“No,” Bi
llings said firmly. “No work right now. This break is a requirement. You’ll get everything you need when it’s time. The only reason I’m telling you anything now is so that you’re motivated to keep doing what you’re doing.”
Finn nodded, determination making his muscles go tight. “Got it.”
“And Dorsey?”
“Yeah?”
“Do all you can to enjoy this break. Spend time with your lady. See your family, your friends. Do whatever it is that gets you smiling like you were in that picture because you’re going to need those memories going into this assignment. It’s an ugly one, and it’s gonna take a while.”
Finn swallowed hard. “Right. I’ll be ready for it. And I’m visiting my family tomorrow.”
“Good.” Finn could almost picture Billings giving that curt nod he did when he dismissed people after meetings. “I’ll check in soon.”
Finn ended the call and leaned back in the chair, mind whirling. Something in Billings’s voice was off. Whatever this next assignment was, his boss was more concerned than normal. He wanted Finn to be mentally sound—that was a given—but something else was there, too. Finn knew if he asked, he wouldn’t get any answers, but at least he now had an end goal in sight. They’d let him back in the field if he could prove he wasn’t irreparably damaged from the last job, that he wouldn’t go rogue on them. That he was normal.
Or mostly. Because God knows he’d never be totally normal. He wasn’t even sure what that looked like anymore. Seeing his family tomorrow would only highlight that. But bailing on the visit wasn’t going to cut it. Billings would expect more photos, more proof that Finn was stable and ready for this job. He needed to keep up appearances, and Liv was no longer here to help. She didn’t say she wasn’t coming back, but she hadn’t called or texted. He’d messed things up. He needed to call her, apologize for taking advantage of the situation, try to get things back on track…
But when he lifted his phone to call, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He didn’t want to be someone’s charity case. If she didn’t want to be here, he wasn’t going to guilt her into it. He’d figure it out on his own.
* * *
Dread curled in Finn’s stomach as he rummaged through the pantry, looking for something to bring to his parents’ house. His mother used to make comments to her father if a guest came to lunch or dinner without a hostess gift—like it was some egregious sin. He didn’t know if he was considered a guest now or if he still qualified as family, but he wasn’t going to take any chances.
He grabbed a dusty bottle of tequila that he found tucked in the back of the pantry. He frowned down at it. For a dinner with friends this would probably work, but he doubted his parents were planning a margarita lunch. That left him with canned corn or a sleeve of Ritz crackers. Neither was going to pass muster. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked the time. His mom used to love the macaroons from one of the local bakeries. It wasn’t exactly on the way, but he could leave enough time before lunch to swing by and pick up some. If that failed, there was a wine store next door to the bakery. At least wine had the added bonus of taking the edge off the awkward meeting.
He set his tequila down, resisting the urge to take a swig of it to prepare him for this visit. Part of him wanted to text and say he’d gotten a flat tire and couldn’t make it, but knowing his family, they’d just send someone to pick him up.
He shook his head. “Get it together, man.”
He’d faced down criminals who wouldn’t hesitate to cut his throat and ask questions later, but one family get-together and he was ready to bolt. What was the worst they could do? Make him feel guilty for not being around? That was a given. Comment on how he’d let the family business down by not following in his father’s footsteps? No doubt.
He could survive all of that. If he wanted to get back on the job, this was part of the assignment. Billings wanted him to visit his family. Plus, Liv had made a good point. His parents were getting older and wouldn’t always be around. He also had sisters he missed. This was the only family he had. He needed to do this, even though he didn’t feel like he belonged in their world anymore.
With that internal pep talk complete, he grabbed his keys and headed toward the front door. But when he swung it open and saw someone standing there, he jumped back and cocked his fist, ready to use it as a weapon.
Liv lifted her palms in defense, her eyes wide. “Don’t hit me!”
All the air rushed out of his lungs as he lowered his arm. “Shit, Liv. You scared the hell out of me.”
She winced. “Sorry. I was about to knock, but you beat me to it. Um…surprise?”
The hopeful look and head tilt she gave him made him laugh despite his pounding heartbeat. “I’d say so. What are you doing here?”
She spread her arms out at her sides, revealing her flowered sundress, just enough cleavage to make his mouth water, and a smile. “If you’re still looking for a sidekick for the parental gauntlet, I’m here to provide my services.”
His lips parted. “Really?”
She shrugged and smoothed her hair behind her ears. “Yeah, if you still want me to go and if I’m not too late.”
If he still wanted her to go? Like she wasn’t doing him a huge, uncomfortable favor. Like she wasn’t the best damn surprise he could imagine. He wanted to sweep her up and squeeze her, he was so happy to see her standing there. “Of course I do, and you’re early, actually. But are you sure you want to volunteer as tribute? I’m still not sure I want to volunteer.”
She laughed and stepped into his space to give him a quick peck on the lips. “Yes. And tribute? You’ve been Netflix-ing.”
He tossed his keys on the table by the door and gave in to the temptation to touch her. He wrapped his arms around her, the tension in his shoulders easing at the feel of her, at the grapefruit scent of her shampoo, at just…her, being there. After a week of radio silence, he’d been convinced he’d screwed the whole thing up, scared her off. He’d half expected her to never come back to the lake house. Seeing her standing there was like a potent drug injected straight into his veins. “Of course I’m Netflix-ing. I am properly recluse-ing and getting over being dumped by this girl who used me for my body.”
She touched her forehead to his chest. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. I didn’t dump you, though.”