Chapter 18
eighteen
HARPER
“M mm… nice view.”
I whip around from where I’m looking out the sliding glass door to see Maven with a shit-eating grin.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I turn and walk away from the window.
She laughs. “Sure you don’t.”
When I arrived home from work, I called for Finn, since his truck was here, but couldn’t find him in the house. When I looked outside, I saw him shirtless and in the midst of some kind of workout routine in the backyard.
I walk over to the fridge to figure out something for dinner. There’s not much in here. “It doesn’t matter anyway. Now that we’re going to be coparents, we can’t be anything more. No way am I going to risk screwing up that relationship for my kid.”
When I come up empty in the fridge, I search through the cupboards.
“Is that what you two have agreed on?” she asks.
I shrug. “Not in so many words, but I’m pretty sure we’re on the same page.” I sigh. Grilled cheese and tomato soup it is. I’m going to have to learn how to cook better meals if I’m going to be a mother.
“What if you two could be a real couple? Wouldn’t that be even better for the baby?” She slides onto one of the stools at the breakfast bar.
“In a perfect world, sure. But there’s no guarantee we wouldn’t end up hating each other if we tried.”
She rocks her head back and forth. “True, but there are no guarantees for anything in life.”
Movement out the window catches my eye. “He’s coming back in.”
Maven turns on the stool when she hears the sliding glass door open. “You must be Finn. We met briefly at Palmer’s wedding, but I didn’t get to know you as well as Harper did apparently.”
“Maven!” My mouth hangs open.
Finn chuckles good-naturedly and walks over to her, hand extended. At least his shirt is back on now, though it clings to his sweat-dampened skin. “Good to meet you, Maven. Thanks so much for letting me stay here.”
“Of course. The pleasure is all mine. Especially if you keep doing shirtless workouts in the backyard.” She chuckles.
Finn blushes, and damn, it’s sexy. “Sorry, I haven’t found a gym here yet. Just trying to stay in shape in case I have to do a fitness test, if I can even get an interview around here.”
Maven’s head cocks. “What do you do?”
“I was a firefighter back in Vermont. I’m hoping I can keep that going here in Alaska.”
“You should talk to my dad.”
Finn glances at me where I’m buttering the bread at the counter. “Is he the one who works in Anchorage? Harper mentioned him.”
Maven nods. “The one and only. He’ll put in a good word for you.”
“We’re going to see your mom in a couple days to figure out my due date, so I planned to mention it to her when we’re there.” I pull the drawer open and reach for the can opener.
“Good plan. The way to get my dad to do anything is through my mom.” She smiles, her amber eyes lighting up.
“Do either of you want a grilled cheese and tomato soup?” I ask, holding up the unopened can of soup.
“Not me,” Maven says, sliding off the stool. “I actually have a date tonight.”
“Oooh, do tell.” I set the can of soup on the counter.
“Not much to tell. I met him at the gas station when I was in Greywall. I know that doesn’t sound romantic, but beggars can’t be choosers.”
I laugh. “Well, have a good time. Send me your location, all right?”
“Yes, Mom .” She emphasizes the last word as she always does when I tell her this kind of thing. But this time her eyes grow wide and get an excited gleam. “I just realized that actually fits now.”
I shake my head and roll my eyes. “Have fun. I might be gone by the time you come back down, but make sure you send me your location,” I call after her as she leaves the room.
“Where are you headed?” Finn asks.
“I’m going by Palmer’s place to catch up.”
“I have to pick Hudson up later. We’re heading out to do the same. Want to head over together?”
It shouldn’t be a big deal to say yes. I mean, it only makes sense. Why would we take two cars? But it also feels like a couple thing to do.
I’m probably overthinking it, so I say, “Sure. You didn’t answer me about dinner though. You hungry?”
“If you don’t mind. I was just going to take a quick shower.” He nods in the direction of the stairs.
“No worries. You do that while I get this ready. I’ll call you.”
He smiles and thanks me before heading out of the kitchen.
Seeing him sweaty reminds me of the night we spent together. I give my head a shake.
Don’t go there.
I prepare dinner, and when it’s ready, I call up the stairs for Finn, but he doesn’t answer. I try one more time, and when I hear nothing back, I head up the stairs. Maven is in her bedroom with the door closed, music going, so I figure maybe he didn’t hear me.
