Page 31 of Finn Rhodes Forever

“What a relief,” she said, hand over her heart. “Goodness, Finn, you look so handsome in your uniform.”

I looked down at myself with a little laugh. I’d gone all out today. For the kids, but also for Liv. Her seeing this side of me, seeing how seriously I took firefighting, would help change her mind.

Mrs. Flores shook her head with that same knowing, cheeky smile. She wagged a finger at me. “I know you’re still that little devil, though.” She pointed at the framed photo outside the principal’s office, and I held back a sigh.

That photo wasstillhere? It was my grade twelve school photo, and below it, there was a small plaque. I already knew what it said. The principal had showed this to me at graduation.

Finn Rhodes—record holder for number of visits to the principal’s office

“A few kids have come close,” she laughed, “but no one’s beat your record yet.”

It used to be inside the principal’s office, and now it hung outside for everyone who passed in and out of the school to see.

My shoulders tensed. No wonder I had a reputation. Jesus Christ.

“Ms. Yang is ready if you want to head straight to her class,” she said with a bright smile, pointing down the hall. “Right at the end. The door should be open.”

I thanked her and headed down the hall, my boots thumping on the linoleum floor as I approached.

A woman stepped through the classroom door in front of me and I stopped short.

“Jen.” I straightened up. “Hi.”

My stomach tensed. Living in Queen’s Cove over the years, I’d run into Olivia’s mom once in a while, and it was always awkward. Every time I saw her, I heard what she said to me outside the principal’s office. Her words had weighed on me for years.

Jen Morgan was a nurse at the Queen’s Cove hospital. I didn’t realize she’d be here for career day. I hadn’t asked Miri who else had agreed to come.

“Hi, Finn,” she said, gaze flicking over my eye.

Fuck. I had such stupidly high hopes for today and it was sliding downhill, fast.

“Jen.” I pushed my shoulders back. I felt like I should be wearing a tie or something. I pointed at my eye. “This is from surfing.”

She nodded once. “I heard you moved in above the bar.”

My ears burned hot. “Yep.”

Yes, I moved in above the bar knowing Olivia would hate it, but I was desperate to spend more time with her.

“Joe really helped me out.” I cleared my throat again. “Not a lot of options coming into the busy season.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Mhm.”

We stared at each other.

“Finn.” Olivia appeared in the doorway, pink haircut pulled back into a bun, choppy bangs held back with a black headband. She wore a black tank top with a green plaid shirt open over it. She stared at me in surprise.

I knew she had worn that stupid Guy Fieri shirt the other day to get to me. No way would she wear it normally. A smile curved up on my mouth at the sight of her. She looked fucking cute in that tank top.

She made a face at my black eye. “Did you get into a fight?”

“No,” I sighed. “Surfing with Wyatt.”

Frustration hitched in my shoulders. I was going to be correcting a lot of people over the next few days.

She glanced up and down at my firefighter’s gear. “Nice uniform.” The corner of her mouth kicked up like she was trying not to smile, and energy crackled in my chest.

Iknewit was a good idea, wearing my gear. I gave her a beaming smile. I could practically see her walls crumbling. True love, here we come. Any minute now.

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