Page 67 of Better Luck Next Time

“Well,thisis awkward,” a woman said in a dry tone.

Finn lifted his head to face the woman who stood in the doorway. She was about medium height and had a head full of curly red hair, the look in her green eyes alternating between irritation and amusement.

“Is this the new make-out spot and someone forgot to tell me?” She cast a glance over her shoulder, into the lobby. “River, you’ll have to bring Georgie. Maybe we can book appointments.”

“Maisie,” Finn said, gently releasing Adalia and taking a step toward his friend. “It’s—”

One brow lifted higher than the other as the red-headed woman gave him her best schoolteacher glare. “Not what it looks like? If that’s true, then I’m super curious what it is.”

River appeared behind her, a dark look in his eyes. “Maisie, let it go.”

“Obviously, this is inappropriate,” Finn said, holding his hands up. “I apologize for any—”

“Whatever,” Maisie said, rolling her eyes and turning around. “We have things to discuss. After you two wrap things up here, meet us in the playroom.” Then she shoved River into the lobby and shut the door behind her.

Finn spun around to face Adalia with a questioning look in his eyes. “Addy, I’m sorry.”

She clenched her hands at her sides, her irritation rising. “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry for that. I’m not. Was it embarrassing? Sure. But I still don’t regret it. Do you know why?”

He cracked a grin. “No, but I can’t wait to hear.”

Jabbing her finger into his chest, she kept her gaze on his. “Because what we have is raw and it’s real. And every time you kiss me, it makes me want to know you even more. Mentally, emotionally, and—” she paused and licked her bottom lip, “—carnally.”

Finn sucked in a breath.

“Granted,” Adalia said with a grin, “the location could have been better. But we’ll be more careful next time.” Then she walked past him, making sure her butt swayed with her gait. She grabbed the doorknob and glanced over her shoulder, not surprised by the direction of his gaze. When his eyes lifted, she grinned. “Or maybe not.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

When Finn and Adalia walked into the playroom, the tension was almost palpable. Although there was a small table surrounded by four rickety-looking chairs, Maisie and River were both standing, almost on opposite sides of the room. It took everything in Finn not to grab Adalia’s hand and declare they were heading back to the new make-out spot. But Maisie shot him the kind of look that would pin a butterfly in its box, and he knew better than to try. River just seemed frustrated, which suggested that Maisie still hadn’t leveled with him—because if she had, he would be more upset.

“Where’s Hops?” he blurted out. It was a stupid thing to say, really—he’d known the Hops thing was a ruse, and Maisie had clearly known too.

“Miraculously improved,” Maisie said with a tight smile. “But River came over anyway so he could discuss the art show with us.”

River clearly wanted to object, and it was obvious he would prefer it if they both got lost. But wishes were horses, and they were all out of hay (or something like that—Finn’s maternal grandfather had basically only spoken in colloquialisms, but they’d gotten jumbled in his old age. He’d been by far the most relatable person in Finn’s family).

“Well, hallelujah!” Adalia said brightly, lowering herself into one of the empty chairs. Finn shrugged and sat next to her. “So tell me, Maisie, how does a person go about becoming a foster parent for the shelter?”

“Oh, so you noticed there were dogs back there?” Maisie asked, her lips curling up a little at the corners, softening the remark.

“Of course! He used the dogs to draw me back there. Then he had his wicked way with me,” Adalia said with a straight face, then burst out laughing—probably at Finn’s strangled expression. He could practically feel River’s gaze shifting from Maisie to him.

“It wasn’tquitelike that,” he said.

But Maisie laughed too, and she finally left her position by the door and sat down across from Adalia.

“If you’re serious about it, you can fill out an application at the front desk before you leave. Spoiler alert: I’ll approve it. We’re always in need of new fosters.” She tilted her head. “But you’re living at Beau’s old place, huh? With Jezebel around, we’ll need to get you one that doesn’t scare easily.”

Adalia laughed. “You’re not scared the dog would go after her?”

Maisie just gave her a look.

“Touché. That’s okay. I wouldn’t want a wimpy dog, anyway.” Her eyes softened, and Finn knew she was thinking of Tyrion, of the deep sadness in his eyes as he lay on the floor. Something about that dog had spoken to Adalia, like maybe she saw the brokenness she felt reflected back to her.

She glanced back at him, and he took her hand under the table. River and Maisie could probably see what he was doing anyway, but hell, that ship had sailed.

“What about Jack?” River asked, the first time he’d spoken since they’d entered the room. “Shouldn’t you ask him before you bring home another pet?” To Maisie, he said, “Jack’s back from Chicago. He’s living at the house too.”

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