“Normally, I wouldn’t offer,” he whispers. “But you seem like a nice girl so I thought I’d help you out.”
His comment makes me smile, and maybe gives me a little courage, too. “Is that right?”
“Damn straight,” he says. “I meant what I said. That kiss I gave you is just a taste of what’s to come.”
“What if I don’t want another taste?” I ask, obviously lying to both of us.
“Maybe you don’t want it now. But you will.”
I avert my chin. “You really are something else.”
“No. More like just confident, especially after I caught you looking at my ass.”
I gasp, insulted, even though I might have stolen a peek or three. “I was actually looking at your dimple. On your face,” I clarify.
“Not my ass?” he asks as if shocked. “Most girls stare at my ass. What’s wrong with you?”
Again, all I can do is laugh.
“Doesn’t matter,” he says. “It’s only a matter of time.”
“Before I stare at your ass? Finn, I’m not like those other women―the ones who fall all over you when you look at them.” Who am I kidding? By now it’s clear that I am.
Although he’s been grinning and laughing right along with me, his demeanor softens then in a way holds me in place and freezes time. “Maybe that’s why I like you,” he says, no longer joking.
My mouth pops open. He likes me? As in, doesn’t just want to have sex with me? Okay, that may have made him that much hotter.
Someone flips on the exterior lights, drawing our attention back to the house. The doors leading into the man cave slide open and out runs Mattie across the patio and into the large yard. Evie hurries behind him carrying Lynnie. “Sorry,” she says, adjusting her little daughter’s hat when she places her down. “They’re getting restless in there. Would you mind watching them? I’m hoping if they play in the snow it will tire them out and I’ll be able to put them to bed.”
I stand, reaching for what has to be the prettiest little girl on the planet. Like Evelyn, she has fair skin and white-blond hair. I think Evie wanted to name her Arabella or something like that. But since Mattie is technically Mateo Jr., Teo insisted his daughter be called Evelyn like her mother―especially once it was clear she was Evie’s mini-me. Evie agreed only if her nickname was Lynnie, claiming she wanted to be the only Evie in Teo’s life.
“Of course we’ll watch them,” I say, smiling when Lynnie wraps her little hand around my fingers.
Finn jogs after Mattie as I walk Lynnie out into the yard, taking in the way her little boots press into the snow. Evie smiles softly as she watches her little girl explore. Yet it’s the way Finn starts chasing and playing with Mattie that widens her grin.
“Ev, what are you doing, babe?” Teo calls from the doorway. “It’s too cold out there for you.”
It doesn’t matter if she’s wearing a coat, or standing near a fire hot enough to melt steel. Teo is just that protective of her.
“I’ll be right in, love,” she calls over her shoulder.
“He adores you,” I tell her, smiling.
“The feeling is mutual,” she assures me, her delicate features revealing her love for him.
“I know you have a lot going on,” she says, watching as Lynnie places snow in my hands. “But I was wondering if you’d be available to watch our babies on Wednesday night. Teo and I were given tickets to a show, and I’d really like to go if we can.”
I love her kids so I don’t hesitate to answer. “Of course,” I tell her.
“Yeah. Count us in,” Finn answers.
Evie and I turn his way at the same time. He scoops up Mattie and starts spinning him like an airplane. “She didn’t mean you,” I point out.
“No, I didn’t,” Evie agrees. But then something changes in her expression as she continues to watch Finn interact with her son. When her attention cuts back to me, I realize I missed something she seemed to pick up on. “But I think Finn might be able to help you.”
Based on her tone, she doesn’t just mean with her kids.
CHAPTER 7
Sol
“I don’t like this,” Teo says. He turns to Evie. “You said she was bringing a friend.”
Finn lifts his hand and grins. “I’m a friend.”
“Friends are girls,” he says without blinking, his attention now fixed on me. “Don’t you have any girlfriends?”
“I do. But they’re all pretty busy hitting the bars and being irresponsible,” I answer him truthfully.
“Nice,” Teo says.
Evie rubs Teo’s arm, like he doesn’t appear ready to kill me for bringing Finn. “Baby, you promised you’d take me out. When was the last time we were out on a date, with other adults? And with the baby coming, it’s going to be even harder.”
“Fine,” Teo tells Evie, reaching for her hand. He pauses and glances over his shoulder. “Don’t let me catch you making out with my cousin on my couch.”
Finn holds out his hands. “I’m not making any promises. Your cousin’s hot.”