Page 20 of Three Bossy Boyfriends (Honeysuckle Harbor #3)

Finley

“You really didn’t have to do this,” I tell Girl Kyle as I ride in the passenger seat of her car. “I’m fine.”

If she only knew how fine I am, she would probably be outraged.

“I know you’re a strong woman, but I just don’t think you should be driving right now,” Kyle says. Her face is turned away from me as she looks to the left to make a turn. “What just happened must be an incredible shock.”

Considering that I am well aware of the feelings Evan and Christopher have for each other, I feel a little weird about being deceptive to her.

Kyle is actually being very nice to me. I’ve never had a lot of girlfriends.

My sisters were always my built-in best friends, and when I went away to college I developed a friendship with my roommate, Desiree, but I never found a “girl gang.” I certainly didn’t have one in high school.

Then, by the time law school rolled around, it was a competitive atmosphere, and I naturally just gravitated toward the guys.

I’d love to have more girlfriends in Honeysuckle Harbor. Especially ones that aren’t hand-me-down friends of Frannie and Fiona, like Caroline. I like Caroline, but she’s their friend, not mine.

Kyle is a totally put-together rule follower, so not exactly a personality match for me, but she’s also been nothing but nice to me since the day I started at the firm. I should invite her out for a drink sometime.

“It was definitely a shock,” I say to her now, and that much is the truth.

Not that Evan and Christopher were caught kissing, obviously, even if I’m a little surprised they forgot where they were and the whole plan we have in play.

I’m shocked that Evan has been fired. I feel outraged and annoyed by that.

Theoretically, I get it. But emotionally, it infuriates me on his behalf.

Evan is the first one in the office every morning and usually the last to leave.

He’s fantastic with clients, he has a memory that an elephant would envy, and his strategies are always thorough and brilliant. He leaves no room for error.

It’s been niggling at me all afternoon that if Evan and I weren’t fake dating and having real sex—or had, it was only once—this wouldn’t have happened.

Because if they had been caught in a compromising position without me in the equation, maybe Mary Grace could have been talked off the ledge.

And maybe they wouldn’t have been in a compromising position if Christopher wasn’t thinking about Evan fucking and feeling more than a little bit left out.

Here he’s been lusting after Evan for a year, and I swoop in and get fucked first. That’s bound to stir up a hefty dose of give-me-some-of-that.

“I don’t know if I should say this or not…” Kyle starts.

That has me curious. “Sure, go for it.”

“I don’t know. I can’t decide if this will make you feel better or worse.”

“Well, now you’ve already said something, so you have to tell me. Otherwise, I’ll just spiral.”

“I saw Christopher and Evan in the conference room once, and Christopher was doing that thing where you stroke someone’s hand. You know, like seductively.”

That almost makes me giggle. She really didn’t need to add that latter part. I absolutely knew what she meant.

“I think they’ve been interested in each other for a while.” Kyle glances at me. “Not that it makes it okay,” she adds hastily. “I’m not saying that. It’s so not cool. I’m just saying I think there was…tension there.”

Acting like the injured party when it’s not even remotely true is hard as hell. I’m not a very good actress. I wear my feelings on my face. I also don’t like the idea that any of this is painting Evan and Christopher in a bad light.

Neither of them did anything wrong other than decide they wanted to be lawyers.

When I don’t respond, Kyle starts babbling.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.

That makes it sound worse. Like Evan didn’t have honest intentions with you.

God, Finley, I’m so sorry. You don’t deserve this.

You and Evan have been dating for nine months, and now I feel so terrible about all this that I don’t even know what I’m saying.

I’m so freaking awkward when emotional things are happening. ”

“It’s okay,” I tell her. “I’m kind of glad to see that you have a flaw. Until just now I was convinced you were perfect.”

Kyle gives a startled laugh as she pulls onto my sisters’ street. “Definitely not perfect. I’ve been described as extremely capable yet frighteningly cold-hearted.”

“That’s really harsh.” It is. “You’re definitely capable, but cold-hearted is far from the truth. You’ve always been sweet and helpful to me.”

“A Tinder date told me that.”

“Well, fuck him.” I mean it. “He was obviously intimidated by your awesomeness.”

“Her, actually. But thank you. And I’m supposed to be cheering you up, not the other way around.”

“You’re doing an excellent job. Want to come in and hang out for a little bit? I could use a buffer between me and my sisters’ mothering. They’re going to be so sympathetic it’s going to hurt.”

“I’d love to if you’re sure you want company.”

“I’m sure. I’ve already gotten ten OMG texts from Fiona and seven that just have crying emojis from Frannie.

My mom also tried to FaceTime me, which I did not answer because I was at the office, and my dad sent me a text that just said, “We love you.” I love them all for it, but everyone is just a mess. ”

My point is proven when the front door is thrown open before I’m even halfway up the porch steps and my sisters come rushing out.

“Finley, oh my God, baby,” Frannie says, throwing her arms around me and hugging me so hard it hurts.

It actually feels comforting. I did have a rough day, if not for the reason everyone thinks. I pull back and stare at her in astonishment. “Are you crying?”

She is. Frannie has tears running down her face as she nods. “I’m so sad for you. I could just…slap that man!”

I wipe the tears off of her face, very touched by her anger. “Those are fighting words from you, Francine. Damn. It’s okay. And please never call me baby ever again.”

“Come inside. You need ice cream immediately.”

Fiona also reaches out and gives me a fierce hug. “I love you,” she says.

