Page 31 of Better Luck Next Time

“I really am sorry about telling River,” he said. She could tell he didn’t feel comfortable talking about it, yet there was a determination in his eyes that told her he felt the need to apologize properly.

She shrugged again. “I guess they were going to find out at some point.” Then, before he could prod her about possibly giving up her art, she said, “So, about your charity art show…”

“River and I discussed it last night, and I guess he talked to Georgie. Buchanan’s going to host the first one.”

Georgie hadn’t mentioned that. She’d gone straight to the matter of Dottie’s garage.

“Did you pick a charity?” she asked, keeping her eyes on the chip basket as she reached for one.

“Yeah,” he said, sitting up a little. “My friend Maisie’s animal rescue. One of her big donors flaked on her, and they need the money.”

“The one River’s known since he was like thirteen?” she asked, then gave him a knowing grin. “Good choice. Hard for River to say no when you’re raising money for his childhood friend and puppies.”

“It wasn’t like that, Adalia,” he said defensively.

She gave him a knowing look. “But it kind of was.” When he didn’t say anything, she said, “It’s a compliment, Finn.”

“Is it, though?”

Lifting her glass, she said, “To knowing what you want and going for it.”

“I’m not sure I should drink to that,” he said, but the corners of his lips twitched, like he wanted to smile, and he clicked his glass into hers. She drained her margarita, then put the glass on the table with a thud. “Hit me.”

He refilled the glass as a waitress walked over. The woman gave Finn an odd look, like maybe she recognized him, and said, “Oh, you already have drinks.”

“Friends in low places,” Adalia said. “Do you have shrimp tacos?”

“Yeah, but I can bring you a menu…”

“Not necessary. Just bring me that,” Adalia said, challenging Finn with a raised eyebrow. “Live on the wild side with me.”

He rolled his eyes, but that smile was finally escaping. “Bring me the special of the day.”

“Do you want me to tell you what it is?” the waitress asked in confusion.

“Nope,” he said, grinning at Adalia.

“Okay…,” she said as she walked away.

“Look at you, Finn Hamilton,” Adalia said appreciatively as she sipped more of her drink. The tequila was already making her head fuzzy, but she didn’t care. Her plan was to get shit-faced. “I’ll help you with your charity thing.”

His eyes brightened with excitement. “You will?”

She held up her hand. “Yeah, but not how you think. I’ll help you pick the artists and set things up the night of the event, but I won’t be displaying any of my own art.”

Disappointment flickered in his eyes, but it was gone just as quickly. “I’d be grateful for any help you’re willing to give. Dottie has made a bunch of suggestions, some of them great, but we both know her taste runs on the eccentric side.”

Adalia grinned. “I love that woman, but agreed.” She finished off her margarita and shook her empty glass. “Again.”

Finn gave her a long look, but just as she was starting to wonder if he was about to get all withholding on her, he refilled her glass. “How are you not getting brain freeze?”

Her body felt deliciously warm, now that he mentioned it. “It’s one of my many talents. Tell me more about yourself, Finn Hamilton.”

He hesitated, studying her. “What do you want to know that you don’t already?”

“First of all, how is a cute guy like you still single?”

His face flushed. “Just what every man wants to hear, a beautiful woman calling him cute like he’s a purse dog.”

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