"Thank you so much, Rachel." Finlay rested her hands against her back as she nonchalantly hid the scratches on her arms.

The three of us had gotten really competitive playing card games, and I knew that Rachel, Finlay's stepmother, would freak out if anything bad happened to Finlay. She married Finlay's father when Fin was almost three, a year after her mother passed away, so she was extremely protective of Fin..

"Of course, Fin." Rachel smiled at her stepdaughter. "But I don't think you needed me to leave on my lunch break to let you in. It looked like you guys were having fun with Joshua." Finlay smiled but didn't say anything. Rachel turned to me and said, "So, how was spending the morning with your crush?"

I jerked my head to see Finlay laughing. "How does she know?" I asked her.

"I might've told her."

Rachel smiled and shook her head. "I remember being that young once." It looked like she was lost in thought for a second before she shook her head again. "Now, I better get back to work. You girls behave."

"We always do!" Finlay replied in a singsong voice.

"I'll believe that when pigs fly, Finlay." Rachel smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I'll see you both later, okay?"

Finlay nodded as her stepmother walked to the door and called, "I love you, Fin!"

"Love you too, Rachel."

I heard the door shut, and I turned my attention to my best friend. "And why would you tell her that I like Joshua?"

Finlay shrugged. "Why not?"

"Fin -"

"It's not like she'll do anything, Grace. You don't have to worry. I trust her. You should too." Finlay gave me a mischievous grin and said, "Now, let's bake."

She always knew that baking was my weakness. I mean, my mother did own a bakery and all. Ideas flitted around my head as I asked, "Bake what?"

"Cookies. Cake. I don't know. But I'm craving sugar."

"Okay." I nodded and headed off to the kitchen. Finlay came barreling after me and pushed me to the side. She turned around triumphantly and grinned.

"I beat you in here!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Dork. You're supposed to be an adult. We are seniors, after all."

"Hey, I'm still seventeen," Finlay said to me. "I'm not an adult yet. That's your job between the two of us."

I rolled my eyes. "That's what sucks about being older. You get all the responsibilities."

"You of all people should know that I can't handle that type of responsibility." Finlay laughed, leaning against me. "Did you have fun today, Gracie?"

"Yeah, I did." I smiled. "Even if he doesn't reciprocate the feelings, I still had fun."

"Good." Finlay nodded. "I did too."

I smiled, but I was confused as to why Finlay asked that. "Are we gonna bake or what?"

"Obviously!" Finlay jumped up and opened cabinets, looking for something.

"I'm definitely glad today is Friday," I said, watching Finlay search, "because I couldn't imagine going back to school after the events of today."

"You're welcome."

"For what?"

"Jump-starting your new relationship. That was all me, by the way."

I smiled. "I guess you do deserve a thank you."

Finlay turned around just to throw a smile at me. "You see, I have some good ideas."

"I guess you do."

Finlay suddenly slammed the cabinet shut, frowning. "I have no clue where the brownie mix is."

"You're making brownies out of the box?" I asked with a slight grin. All she did was nod so I said, "Let me look."

My eyes traveled around the kitchen, taking in the stainless steel refrigerator that was surrounded by dark cabinets. I reached toward one of them and laughed. "Found it."

I pulled the box out of the cabinet and presented it to Finlay. All she said was, "How?"

"Well, I looked," I said, smiling.

"Whatever. Everyone can find things besides me."

"That's why you need me." Finlay nodded as I handed her the box.

"Whatever."

I laughed as she set the box down on the marble counter. "Now, let's bake!"

---

I pulled the pan out of the oven, knowing the brownies were done. The pan hit the stove with a soft thud, and I cringed. I hoped I hadn't woken Fin up from her nap. I slid the oven mitts off my hands and turned the oven off.

I headed quietly back into the family room and saw Finlay still asleep on the couch. Her arms were wrapped around a pillow and a blanket was draped across her shoulders. I smiled gently as I sat down next to my best friend. My hand pushed Fin's hair down before finding a spot in my lap. The TV was alive with colors, but I didn't really pay attention.

Finlay stirred so I ran my hand through her blonde hair, saying, "Wakey wakey."

Finlay smiled sleepily and said, "What are you doing?"

"Just thinking," I answered her. "What about you?"

"Sleeping, silly." Finlay cracked a smile and shook her head. "I didn't sleep last night. Rachel and Dad fought. They rarely fight so I spent the rest of the night worrying. But now you're here and everything is better."

I nodded and gently lifted Finlay's head onto my lap. "Go back to sleep, Fin."

"But you're gonna be alone," Finlay said even as she snuggled into me. "I know I don't like being alone, so why should I let you?"

"I'm not alone," I told her. "I can still talk to you even though you're asleep."

"No. I'm not going back to sleep," Finlay said, determined. She sat up slowly and grinned at me. "Are the brownies done?"

