Page 24 of The Nicest Thing

"This is crazy," I said.

Finn smiled. "Which part? The part where we're on our way to the biggest romance book conference in existence? Or that I'm playing chauffer to the most popular author on the guest list?"

I cracked a grin at that.

"Every name on that list is bigger than mine, Finn," I said. My lips fell a second later. "And I'm sure none of them have lied to their readers. Unlike me."

"Or," Finn went on, completely ignoring my comment, "is it the part where we fit all those boxes in the car? No easy task by the way. My arms and mind got a workout. It was like the literary version of Tetris with all the books."

My brow furrowed. "Do you think I brought too many?"

"I—"

"I worried it was too much."

"Rose, it's fine," he soothed.

"But I wasn't sure," I rambled. "I mean, I've never done this before. Is it better to bring too much or too little? Obviously, I also had to think about the cost—but Grandma Rose is good now, thankfully. So, it's okay if I lose a little money on this trip—which I definitely will."

"You don't know that."

"I do, Finn. You know what they say. Liars never prosper."

"It was one tiny lie, Rose."

"Yeah"—I sighed—"and if it gets out, I'm finished. The backlash from the book community will be devastating."

He shrugged. "Then we don't let it get out."

"I'm not sure I can keep lying…or if I even want to. You're involved, and that's not fair to you."

"Hey," Finn said, "I like being your book husband."

I smiled despite myself at his words. "I like it too. But even without karma coming to bite me, who'd want my books when I'm surrounded by so many amazing romance writers?"

He shot me a stern look. "Tons of people."

"What if no one comes to our table? What if we end up having to bring all these books back home?"

"That's impossible," he said. "You had some preorders. Right?"

I did.

But not enough to fill the back of his SUV.

My eyes travelled to the stacks of boxes, and I winced.

"It'll be fine," Finn repeated.

"Yeah…I hope so," I said.

"I know it, Rose."

Lightning split the sky mere moments before a crack of thunder boomed.

Was that a sign? Rain pelted the windshield with a vengeance.

We were on a small backroad, having taken a detour because according to the GPS it was supposed to save 10 minutes.

It was midday, but it was dark enough to be nighttime.

"Anyway, I meant this," I said, staring out of the windshield, squinting to see through the rain and failing. "I can't believe this weather."

"It's not so bad," he said.

Two more bolts of lightning shot through the sky in quick succession, the thunder hot on its heels. We must've been right in the center of the storm.

I shot Finn a look, and he shrugged.

"Okay, so maybe it is. But we'll get there, slowly but surely."

"Slowly but surely," I repeated.

But the truth was I wasn't so sure.

The rain started when we were about an hour into the drive.

It'd only gotten heavier, the drops running together, pouring down in sheets like a waterfall.

I'd never seen thunder and lightning like this, but the rain was the scariest part.

It affected not only the roads but visibility.

Honestly, if things kept going or got worse, I wasn't sure how much farther we could go.

"How can you see?" I asked Finn.

"No worries, Rose. Your book husband has perfect vision."

I grunted. "You forget I've seen your reading glasses."

"Okay, 20/30, but the doc says that's even better."

Thunder crashed, shaking the car.

"This is some bad weather, though," Finn mumbled.

"It's apocalyptic."

"Let me know if you see the Four Horsemen."

I smiled despite myself.

"You should write a series about them. Bet that'd make a killer romance."

"It would," I agreed, "but I don't know if I can do paranormal or urban fantasy."

"Aren't those two of your favorites?"

"Yeah, to read. But that doesn't mean I can write it," I said with a laugh.

"You can do anything," he said back.

My heart warmed. Finn said it like he meant it, and I wished I had as much faith in myself as he had in me. I'd opened my mouth to respond when Finn's phone went off. Emmy's name flashed on the screen, and he groaned. I lifted a brow at that.

"Problem?" I said. "It's just Emmy."

"That's the problem," he muttered before pushing accept. "Hey, Em. Can I call you later?"

"Hey traitor," Emmy said back. "No, you can't. I heard what you did."

"Gonna have to be more specific."

"You invited Seaver onto an O'Brien family call—which by the way I was conveniently left out of. What the what, Finn?"

I'd known Emmy for a long time. But even if I hadn't, I would know she was pissed by the tone of her voice.

"You heard about that, huh?" Finn said stalling.

"Of course, I did," she said, "and don't try to distract me."

"I'm not. Rose and I are driving through really bad weather."

Thought you said it wasn't so bad, I mouthed at him.

He shrugged while watching the road intently. "I need to focus, Em."

"Fine," Emmy said, "but I just want you to know that I am very displeased."

"Noted."

