Songs for Cricket by Laine, E. (best books to read in your 20s TXT) 📗

I’ll pay for all of this, but I will.”

Finn dismissed it. “My parents have more money than dirt. Besides, Shelly thinks the guy will do it pro bono.”

Finn, Sawyer, and Shelly were a godsend. I couldn’t imagine how I might have been railroaded if not for them.

“I don’t know how I can ever thank you guys enough.”

“I do,” Finn said.

His eyes sparkled with mischief.

“I’m afraid to ask.”

He laughed. “Why don’t you do me a favor?”

“What’s that?”

“I had dinner plans, but they’ve changed. I don’t want the food to go to waste.”

“Seriously,” I said, chuckling. “That’s your favor? I’m sure August and Cooper will still be able to eat more when they get home.”

He shook his head. “No, this is a candlelight dinner for two. You and Finley.”

I felt unglued for a second. Finn hadn’t been there for my blow up with August. The last thing I’d told him after his advice about Finley was I’d struck out.

“Don’t look so confused. I may be a cripple, but I’m not blind. Why do you think I steered the two of you together? Both of you seemed oblivious to how the other felt. The only other person on this earth who didn’t see it was August.”

Maybe that was how he knew. “Have you talked to him about it?”

His good shoulder lifted in a half shrug. I should have known he wouldn’t tell me. He seemed like the kind of guy who would take secrets to the grave.

“We’ve talked about a lot of things. If I had to wager a guess, he’s angrier that you didn’t talk to him about it. He didn’t say that, just a theory on my part.”

I bet he said anything but. It had been clear he’d felt betrayed, and for that I’d be forever sorry.

“Give him some time. Meanwhile, do something nice for your girl,” Finn said.

He proceeded to outline his idea, which spurred my own. It wasn’t long after he’d headed out to do whatever it was he did that I put the finishing touches on my plan. Right on time as Finley walked in.

I glanced around her, but she closed the door, which meant she’d come home alone.

“How was practice?”

Instead of answering me, she ate up the distance with her long strides and looped her arms around my neck. Her kiss was like heaven, momentarily taking me out of the hell I was in.

“That good,” I murmured against her lips.

“Better now.”

This was better than I imagined. She was more than I’d ever dreamed.

“You and me both,” I muttered in her hair, relishing the feel of her so close to me.

“What’s the surprise? I mean, I’d already planned to come straight home, but you have me intrigued.”

I’d texted her to find me when she got home.

“Oh,” I took her hand and led her to the back door.

“What’s this?” she pointed at a sign on the glass.

“This is so we won’t be bothered.”

She tossed her head back and laughed. “Finn is in on it?”

The sign read Keep Out. Backyard Reserved. Finn.

“You might say he’s the master puppeteer.”

Her amusement wiped clean all of the worries I’d had all day. I opened the door leading her out with my hand on her lower back. She stopped, sucking in a breath.

The sky was overcast and perfect for the setting I’d created. It was unusually dark so early in the evening. A glow filled the dome in the middle of the yard.

“Where did you get a tent?” she asked with awe.

“Would you believe me if I told you it’s Finn’s?”

Her eyes danced with light from the Tiki Torches I’d staked around to keep any mosquitoes at bay.

“When it comes to Finn, I don’t think anything surprises me,” she answered.

I couldn’t stop myself and brushed a wild strand of hair from her face before bending down and capturing her mouth in a mind-numbing kiss.

“I hope you’re okay with this?” I asked.

Wonder, contentment, desire, heat. I couldn’t pinpoint what she was thinking as she stared at me.

“Are you kidding? This is amazing.”

I finally understood what my mother meant when she said she wouldn’t change a moment of her life if it meant she wouldn’t have me. I felt the same way about Finley.

“There’s more to come,” I said, walking her around the back side of the tent.

I’d set it up that way to give us more time if August or Cooper decided to ignore Finn’s warning.

She bent down and picked up a thin white structure. “Paper lanterns?”

“I mentioned them to Finn, and he said he had some.” The guy seemed prepared for anything. I felt like a student to his knowledge of not only women but life. “I wouldn’t be surprised what bag of tricks he had up his sleeve.”

I picked up the other lantern and pulled out a lighter I’d gotten from the kitchen.

“We’re going to light them?” she asked.

Still holding the lighter, I scrubbed a hand across the back of my neck. “This is going to sound corny, but I thought maybe it would give us luck. You know, to a bright future and all.”

She stared at me.

“It is corny,” I muttered.

What did I know about being romantic? I thought about the things my father had done for my mother, but he wasn’t the architect of romance, obviously. I started to bend down, and she stopped me. When I glanced up, she had tears in her eyes.

“Cricket,” I said softly, not realizing I’d vocalized the word she’d become in my head.

I reached out to wipe the moisture from her face, and she shook her head.

“No, these are happy tears. You’re turning out to be the best boyfriend. Even more than I could imagine.”

“Boyfriend?”

She’d been mine in my mind for so long, I didn’t think about being her boyfriend, especially when it was in her best interest not to be seen with me until I could completely clear my name. And if the news about my father ever became public, maybe not even then.

“What else are you to me?” she asked.

Selfishly, I said, “Everything.”

I