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It was all I’d wanted to hear for the longest time, but I was too distracted to get lost in the moment because Gracie was shouting something to me, and Finn was trying to get her to stop yelling for me.
“Listen, we’re going on a hayride, and I don’t want to make her wait any longer. I need to get going,” I said.
“Yeah, of course. I’ll see you on Monday.” He reached for my hand and squeezed it. He was trying.
This was what I’d wanted.
But I couldn’t get back to Finn and Gracie quickly enough.
I gently pulled my hand away and smiled. “I’ll see you then.”
I was tempted to look back to see if he was watching me, but for whatever reason, my gaze was locked on Finn and Gracie, who were waving at me and laughing.
I had no desire to look back.
And that was unexpected.
thirteen
Finn
I glanceddown at my phone after I slipped on my boots. The family group chat was blowing up this morning.
Georgia
Big day today, Finny. Are you and Reese excited about the interview?
Hugh
You’re going to kill it. Glad you’ll have Reese with you. It’s about time you tell your side of the story.
Brinkley
Agreed. Just act natural. Forget that the whole world will be reading this.
Wow. That’s helpful, Brinks. Thanks.
Cage
Sorry, I’m trying to text, but fucking Maxine followed me into my office, and she’s trying to climb me like a tree right now.
Hugh
Maxine Brooks? The librarian? Isn’t she, like, eighty years old?
Brinkley
Maxine Brooks banned me from the library in high school because I put caution tape over a section of books that I felt were sexist to women.
Georgia
I think Maxine Brooks left town with her lover. I heard the guy was, like, forty years younger than her. She’s a cougar.
Cage
For fuck’s sake. Maxine Brooks did not move away. I just saw her at Cottonwood Café with her boyfriend, who happens to be older than dirt. The dude is pushing ninety. Check your facts, people. I’m talking about Maxine Langley. Martha and Joe’s pig who has a weird obsession with me.
Ahhh… Didn’t that pig try to mount you a few months ago when you made a house call?