"I got them out of the oven already," I told her, nodding.

"Please tell me you haven't eaten them yet."

"Nope." I smiled. "I knew you would never forgive me if I ate them without you."

"You got that right."

Finlay hopped up off the couch and bolted to the kitchen. I laughed as I followed. She was already attacking the brownies when I entered the kitchen.

"Are they good?" I asked, leaning against the counter.

Finlay nodded, her eyes closed in pleasure. "One of the best brownies I've had in a long time."

I smiled. "It's because I'm here, right?"

Finlay turned to me and nodded. A look flashed across her face but it changed to a smile just as quick. "Try a brownie, Gracie."

I walked over and grabbed a brownie. It wasn't my favorite because I liked homemade brownies better, but it was warm. I nodded. "It's good." It got quiet as I finished the brownie. "Are you okay, Fin?"

Finlay glanced at me before nodding. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You're just really quiet," I said, frowning. "You're never quiet. At least, not around me."

"I already told you." Finlay glared down at the brownies. "Rachel and Dad fought last night. End of story."

"Nothing has bothered you like this has."

"Can we just get off this topic?" Finlay snapped. "I'm already upset enough."

I lifted my hands in surrender and nodded. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed."

"No, you shouldn't have." Finlay turned and walked out of the kitchen.

"Okay." I grabbed my jacket off the chair at the table. I slipped it on and yelled, "See you later!"

Right before I could open the door, a hand latched onto my arm. "Don't go." The voice cracked. The hand shook. And the girl looked scared when I turned around.

"I'm sorry, Grace. Really."

I knew that she meant well when she snapped at me, so I pulled Finlay into a hug. Her body was frail, and I thought I would break her. "I'm gonna stay the night, but I have to stop at home for some things."

"Okay." Finlay took a shuddering breath. "But I don't want to be alone."

"I'll go by Joshua's house and enlist him to take care of you."

Finlay pulled away from the embrace and grinned devilishly. The smile didn't reach her eyes, though. "You're gonna talk to him all by yourself?"

"Back to your normal self, are we?"

Finlay laughed. "Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows."

"God knows."

Finlay nodded and dropped her head. "I know that, Grace. I just haven't had time to even think about all the problems that are popping up in my life."

"He's the best one to take it to." I nodded. "I know that for a fact."

Finlay smiled before hugging me again. "I'll see you in a little bit, Gracie." Finlay held me at arms length and said, "Now, go woo Mr. King."

"Fin . . ." I said, trailing off as my cheeks turned pink. I wouldn't meet her eyes as I continued, "I'm not really worried about him. I'm more worried about you."

"Don't worry about me. You gotta worry about your love life." Finlay laughed before saying, "Meaning you gotta create one."

I rolled my eyes. "Can I borrow your car?"

"Obviously." Finlay ran away from me and I smiled. My best friend seemed okay, but looks could be deceiving. Finlay was back in a flash and handed me her car keys.

"Thanks. Love you, Fish."

"Love you too, Gracie."

I opened the door and stepped out into the cold. The frigid air hit my open skin, and I shivered. I hoped Joshua couldn't hear my heart beat against my ribs. But I had to do this for Fin, so I took a deep breath. My knuckles hit the wooden door, spreading cold through my hand. It took about a minute but the door finally opened, revealing a shirtless Joshua. My heart hammered harder against my chest as I tried to keep my eyes locked with his. He smiled, his eyes crinkling. "What are you doing here, Grace?"

I cleared my throat, hoping it wouldn't betray me. "I need you to go sit with Finlay. She doesn't want to be alone right now, and I have to go to my house to grab something."

Joshua's eyebrows furrowed. "Is there something wrong with Finlay? She seemed fine earlier."

"It's just stress." I shrugged. "A lot has been happening and it's been hitting her hard. That's why I'm staying the night. But I need to go grab some stuff -"

"And I need to go be with her while you're gone," Joshua finished for me.

I nodded. My eyes flicked to his chest, and boy, was that a mistake. His skin glistened with sweat, as if he had been working out. He didn't have a six pack like I expected, but that didn't mean he didn't look great. It seemed like my heart was having its own workout just looking at him.

"I believe my eyes are up here." I jumped at the sound of his voice and Joshua chuckled. My eyes drifted back to his, and he smiled, sending my heart into shock. "Let me go put a shirt on, and I'll be right over to Fin's house."

"Thanks."

Joshua nodded, and I started to walk to Finlay's car when Joshua cleared his throat. "Grace?"

"Yes?"

"I had a lot of fun today."

I turned around and started walking backwards. A smile made its way onto my face as I said, "Me too."

He tipped an imaginary hat in my direction and shut the door. I slowed to a stop for a second, furrowing my eyebrows. But I shook my head, heading to Finlay's car quickly. It was cold outside, and I didn't enjoy it one bit.