He knew that, as a blood rtive, Mr. Kevin Everly was naturally more affectionate toward him. But it was Amara who truly brought joy to their grandfather.
If Amara could always be there for him, their grandfather would have a much happier life every day.
He also felt that Amara genuinely liked their grandfather. When she was with him, there was always a gentle, tranquil aura about her-the kind of ease people only show around those they''re truly close to.
So, Amara must be happy when she''s with their grandfather, too.
Soon, the meal was finished. The three of them returned to the Everly family home. Amara and Finnian helped Mr. Kevin Everly back to his room, and then stepped out together. Amara was about to head to her own bedroom when Finnian called out to her.
"Amara."
Amara stopped in her tracks, not turning around. "Is there something you need, Mr. Everly?"
Finnian walked a few steps closer and spoke softly by her side, "There''s something I''d like to talk to you about. May I?"
Amara was a bit reluctant. Hadn''t they already agreed not to have private interactions?
Finnian sensed her hesitation, which left him a little disheartened, but he knew he still had to say what he''de to say. "It''s nothing like that, don''t worry. It''ll just take a minute. Could we step out somewhere to talk?"
Amara nced up at him. Since it wasn''t about that, she figured it wouldn''t be too awkward, so she nodded and followed him out.
They found a coffee shop and sat down. Amara ordered a coffee, but Finnianmented, "You''ve already had your coffee today, haven''t you?"
He remembered that Amara always had a cup of coffee in the morning to help her wake up. “Decaf, please," he added to the server.
The server nodded and left.
Amara had indeed already had coffee earlier. Although it''s eptable for pregnant women to have some caffeine, it''s safer not to drink too much, otherwise it could lead to palpitations or difort.
She didn''t object and asked, “What did you want to talk about, Mr. Everly?"
Finnian thought for a moment before saying, "Amara, what if from now on we treat each other as brother and sister?"
Amara was caught off guard, not quite sure she''d heard him correctly.
Finnian repeated, "From now on, let''s just be brother and sister. Grandpa is so fond of you, and I can tell you care about him very much too. If you have time you can spend more of it with him. Just treat me as your older brother."
That was the idea he''d had back in the dining room.
If Amara stayed by their grandfather''s side, he''d surely be happier. More importantly, Amara herself seemed genuinelyfortable and at ease with him—that''s why Finnian made the suggestion.
Amara felt a bit awkward. So she hadn''t misheard after all...
"I''ll definitely spend time with Grandpa," she replied, "but there''s really no need for
us to act as brother and sister."
To be siblings with Finnian? That would only make things more ufortable for her.
Seeing her reluctance, and noticing the uncertainty in her eyes, Finnian quickly exined, "Don''t worry! won''t use the pretense of being your brother to overstep any boundaries. I''ll look after you just like I look after Hogan."
By making their rtionship like siblings, he could asionally help Amara out when needed—that was his main purpose. Of course, he would make sure not to intrude on her life unnecessarily.
But when Finnian said he''d look after her like he did Hogan, Amara felt even more awkward. What was that supposed to mean?
This time, Finnian didn''t give her a chance to refuse. "That''s settled then. That''s all wanted to say. If
you ever need anything, juste to me no need to feel ufortable about it. Let''s go."