Page 211 of Rookie Attraction

“Yes!”

He beams at me, and I know I’m fucked. Will I ever refuse this man anything? No.

“So—” I squeeze his waist. “Now that that’s settled, do you want to see the rings?”

“Oh shit, right.”

Finn pulls his hand out of my pocket, opening his palm to reveal the brushed-gold bands I picked out in December. Maybe it was wishful thinking back then, but I knew. Somehow, I knew…

“I thought you’d want something classic. If you don’t like it⁠—”

“I love it. It’s exactly what I’d pick.”

I take one of the thick bands and place it on his ring finger, and he does the same for me. Both of us swipe away tears and share more kisses.

“One more hour,” Finn insists. “Then we’re heading home. Alone.”

“But our family⁠—”

“Okay, they can head home; you and I will head to the nearest hotel.”

“Game on.”

After sealing the deal with a long, claiming kiss, we rejoin the rest of the party and run into Berg who immediately clocks the rings and shouts his congratulations. It doesn’t take long for everyone else to notice too. Finn and I hold up our hands to the crowd.

“Kippis!” Makela offers. “Cheers to the happy couple!”

There’s a round of cheers before the music cranks up, and Makela pops another bottle of champagne. He pours us each a glass and then makes the rounds.

“Congrats, guys,” Kuznetsov offers as he walks up to us. “You going somewhere this week to celebrate?”

I shake my head.

“Staying in the city so we can get Finn moved into my place.”

“Our place,” Finn corrects, and I can’t help but smile.

“What about you, Kuz? Fun plans lined up?” I ask.

“Not this year,” Kuznetsov admits with a grimace. “I’ll also be hanging around town. If you guys need help moving, hit me up.”

Finn and I look at each other and back at Kuz.

“Thanks,” Finn replies. “We might do that.”

“I also wanted to ask, how’s your mom doing after that infection?”

“Still having treatments, still fighting hard,” Finn admits. “We’re staying positive.”

“Send her my best.”

“I will.” Finn pauses. “Oh, hey, remember back in December, before I got injured, you offered to come with me to look at cars? I thought next week would be perfect for a test drive. If you’re around, why don’t you join us? I need help picking out a kick-ass truck.”

“How are you going to drive that thing in New York?” I add.

Finn shakes his head. “It’s not for driving around the city like your Audi. The truck is for road trips, you know, country driving. Kuz knows what I mean. He’s a farm boy like me.”

“Proudly so, and I’m happy to help.”