Page 20 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

"You keep moving the goal post," she said, an understanding gleam in her eyes. "I do that, too."

"It keeps life exciting."

"And exhausting."

"It's up to you how fast you want to run and for how long. That's the beauty of owning your own business. You're the boss. You call the shots."

"I wish that were true. I am the boss, but a lot of external problems seem to be calling the shots." She brushed her hair out of her face. "But I'm not going to think about those problems tonight. I should probably get back to the group."

He knew she was right, but he didn't really want her to leave. He liked talking to her. She was a beautiful mix of soft and hard—the friendly, optimistic cheerleader and the driven businesswoman. He wanted to know more, but she wasn't here with him. She had a whole table of people waiting for her to come back. "Don't let me keep you," he said.

She hesitated. "Do you want to join us, Justin?"

He was surprised by the invite. "You're with your family and your friends."

"There's always room for one more. And I don't feel right leaving you sitting here alone. You're my guest."

"You run the inn where I'm staying. That doesn't make you responsible for me," he said, a little bemused by that idea. But then, he usually stayed in five-star luxury hotels these days and rarely did he know any of the staff by name. He certainly didn't know anything about their families.

"I'm not responsible for you, but I am interested in your well-being, and I promised you that we would turn your obligation into a vacation. Since your grandparents aren't in town yet, you're at loose ends. Come on, join us. You've been working all afternoon, and I know you don't have a phone or a computer to get lost in."

"That's true. I need to get those items tomorrow."

"You can absolutely do that, but not tonight. Nothing is open now. Join us."

A small voice inside his head suggested that no would be a better answer than yes. But there was something about Lizzie that made it impossible for him to refuse.

It wasn't a big deal. And without his electronics, he was looking forward to a long night of nothing. There wasn't even a television in his room. Although, there was a bookshelf in his room with a variety of novels and nonfiction books, as well as a library downstairs. Apparently, Lizzie liked to encourage reading.

"Come on, Justin," she said. "It will be fun. And you seem like someone who could use some fun."

"I can be fun," he said defensively.

"You can be, but are you?" She gave him a doubtful look. "I think you're going to need to prove it."

"You might regret that challenge. I might be more fun than you can handle."

She laughed. "You're not short of confidence in any area, are you?"

"Why should I be?" he asked, knowing he sounded cocky as hell, but she seemed to like it. He slid off the stool and followed her over to the table.

As Lizzie introduced him to her friends, he received a lot of friendly smiles and speculative looks. Zach was quick to pull over a chair, so he could sit between him and Lizzie. He was more than happy with that scenario.

"So, Justin, I have a question for you," Keira said from across the table. He could see the amusement in her sparkling brown eyes.

"What's that?"

"Do you sing?"

"Uh…I was not expecting that question."

"It's karaoke night," Lizzie explained, as she poured him a beer from the pitcher on the table. "It starts in about ten minutes."

"Got it. No, I'm not a singer."

"Are you sure?" Keira asked. "We need some men to get up there for a change. And these guys swear they can't carry a tune, although I think some of them are lying, or maybe all of them."

"Chelsea and Lizzie got all the talent in my family," Adam said.

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