Page 42 of Strictly Business
“I’m holding you to that, Knox.”
Knox salutes her, and I can’t help but smile. He seems like a sweet kid. Wonder what he is doing with Finn?
“I’ll email you with some times that we can meet this week,” Nina says to me.
“Damn, I thought I was off the hook,” I laugh.
“Not quite. Between the two of you, I have my work cut out for me.”
“Just remember, we love you, Nin,” Finn says before he is pulled to the side by an older woman. I recognize her as one of the volunteers and social workers that Sasha introduced to me on Thursday. She wraps Finn in a tight embrace, and her gratitude is palpable as she holds his face between her hands when they part. The woman beckons a young boy closer from a few feet away.
“Put your eyes back in your head,” my brother snickers ripping my attention from the scene. I realize we’re the only ones left standing here — Nick and Nina have left, and Caitlin and Liv have gone to get a funnel cake from the stand a little ways down.
“What are you yammering about?”
“If you don’t stop staring at him like that, someone might think you like him or something.”
“Oh god,” I choke on imaginary vomit. “I think I just threw up a little… Josh, that’s disgusting.” He doesn’t seem convinced. “You think I like Finn?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You implied it.”
Josh shrugs. “Do you?”
“What?” I practically shriek catching the attention of the group a few feet away. I can see the glare Finn shoots me through his sunglasses before he turns back to the woman with an apology. “Josh, how could you even ask me something like that?”
“It’s just a question, Mic. Maybe that’s why you guys have always hated each other… It’s secretly your love for one another.”
I think I might throw up. “Josh, stop talking.”
“You didn’t deny it.”
“We do not like each other, not like that… I can promise you that.”
“Good thing considering you’re married. Or are you? I haven’t seen him or your ring in a while. Come to think of it, I haven’t heard you mention said husband in a while.”
Okay, yep, going to vomit. Where is the trash can? Scanning the area for the nearest one, I meet concerned brown eyes under raised sunglasses. He continues the conversation in front of him, but his focus has shifted to me. Knox notices and takes control of the conversation allowing Finn to step away. “You okay, Shortcake?” The concern in his voice catches me off guard. “You look a little pale.”
“She’s good, man. Just being a little dramatic.”
“Michaela,” it’s forceful, yet soft. He touches my arm, fingers wrapping around my wrist when I jump slightly. “Are you okay?”
“Dude, she’s fine,” Josh reassures him, but Finn doesn’t budge. “Finn.”
“Yeah,” I breathe out, but I know that I’m going to have to put on a show for my brother. Especially after what Finn just did. I rip my arm from his grasp. “I’m fine, Sheffield. What’s your deal?”
Finn’s features straighten and his eyes narrow as he towers over me. “Good, then stop causing a scene. Today isn’t about you.”
I swallow any hope of a comeback.
“Alright, you two, break it up,” Josh rolls his eyes. “Now isn’t the time.”
“Everything okay?” Cait asks when she and Liv return with funnel cakes.
“Take her home,” Finn instructs them taking a step back finally. “She’s had enough fun for the day.”
“You don’t get to decide when I leave.” I try to follow him, but Josh holds me back reminding me we have an audience.