"Also betrayed."

"It wasn't anything. I just needed some advice."

"So, you went to my archnemesis to get it?" she said. "I really can't believe you, Finn. He's a terrible, unreliable, fickle person. I don't know why you'd go to someone like that over your sister."

Finn shook his head, and even with the rain, I heard him sigh.

"Hi Emmy," I said. "How's it going?"

"Rose," she said, voice suddenly breezy and full of sunshine, "it's awesome to hear your voice. I miss you already."

I nearly laughed. "But I've been gone less than a day."

"It's not a crime to miss my roomie."

"No, it's not. And I miss you like crazy too."

"Thanks. It's nice to have loyal friends," she said with a sniff. "Especially when I have a brother like Finn."

"I really don't think he meant to leave you out," I said.

Finn nodded.

"He looks super sad and contrite right now."

"Good," Emmy murmured. "He should be."

"But I thought you and Seaver were cool now," I added. "After what happened at Christmas…well, didn't you make up?"

Her sigh was heavy. "You mean when he made me think he cared about me then ghosted me—again? Yeah, I thought we were fine too. Guess you and I were both wrong."

I frowned. "He did that?"

"Yep."

"Asshole."

"Yeah," she said again.

"Did he say goodbye this time, or did he just up and disappear?"

"Oh, I told him to go."

I jerked back in surprise. "You did?"

"Hmmm."

"And you're mad now because he did what you asked?" I said slowly.

"Rose, come on," she said with a scoff. "I asked him to give me time. I didn't ask him to leave me alone forever. It's been months."

"Emmy."

"Months," she repeated. "I mean, if Seaver really wanted me, he'd be camped out on our lawn, holding up a boombox, playing sad songs or something equally romantic. You know what I'm saying?"

I bit back laugh. "You can't be angry at him for doing what you asked."

"Want to bet?"

The laugh couldn't be repressed this time even with Emmy's grumbling on the other end.

"It's not funny."

"It absolutely is," I said. "Emmy, just call him. Or better yet, go over to June's garage and yell at him for staying away. I don't know Seaver well, but I'm sure he'd love that."

"He would," Finn confirmed.

Emmy merely sniffed. "As if I'd give him the satisfaction."

"Don't be mad at me okay, Em?" Finn said then. "I know you and Seaver have issues. But I really didn't think you'd mind if I talked to him. And I know I should've included you on the call, but…it was regarding something I wasn't sure I could talk to you about."

Was it my imagination or had his eyes flicked to me for a second before snapping back to the road?

Surprising me, Emmy said, "Okay, I get it. But you can talk to me about anything. You remember that, Finn O'Brien."

"Yeah, I will," he said.

"And know that if you leave me out again, I will find out."

"Because of Dex."

"Because I know everything," she corrected.

The weather was so bad I couldn't even tell if we were on the road anymore.

"It's getting bad out here," Finn said, echoing my thoughts. "Gotta go, Em."

"Be safe," she said. "Oh and Rose, I hope the book conference is amazing. Bring me back something, please?"

"Duh, as if you even have to ask," I said. "Any specific requests?"

"Spicy—but no hockey."

"Gotcha."

"Finn?"

"Yeah?" he said, leaning forward in his seat to see. The rain had us slowing almost to a crawl. The slip and slide of the tread on the tires against the road was more than a little concerning.

"About that call, I have some advice for you."

"Emmy, don't—"

"You have to take a big swing if you want to hit a homerun," she said. "That's all I wanted to say. You've got this, baby brother."

Finn seemed to sigh in relief. "Yeah, thanks, Em. Love you."

"Love you both," she said then disconnected.

Looking to Finn, I tilted my head. "Was the call about baseball?"

Finn shook his head. "Ah, not really."

"Oh, Emmy mentioned a homerun, so I thought…"

"Cops," Finn replied.

I frowned. "You were talking about the police?"

"No," Finn said and gestured in front of us. Suddenly, I saw the blue lights flashing up ahead. "Looks like there's something going on up here."

A second later, we found out what.

"Sorry, kids," the officer said after we pulled to a stop and rolled the window down. "Tree got struck by lightning a few miles up ahead. The road won't be passable at least until the morning."

My heart sank.

"Oh," Finn said, "sorry you have to be out in all this."

"S'okay. That's the job." She tilted her head. "You'll need to find somewhere to stay."

"Do you have any suggestions?" I asked. "We're kind of far from home, and we have to be somewhere tomorrow."

The officer shrugged. "Well, you won't find much out here. There's a cabin a little ways back, belongs to me and my husband. You're welcome to stay the night there at no cost if you want."

"Thanks," Finn said, "I think we'll take you up on that."