The bathroom is opposite of the stairs’ top landing, and when I’m almost at the top of them, the bathroom door swings open. What I see can only be described as the beginning of a great porno. Or maybe it’s just these damn pregnancy hormones.
Steam surrounds Finn where he’s stopped in the threshold wearing just a towel around his waist. His tanned skin glistens over his muscled chest and abs.
I can’t help but let my gaze roam over him and all the tattoos down his arms, his chest, and further.
My tongue licks my lips of its own accord, and I have to stifle a moan because I know exactly what that bulge under the towel is, and I know how well he can use it.
Finn clears his throat. “Dinner’s ready?”
My eyes snap up to meet his. “Um, yeah. I called, and you didn’t answer.”
He thumbs over his shoulder. “Sorry, probably didn’t hear it with the bathroom fan. I’ll be right down.”
I nod and turn, holding the railing and hurrying down the stairs to give myself some space from this man I don’t seem to be able to remember I should be staying away from—at least romantically.
* * *
An hour later, Finn pulls his rental truck into Palmer’s driveway.
“Do you want me to just send Hudson out?” I ask, but I see the door open, and Hudson is already headed our way. “Never mind.”
We both chuckle.
“I’ll text you to let you know when we’re on our way back,” Finn says.
“Okay. Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
He laughs. “I’m not sure that really leaves any options out, does it?”
I playfully roll my eyes and get out of the truck, saying a quick hello to Hudson as I pass him, then heading inside. I’m not sure if Palmer has her cochlear implant on, so I don’t bother calling for her. I check the living room first and get lucky, finding her and Adley.
“The party can start, I’m here!” I hold my hands up over my head, as well as the bag of chips I brought—salt and vinegar, Adley’s favorite.
Adley squeals and jumps up off the couch, rushing over to give me a hug.
“How are you, kiddo?”
She pulls away and takes the chips from me, running back over to the couch.
“Adley, that was rude,” Palmer says out loud but also signs to Adley. “Harper asked you a question, and you don’t just rip a bag of chips out of someone’s hands.”
Adley frowns at her mom. “But she brought them for me.”
“Guilty as charged,” I say and sit on the couch beside Palmer.
She turns to look at me. “Not helping.”
I raise my hands in front of me. “My bad.”
She nods toward the kitchen. “Let’s go hang in there.”
We get up and make our way into the kitchen to afford us a little more privacy.
“Your bump is starting to show,” I say.
She glances at her stomach where there’s now a slight swell. “Yeah. Seems like you start showing earlier the second time around. At least I am. Do you want anything to drink?”
I shake my head. “I’m good.”
“Hudson tells me that Finn has moved in with you?” she asks as soon as we’re seated at the kitchen table.
“Jeez, men are just as big of gossips as us. He’s moved in, but he’s not moving in. He’s just staying with me until he can find a place to rent.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
I cock my head. “Why are you saying it like that?”
She shrugs. “No reason. What’s his fiancée think of that?”
I shift in my seat. “Actually, he’s not engaged anymore.”
Palmer nods slowly. “Had a feeling that might happen.”
“I can’t say anything more than that. It’s not my story to tell. I’m sure Finn will probably fill Hudson in tonight, and he’ll tell you.”
Her forehead wrinkles. “Interesting. So, he’s moving here for good I take it?” I nod. “And how do you feel about the fact that he’s single and available?”
My head rocks back. “What do you mean? It makes no difference to me.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
I cross my arms. “Okay, what’s with that tonight?”
She shrugs. “It’s just that I saw you guys the morning after the wedding, and you two seemed pretty smitten with each other. I guess I’m just wondering if the two of you plan to see if there could be something between you.”
I’m already shaking my head before she finishes talking. “Not happening. The priority is the baby.”
“Is that what he says?” She arches a dark eyebrow.
“Well, we haven’t talked about it, but…”
“But… you have no idea where he’s at then. I understand not wanting to complicate things, I do, but you two need to have a conversation and make sure you’re on the same page.”
She’s right, I realize. As uncomfortable as it might be, we do need to talk about it.
I groan and let my head drop back, not looking forward to having that conversation. But I guess this is what it means to become a parent—choosing to do the hard things.