Page 42 of Three Bossy Boyfriends (Honeysuckle Harbor #3)

Additionally, Caroline and Ivy have definitely given me an acceptance with this strange new situation with Christopher, Evan, and Tucker I wouldn’t have had anywhere else. My friends in New York wouldn’t have judged me, but they wouldn’t have understood the way Ivy and Caroline do.

But I’ve felt closer to my sisters since being home this time, too. I know they love me, and they’re right when they say that I’ve been the one pushing them away a lot of the time.

And most of all, Christopher and Evan and Tucker are a part of me feeling more comfortable and accepted here.

They do see me. And they’re not trying to change me into some perfect version of what they want me to be.

They not only see me as I am, but they see the flaws that I try to cover up with bravado. And they want me anyway.

Feeling a strange bounce in my step that I think is what someone else would call giddy, I head downstairs.

All of the guys are sitting in the living room with cups of coffee in hand, chatting casually.

They all stop talking as I descend the stairs. It's like a crazy movie moment. Three hot men, all stopping what they’re doing and turning to look at me as if they’ve never seen anything more breathtaking in their lives.

I actually giggle.

It’s not like I have some gorgeous ball gown on or they’re waiting for me to head out to some amazing fancy party.

I’m in jeans and we’re going to the café for breakfast.

Still, they all look at me with affection and a hunger that makes my stomach flip.

Yeah, a girl could get used to this.

Is having that from three men overwhelming?

No. I love it.

“Morning.” Christopher is the first one to speak and rise. He crosses to me and presses a kiss to my cheek. “You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you went to get clothes, and I’ve decided to stay.”

He glances back at the other men. “We were just discussing this. Sounds like we all have a lot to talk about.”

“Y’all better have not started talking about rules without me,” I tell him.

“Actually, we did, and then Tucker reminded us that we need to include you.”

I shoot Tucker a little smile. “Good boy.”

His brows rise, but he simply says, “Let’s go to breakfast.”

I giggle, and that giddiness doesn’t dissipate one bit as we head down the sidewalk, Tucker and I in front of Christopher and Evan.

Tucker holds my hand, and he shoots a glance over his shoulder. “Is this okay?” His tone is definitely sarcastic.

Evan looks at Christopher and then nods. “We’ll allow it.”

“Jesus Christ,” Tucker mutters.

I don’t know how their conversation started, and I actually don’t know how the rules discussion is going to go.

All of these men have strong personalities.

I expect Evan to be the most easygoing, of course.

Christopher is mature and open-minded and, I assume, as a master negotiator, will be very good at managing the conversation.

Tucker is a little bit of a wildcard. I don’t know how he’s going to feel about all of this.

He was a lot more easy-going last night about sharing than I expected him to be.

But I’m sure he never pictured himself in a situation like this ongoing.

As we’re drawing close to the café, I notice who’s sitting out front and my steps falter.

Tucker looks down at me with concern. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I just didn’t expect to see my dad this morning.”

Tucker follows my gaze to where my dad is sitting in front of the café playing checkers with Harrison’s grandpa Sam and a couple of his friends.

I know Grandpa and his buddies are here almost every day.

Not so much for the checkers as for the people watching and eavesdropping on the gossip.

But now that my dad is retired, I guess he can’t play golf and frisbee golf every minute of the day.

“Do you want to go back home?” Tucker asks. “I can run to the store. Or we can go into Charleston.”

I take a deep breath. “No, of course not. He’s my dad.”

I love my dad so much. I just want him to be proud of me. But I’m showing up for breakfast with three men. So, we’ll see how that goes.

Yes, my brother is in a polycule, and my family is very cool about it.

They love Ivy, Harrison, and Liam. My dad won’t be upset that I’m with three men.

Probably. It’s more that I won’t be able to define it or say what the plan is.

My brother always knows what he’s doing.

He’s always got a plan, and it always works out.

He’s the opposite of me.

Dad looks up and sees us. His smile is quick and bright, and he gets to his feet.

“Good morning!”

“Hi,” I say, matching his smile and letting him pull me into a big hug.

I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment as I hug him back.

When he lets me go, he extends a hand to Tucker. “Tucker, good to see you.”

“Greg,” Tucker says with an ease in using my dad’s first name that means they are friendly and see each other often.

“Hi, Greg.” Christopher greets him next, extending his hand as well.

There’s a short flash of surprise in my dad’s eyes, but then he takes Christopher’s hand. “Christopher. How are you?”

Christopher makes a point of looking at me and then back to my dad with a smile. “Never been better.”

My dad is an extremely smart man, and I know he registers exactly what’s going on here.

He looks at Evan next. “Hi Evan.”

