Page 83 of Finn Rhodes Forever

Olivia

“We can’t haveyour baby shower at a strip club,” I told Sadie as the four of us gathered in the living room of the home she shared with Holden. Around us, paintings hung on the walls, some Sadie’s and some other local artists’. The home in the woods had huge windows, dark wood floors, and a mix of antique and modern furniture, giving it an old library vibe.

Sadie pushed her phone at me. “It isn’t a strip club, it’s a specialevent. Miri’s planning it.”

Avery snorted. “Of course she is.”

“She hired a bunch of male strippers from Victoria,” Sadie continued with a big smile. “Everyone’s going to be there. We can’t miss it.”

I scanned Miri’s Instagram post. She was renting out the town community center and bringing in anarray of talented male exotic dancers.

Hannah leaned over. “Can I see that?”

“Really?” My eyebrows shot up in disbelief, handing her the phone. “You, too?”

She blushed, laughing. “I’ve never been.”

On the couch, Sadie rested a hand on her bump. Every time I saw her, it got bigger. Now that she was out of the first trimester, the morning sickness had gone away and she said she was feeling more like herself. Her skin glowed, her hair shone like a shampoo commercial, and even though she still fell asleep at nine every night, she seemed like she had more energy.

“It’ll either be a blast or terrible,” she said.

“Or both,” Avery pointed out.

“Won’t your man be jealous?” I asked Sadie. Holden wasn’t home. Sadie had said he was having dinner with Wyatt and Cora.

She gave me a knowing look. “Won’tyours?”

Going to buy you a house.Four bedrooms for Cora’s cousins.

We stared at each other, and a smile curled up on my mouth.

She pointed at whatever my expression was. “That’s what I thought.” She frowned and tilted her head. “Where’ve you been this week? He’s been at the bar but you haven’t been working.”

I squirmed, fiddling with the edge of the blanket on the couch. I was back to avoiding him because I was a coward. Thankfully, the bar was fully staffed this week and they didn’t need me most nights. The tipping point wasn’t him telling me he was going to buy us a house, and it wasn’t finding my research papers in his closet, or even him telling me he loved me.

It was the way he’d looked at me the next morning when he woke up, like he was relieved I was still there. The soft, affectionate way he had smiled at me made me want to be there when he woke up every day.

Fuck. I was so fucked. The feelings tightened around my throat.

“Busy with school stuff,” I lied, giving her the same excuse I’d given my dad.

The truth was, I couldn’t face Finn. I needed a breather from him. He was too intense, too hot, and around him, my walls of ice were melting.

“He’s different this time,” Hannah said quietly, mouth twisting to the side as she watched me.

Avery frowned and nodded. “Yeah. I’ve noticed that but I can’t put my finger on what it is about him.”

Hannah smiled. “He keeps offering to babysit.”

I made a face. “Really?”

She nodded. “Yep. He spends a lot more time with family than he used to.”

“Oh, yeah,” Sadie said, narrowing her eyes. “He’s been hanging out with Holden a ton.”

Avery hummed, biting her lip, glancing at me with uncertainty.

“What?” I prodded. “Go ahead. I know you want to say something.”

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