldn’t laugh.

God, I couldn’t wait to see his face when he figured it out. I’d given up trying to get him to dump me, but I still loved trying to rattle him.

A little part of me wanted to see how he’d react, too. Would he get me back? In my mind, I heard the smack of his hand on my ass.

“Cold?”

“Hmm?” I looked up at him. “What?”

“You shivered.” His eyes glittered. Even though there was a light breeze coming off the nearby marina, the sun was warm and pleasant.

“Oh.” My face heated and I hid my smile. “Nope. Not cold.”

His gaze flicked down the t-shirt dress I had on. I didn’t wear skirts or dresses often but something about Finn holding off on us having sex made me want to tease him a bit. His eyes lingered on the neckline, pinning me with something focused and hungry.

We stopped in front of Pemberley Books, Hannah’s bookstore.

“We’re here,” I told Finn, stomach bubbling and fizzing with excitement.

God, I couldn’t wait to fuck with him.

He narrowed his eyes at the store but I pulled him inside.

Hannah’s bookstore was gorgeous. Her mom had started it when Hannah was a baby, and after she passed, Hannah and her dad ran it. A few years ago, with the help of Wyatt and his family, Hannah had fixed it up into something whimsical. The wallpaper burst with big flowers, fluffy lighting hung from the ceilings, and the bookshelves were new, sturdy, and gleaming. Outside, a bright, spectacular mural decorated the side of the building. She sold only romance books, because that was her favorite genre and the books made people happy.

Hannah had changed when she and Wyatt got closer. She had always been painfully shy, but remembering her belting out the Spice Girls at the bar karaoke night always brought a smile to my face. Wyatt helped her come out of her shell and shine brighter.

Hannah processed a customer’s sale at the desk while Wyatt wandered the store with Cora in his arms. She was pointing at all the different book covers and babbling while Wyatt watched her with a sweet, adoring expression. Cora waved at her mom and Hannah beamed and waved back.

Is that what happened when you fell in love? You turned into a better, brighter version of yourself? My stomach flipped as I glanced at Finn and he sent a wink back at me.

Being with Finn made me better. He made me less grumpy and more playful, and everything was more fun. Around him, I couldn’t think of things to be grumpy about.

I couldn’t even imagine how good it would be to feel like this forever. It couldn’t possibly last. The thought sent a chill through my blood.

Hannah glanced up.

“Hey, you two.” She gave us an odd smile. “Are you here for the book club?”

I nodded. “We sure are.”

Her eyes went wide and she bit back a grin, glancing at Finn. “Okay, then.”

Finn nudged me. “Book club, huh? I know the kinds of books Hannah sells.” His gaze flared and he lowered his voice to a whisper. “If you want me to read smut to you, Morgan, all you have to do is ask.”

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