Chapter Fourteen #2
Finley rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about Ivan or Kieran.”
“Of course you don’t.”
“I want to talk about Dylan.”
Harry groaned. “Don’t start this again. He’s too young for me.”
“Ten years isn’t much of an age gap,” Finley argued. “You’re just not willing to take risks.”
“Why should I when you take enough risks for both of us?” she countered.
“Ouch.” Finley rubbed at a spot above his heart.
Harry leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. That was mean.”
“But honest.”
She knew what their grandpa’s camera meant to Finley and happily agreed to help if he could get her back in time for her mani-pedi appointment in Last Chance Creek.
She had another girls’ night out that evening and apparently pretty nails were important.
They set out early because there were several pawn shops in Denver and the surrounding area.
He’d felt hopeful during the ninety-minute ride to the big city but dejected on their way back to the ranch still empty-handed.
Harry had let him stew in his thoughts while she read a book, which only reminded him of Kieran.
A pang of longing gripped his heart and squeezed until he wanted to howl.
He missed the physical dynamic that they’d barely started to explore, but Finley craved their quirky conversations, quiet evenings, and the little pack they’d formed.
But if he were objective, Finley had to consider he might’ve fallen into his old pattern of making something more than it was because his heart desired it.
He had two options: move on or try to work out the issue with Kieran and make the most of the time they had left.
One path was logical and the other fanciful, yet there was no doubt about the route he’d choose.
He didn’t want to live with any regrets when Kieran left the ranch, so he wouldn’t wave a white flag.
When they neared Last Chance Creek, Harry suggested they meet their mother at the diner for a bite to eat before the ladies indulged in their pedicures.
Finley had eaten little for breakfast, so he was more than ready to sink his teeth into something delicious.
Hope was already at the diner, and she wasn’t alone.
A dark-haired man sat beside her in the same booth he and Kieran had used on the night of the art festival.
His mother laughed at something the stranger said, and Finley had a sinking feeling he knew the handsome man’s identity.
He stopped inside the door and rounded on Harry. “You guys set me up.”
Harry patted his cheek and smiled sweetly. “I’m calling it an intervention. I can’t watch you break your own heart again.” Finley had been on the verge of walking out of the café, but Harry’s pleading gaze softened his resolve.
“Fine, but I will get even.”
Harry hooked her arm through Finley’s and led him toward the booth.
Hope saw them first and waved. The mystery man looked in their direction, and his warm brown eyes widened when they landed on Finley.
He looked to be roughly the same age and was undoubtedly handsome.
Finley forced himself to relax and decided to let nature take its course.
Harry gestured for him to slide in first so he’d be across from Michael, but he knew she just wanted to box him in so he couldn’t bolt.
Finley slid into the booth and smiled through introductions. Michael reached across the table and Finley shook his hand. No spark or shiver of awareness followed. Suddenly unsure of what to say or where to put his hands, he reached for a menu, even though he’d memorized it long ago.
Merri arrived to take their drink order, but Hope held up her hand. “I just remembered I need to meet a client for a private yoga session.” She grimaced like a seasoned actress and rose to her feet. “I forgot about our pedicure appointments. Do you think they can bump us back a little?”
Harry stood up too. “I’ll go find out. Excuse us for cutting out on you.”
Michael smiled up at them. “No problem,” he said while Finley shook his head. Once they were alone, Michael laughed and added, “Not real subtle, are they?”
Finley laughed. “Nope. But I think they mean well.”
Michael’s brown eyes twinkled. “I’m definitely not sorry for an opportunity to get to know you better.” His smile was beautiful, but it didn’t give Finley butterflies in his stomach.
“Likewise.” I can always use another friend.
Could it develop into something special like Harry had said?
He didn’t think so, and a part of him just couldn’t give up on Kieran yet.
Honesty and a free lunch were the only things he could offer.
Michael took it well and even delighted Finley with a wonderful sense of humor.
It felt good to laugh, and Michael must’ve fed off his energy because he kept it rolling throughout lunch.
Midway through their burger and fries, someone tapped on the window beside them.
Finley turned his head and saw Rueben smiling and waving at him.
Then he shifted his gaze to the right and locked eyes with Kieran.
Finley found it hard to breathe as they stared at each other for several moments.
Kieran shifted his gaze to Michael, then back to Finley before he turned and walked away, leaving Rueben to scramble after him.
“Do you need to leave?” Michael asked when Finley continued to stare at the empty sidewalk.
Finley’s knee-jerk reaction was to slap some bills on the table to cover lunch and chase after Kieran, but he squelched the notion. He’d done nothing wrong. Finley decided to finish lunch, make a new friend, and seek Kieran out after he cooled off.
“Nope,” Finley said. “In fact, I’m going to order dessert. I just can’t decide if it will be the apple crisp or chocolate cream pie. Would you like anything?”
“I don’t eat sweets, but thank you.”
Finley sighed inwardly. He wasn’t sure they could even be friends now. So long, Michael.