Page 115 of Finn Rhodes Forever

Before I could lose my nerve, I dialed, heart beating in my ears. My mouth went dry as it rang.

“Hi,” a low, gravelly voice answered, and my blood spiked with adrenaline. “This is Cole Wright. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you.”

Voicemail. My gut eased a fraction before it beeped and I sat there, frozen.

What was I going to say?

Fuck.

“Hi,” I said, blinking. “Um. This is Olivia.”

My heart beat out of my chest, and I was struck by an ugly thought.

What if he didn’t remember me?

No, I countered. Obviously, he’d remember me.

The side of me that wasn’t frozen and blinking was baffled at how hard I was fucking this up.

“Your daughter,” I added. It felt like my mouth was full of sand. “And I’d like to meet you.”

Oh god, what if he thought I wanted something from him? Alarm shot through me.

“I don’t want money or anything,” I hurried to add.

Wow. Olivia. My ears felt warm.

“I want to talk.” I paused a moment. “Okay, bye.”

I hung up and stared at my phone with wide eyes. That couldn’t have gone any worse.

A pulse of pride flicked through me. I did it, though, and I couldn’t wait to tell Finn.

44

Olivia

The night of our date,I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, squirming with nerves.

This was so stupid. So unlike me to be nervous. For what, even? We were probably getting food and a drink and maybe we’d make out for a bit. Maybe we’d go see another movie in the park. I had no reason to be nervous, I told myself while I applied winged liner and mascara.

It was just a date, I thought while I pulled on a pair of high-waisted shorts that made my ass look good. The top I had selected showed off a bit of cleavage, and I could already picture Finn’s gaze snagging on the neckline.

A shudder of anticipation rolled through me.

It was just a date. It wasn’t a big deal.

My gaze strayed to the new door Finn had installed the other morning. He had tossed me two sets of keys and pocketed a third with a rakish grin.

“So I don’t have to break it down next time,” he said with a wink.

Another shiver rolled down my spine as I pictured him storming into my room. The dark, hot look in his eyes.

On my bedside table, my phone lit up with a text.

Sadie Waters:Are you working tonight?

Olivia Morgan:Not tonight. Date with Finn.

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