“I love you too.” I lean into the embrace for a minute. I’m suddenly aware of how fortunate I am to have a family who loves me this much and who will always have my back. I need to be more appreciative of them and that fact. “This is my coworker and friend, Kyle.”

“I think we’ve met once,” Frannie says. “You were Grayson’s nanny, right?”

“Briefly,” Kyle says. “It didn’t last long once he and Caroline started dating.”

“Thanks for driving Finley home.” Fiona is looking at Kyle in a way that I can’t quite interpret.

She almost looks ready to shoo Kyle off of the porch. I guess she’s just being protective of me in my so-called time of need.

“She’s coming in to hang out for a bit,” I tell my sisters. “Maybe we can paint our nails and trash talk men.”

It sounds way more flippant than I intend it to.

Fiona glances over at me. “You don’t seem that upset.”

“I bounce back. As a former goth girl turned attorney, I focus on revenge.”

“God, please no more spells,” Fiona groans.

“Spells?” Kyle asks, looking nervous as we all go into the house.

I drop my bag containing my heels and rip off my blazer. “It’s not what it sounds like.”

“It’s exactly what it sounds like!” Frannie protests. She turns to Kyle. “She bought a book on how to cast spells when we were in high school and was always running around trying to collect someone’s hair.”

To her credit, Kyle doesn’t look shocked or appalled. “I had a voodoo doll in high school I got when we went on a cruise that left out of New Orleans. I bullied my older brother into convincing our parents to let us go get beignets alone and then I made him take me to a voodoo shop. So I get it.”

Now I’m sure Kyle and I can be friends. “Did you stick any pins in it?” I ask her as I take her coat from her and hang it up on the hooks by the door.

“Hell, yes. I pretended it was Damon Ward after he asked the Swedish exchange student to Homecoming instead of me.” Kyle shakes her head and smiles.

“To this day, I can’t decide if I was upset that my crush, Damon, didn’t ask me.

Or mad that he asked my other crush, Alice, the exchange student.

She was so gorgeous and her accent…” Kyle sighs.

“I still think she’s the one who got away. ”

We all plop down on the couch and various chairs. “Did any tragedy befall Damon Ward?”

“Not that I’m aware of, which is good. I can admit now I was being overly dramatic. He didn’t even know I liked him.”

“Hear that?” Fiona tells me. “Overdramatic. Kyle can admit it.”

“I’m not going to apologize for casting a bad luck spell on Tucker Hastings.”

“Our client?” Kyle’s jaw drops.

“Yes. He called me the weird, creepy girl in high school.” Though now it’s hard to muster up my usual anger and resentment when I think about Tucker.

Now all I can think about is what it would feel like to hate fuck him.

To have his big, massive body pinning mine down, driving his thick, hard cock into me over and over…

Everyone seems to be waiting for me to say something. My phone buzzes. I quickly stand up when I see it’s a text from Evan. “Does anyone need a drink?”

“Bring some wine,” Fiona says.

I open the text.

Call me when you can. Are you okay?

Yes, everything is totally fine. I can’t right now, still with Kyle. I will asap.

He just sends me a kiss emoji back.

I start typing again as I absently stroll into the kitchen.

How are you? Your job, Evan. I’m so sorry.

It should have been done a long time ago. I’m good.

“Who are you texting?”

I jump. Frannie has appeared behind me in the kitchen, and she’s eyeing me carefully as if she’s worried I’ll burst into tears at any given moment.

“Evan texted me,” I say truthfully. “He wants to talk.”

“Do you want to talk to him?”

“Of course.”

“Then you should. We’re here to support you, Finley.”

I reach my arms out to volunteer a hug. I almost think Frannie needs it more than me. She looks devastated on my behalf, and I feel guilty as hell.

Given that I never offer hugs, she looks delighted, and I feel slightly less horrible.

While she’s reaching to pull down wine glasses, I get another text, this one from Christopher.

I’m sorry. Are you okay? I feel like a complete asshole this has blown back on you.

I’m fine, but you can make it up to me.

How is that?

I bite my lip. I want to say this. I need to say this. It’s a fantasy that has taken hold, and I can’t let go.

The three of us. You, me, Evan. One night together.

Before I can hit send, my phone rings, cutting off my text screen. It’s my brother, Ford.

I decide to answer it because he’ll just keep calling. “Hi Ford. I’m okay, and no, I don’t need a contract killer.”

“I wouldn’t hire it out. I will do it myself if you say the word.”

I roll my eyes, and Frannie raises her eyebrows. “What is he saying?” she asks.

Ford is talking again, and Fiona is calling something out from the living room, and I can’t focus on what anyone is saying. It also hits me that Fiona and Kyle are now sitting very, very close together and my sister’s hand is on Kyle’s thigh.

What the hell? Do they know each other?

The front doorbell rings. Fiona gets up to answer it.

“No one is going to hurt Evan. He lost his job. That’s punishment enough.”

“Is it?” Ford asks. “Because I can think of a few things that would hurt more.”

“Stop, seriously. And how dare any of you label me as the dramatic one in this family?”

“Look,” Fiona says, holding up a bag by the front door. “Dad sent six pints of your favorite ice cream. When Dad doesn’t have the right words, he sends mint chocolate chip.”

That actually makes me tear up.

My family loves me.

And for the first time since I got back, I’m really, really glad to be home.

It’s late, really late, when I finally get up the nerve to hit send on my text to Christopher.

Might as well make the most of my time in Honeysuckle Harbor.