They shake hands as well. “Hi Mr. Anderson. Good to see you again.”

“Please call me Greg.”

Okay, so far so good.

“So the four of you are coming to breakfast,” my dad says.

And I guess we’re going to just put it right out there.

I take a breath and meet his gaze directly. “Yes. The four of us are coming to breakfast. Together,” I say, emphasizing the last word.

He nods. “I see.” He looks at each of the men. “You have very good taste in women.”

Christopher puts his arm around Evan and hugs him against his side. “We have very good taste in people .”

My dad inclines his head. “Yes.”

I sigh. “Yes, Dad, it’s a little complicated. Of course, right?”

My dad gives me a little frown. “What do you mean?”

“I always make things messy and complicated. So this is no different. But…” I look at each of the guys with smiles. I meet my dad’s eyes again. “It just is what it is. We’ll figure it out.”

He’s still frowning. “It doesn’t seem messy. Actually, you seem very happy.”

I arch both brows. “Well…yes. I am. I’m very happy.”

My dad smiles. “Then it’s actually really simple. It’s always a good idea to do what makes you happy.”

I feel my eyes widen. “Oh. Well…Thank you.”

“So just keep that up,” he says. “And I’m glad to see you. I was going to call you later, but I’m thrilled to ask you about this in person.”

“About what?”

“Charles and I have been talking, and we think that the firm needs to add environmental law to the practice. But of course, we would need a strong lawyer with a passion for it to head up that part of the practice. We’d like for it to be you.”

My eyes widen even further. “You’re…you’re offering me a job ? At your firm ?”

My dad was shocked when I went to law school. I’m not kidding. He was shocked . He didn’t believe me until I emailed him my acceptance letter, and I don’t think he even fully believed I hadn’t forged that until I sent him a copy of my first semester’s transcript.

“Yes. Of course. It’s why I was so glad you took the temporary paralegal position.

I wanted Charles to get to know you. He agrees with me.

You are exactly the right kind of lawyer to fight for the environment.

It takes someone smart and fiery.” He looks at Evan and Christopher.

“No offense to our other partners and associates, but we’re a little…

stuffy. We need someone who isn’t afraid to go outside the box to fight with these corporations. ”

“No offense taken,” Evan says with a grin.

“I agree completely,” Christopher agrees.

Dad looks at me again. “What do you say?”

“I haven’t even passed the bar.”

“Only because you haven’t taken it. You will pass it at the end of July. You can start the very next day if you want to. Or take some time off. Either way, the job is yours.”

I stare at my dad. He’s so sure I’ll pass?

He looks at Christopher. “We were going to bring this to you and Mary Grace, but I wanted to be sure that Finley was interested first. She’s always had her heart set on leaving.

I don’t think she really pictured herself here in South Carolina.

” He chuckles. “But I knew you’d agree when we did bring it to you. You’re a very smart guy.”

I blink rapidly, feeling stinging at the back of my eyes.

I didn’t even realize my father knew I was into environmental law. I also didn’t realize that he understood that I had aspirations outside of South Carolina, and that he was fully accepting of that. I glance at Christopher. He is watching me with an intent gaze.

“Finley would be amazing at that,” he says to my father, not looking away from me. “I just want her to do whatever makes her happy.”

I take a deep breath and look back at my father.

He looks…proud. “I feel exactly the same way. Finley, we just want you to know there are options. And I have to admit I am thrilled to see you with these men. I’m hoping they can help talk you into staying.”

My mouth drops open. I’m not sure if I’m stunned because he wants them to help convince me to stay or because he realizes that might be an actuality.

Or because I just realized that was an actuality.

It’s all hitting me at once, and I’m not sure what to do about it. None of this—the practice or these men—were a possibility as far as I knew twenty-four hours ago.

“I have a lot to think about,” I say.

Dad nods. “Of course. Like I said, options.”

I swallow. “Yes. I…”

Then Evan’s there beside me, his arm around me.

“I think she needs waffles. Let’s get her blood sugar up so she can think clearly.”

I smile at him gratefully. I don’t need to decide this right now. I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, but I don’t want to disappoint anyone either.

“Waffles sound great,” I agree.

“We’ll talk later,” my dad says.

“Of course,” I tell him.

Evan starts to nudge me towards the front door, but as he reaches for the handle, I quickly turn back. I step in close to my dad and put my arms around him. “Thank you, Dad.”

“Of course. I’m so proud of you, Finley. And we’ve missed you so much.”

Those tears start stinging again, and I blink rapidly.

Then my guys are saying friendly goodbyes to my dad, steering me into the café, sliding me into a booth, and ordering me waffles and coffee.

Just exactly what I need.

They are. This is.

My entire world has suddenly turned upside down.