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He kisses my cheek in passing, holding the door for me. “Good, because you won’t have to again.” With a palm on my back, he guides me down the front porch steps, and round the curve of the yard toward the garage. “Now, come see my new wheels and pick a playlist.”
I told Finn I only needed to pop my head inside the diner and check the old-fashioned schedule board they put up in the back every week, but I wish I hadn’t. They’re down servers and understaffed. Half the town is apparently out with the flu. There’s no way I can leave them in a lurch, even though they didn’t call me in.
Cutter looks over the KPFD sweatshirt I snatched from Reid’s closet and my cutoff shorts. The grumpy alpha’s lips twitch. “You look a little too cozy, but you’ll do. Get an apron, and we’ll sort it out.”
I make a face.
“You see anyone else here?” he growls.
“Finn’s waiting in the car for me so we can pack up the rental,” I say, knowing that I’m going to say yes but wanting him to sweat a little if he’s gonna be so grumpy.
He cuts those hawkish eyes at me. “You want me to beg, princess?”
I laugh and throw my hands up in exasperation. “I’ll do it. Of course I’ll do it.”
He grumbles but waves me off with the spatula.
“Let me tell Finn. I’ll be right back!”
Finn’s got the windows rolled down, bopping his fingers on the steering wheel and singing along to a song. He takes one look at me, and his face falls. “They need you now?”
“Everyone has what I had.” I stuff my hands in the pockets of my jean shorts, hating to disappoint him. “If it matters, I’d rather be with you.”
His lips hitch into an almost smile, and he runs his hand across his head, pulling back his curls. “Do you have to go? You only just started to feel better yesterday.”
“Cutter is trying to run the whole place himself.” I shrug. I know it’s only a diner, but it’s my job, and these people have been good to me.
Finn gets that gleam in his eye, and I know he’s about to do something outrageous. I can see those wheels turning, and whatever he cooks up will be too good to say no to.
“Don’t look at me like that, and don’t you even offer whatever you’re thinking. You’re too sexy and wonderful, and I have to work, Finn,” I say, trying to be stern. It comes out sounding charmed, dammit.
“Okay. I get that. But can we compromise?” He leans out the window, resting his chin on his arm. It makes him puppy-dog cute. With those pretty lips and green eyes, he’s irresistible.
“How so?” I hedge.
He drops all the playfulness, reaching for my hand and kissing my palm. “Go in now. I get it and respect you for it. I’ll even help if you guys are that understaffed,” he says, tone serious.
I believe him too. If I asked, he would put on an apron and get to work like it was nothing.
“But can we talk about you working less? Maybe cutting down your shifts at the diner? Or going down to one job instead of two? I know we haven’t talked money yet, but I make enough that you can stay home if you want to,” Finn rambles.
“Thank you. You’re amazing. It’s a generous offer.” I lean into the window. “Working less would be nice. I’ll think about the rest.”
He pecks my lips. “I can negotiate with the best of them, baby. It’s a deal.”
Gods, he’s smug. And sexy. And adorable. I didn’t even know that was my thing until I met him.
“I’ll grab Emmaline from school so she can be home before dinner, and then we can talk to the kids afterward.”
I nod, pulling away from the window and backing up toward the diner, unable to keep the goofy smile off my face. “I gotta go. Cutter is probably giving us the death glare right now.”
Finn leaps out of the SUV, rushing toward me. He dips me as if we’re in one of those old movies. “Blame it on me.”
I suck in a breath, and he leans in. His hand clutches my back, and the heat of his palm pulses into me. Inches from my mouth, he looks into my eyes, and I can feel him smile against my lips. My lashes flutter closed, and right there in Mel’s parking lot, Finn kisses me as though we’re being reunited after lifetimes apart.
I get lost in the kiss, the rest of the world falling away until it’s only Finn. He pulls me upright before I’m ready, and I cling to him, woozy from his kiss.
“Have a good day at work, baby,” he whispers. He squeezes my ass and releases me.
