Page 15 of Finn Rhodes Forever

“Yes.” I slipped onto a barstool. “I’m going to cut all your boxers into thongs tonight. And you’re not allowed to drink in my bar until you’ve apologized for sticking me with your brother all summer.”

Avery took the stool beside me, grinning. “Oooh. Bummer, Emmett. Guess you can wait outside if I go in for a drink.”

He turned from the stove and gave her an incredulous look. “You’re supposed to support me in sickness and in health.”

She put her hands up. “I’m with Olivia on this one.”

He lifted his eyebrows at her, an amused grin quirking on his mouth, so similar to his youngest brother, before he narrowed his eyes at me. “I heard a rumour you two were back together, but I didn’t believe it.”

Avery snorted. “Yeah, why is Finn telling half the town you two are soulmates?”

I fought an eye roll. Jeez, that guy worked fast. I let a breath out of my nose before I nodded at them, jaw tight.

“We are,” I told them lightly.

Avery studied me with a small grin, like she was trying to read my thoughts. I stared back at her in challenge.

“Really?” Emmett asked, setting the wooden spoon down.

“Yep.”

Avery rolled her lips to hide her smile.

Emmett turned slowly, frowning. “But you hate each other.”

Irritation sizzled down my spine and I glared at him.

“Emmett, get your gossip from somewhere else,” Avery told him. “Olivia is our guest.”

I shot her a grateful look. I had always liked Avery. She owned The Arbutus, a restaurant in town, and she and Emmett had been married three years. I vaguely remembered her hating him, him having a massive crush on her, and suddenly they were trying to convince the town they were madly in love, despite their engagement being fake.

But we weren’t supposed to talk about that. It became real in the end.

Avery shot me a look that saidyou’ll spill once he’s gone.

“You’re not actually upset, right?” Emmett turned back to the stove and sent me a concerned glance over his shoulder. “I know you can fend for yourself. You’re the most experienced hiker in this town, but I couldn’t forgive myself if you got hurt.”

I let out a long breath. “No, I see it from your perspective.” The low-boiling fury in my gut was because the universe had shoved Finn in my face.

This would just be more motivation to find the flower as fast as possible.

Emmett turned the stove off and covered the pasta sauce as we heard a knock on the door.

“It’s open,” Avery called.

The door opened. “Is it safe?” Sadie called.

Avery rolled her eyes, laughing. “I saidit’s open. That means it’s safe.”

Moments later, Sadie and Hannah walked into the kitchen carrying bags of snacks and drinks.

“Hello.” Sadie wrapped me in a hug from behind. “Uh, cannotwaitto get into the latest town gossip tonight.” She shook her head, long brown hair swinging in her usual high ponytail. “Holden won’t tell me anything, it’s so annoying.” She squeezed me tighter, binding my arms at my sides.

“You can let go of me now,” I told her.

“Not yet.”

I huffed a laugh. Sadie and I were complete opposites—she was bubbly, friendly, cheerful, and spontaneous, whereas I was more like Holden—quiet, a little cranky, antisocial, and didn’t love surprises.

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