Page 102 of Getting Lucky

“Yeah,” Finn said, sounding confused. But he didn’t press him, and he didn’t ask the dozens of questions that were probably lining up to leave his mouth. “Of course. I’m on my way.”

When they hung up, Jack sent him his location but continued walking, planning to intercept Finn on the way.

About ten minutes later, Finn’s Range Rover appeared around a curve, and he pulled to the side of the road when he saw Jack.

Jack climbed into the passenger seat. “Thanks, Finn, I really appreciate it.” He grimaced. “Sorry if I came across as rude or abrupt on the phone.”

“No problem,” Finn said, making a U-turn and heading back toward their neighborhood.

They rode in silence for a few minutes, Finn squirming in his seat before he finally said, “I love Maisie to death, but she’s not always an easy person to get along with.”

“Was she in love with you too?” Jack scoffed, then instantly regretted it.

“Ah…” Finn said with a sigh. “She told you?”

“No, I overheard her conversation with her sister.”

And wasn’t that the worst of it? If it really wasn’t a big deal, like she’d said, wouldn’t she have told him herself? She’d apparently told everyone else.

A little voice inside him insisted that she hadn’t had much of a chance. The last couple of days had been consumed with his family drama, and before that…well, neither of them had really been sure of what they wanted, had they? But those tangled-up emotions he’d tried to push away weren’t so easily dismissed.

He turned to face Finn. “You knew we were seeing each other. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It wasn’t my place to tell, Jack.”

“So you let me fall in love with her, knowing I was her River surrogate.”

Finn looked startled. “You’re in love with her.” But he shook it off, recovering, and said, “Never mind. And you’re not River’s surrogate.”

“Apparently, one of her sisters gives her a hard time for always dating men who are similar to River. And I can see that. We have similar hair and eye coloring. We both come from messed-up families. Seems to me she just went for me because she can’t have who she really wants.”

Finn was quiet for a few moments. “I’ve known Maisie for six years. As you probably know, she and River have been friends since they were in middle school. They’re close, but I’ve never seen her as happy with River as she is when she’s with you.”

“Yeah, that’s because he didn’t reciprocate her feelings. Of course she wasn’t happy.”

“I know it probably seems that way, but I’ve had some time to think about it, and while I know she loves him, I don’t think she was ever reallyin lovewith him. Not like I think she’s falling for you.” He took a breath. “Maisie’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known, but she has a hard time letting go of things. River was there when her parents died, and she clings to anything having to do with her parents.”

“Is this supposed to make me feel better?”

“I’m getting to that part,” Finn said. “The thing is, she’s changing. We’ve all noticed it. She’s clearing some of the old things out of her house and letting Iris take point at the shelter. Maybe it was River falling for Georgie that spurred her to change, but it didn’t really start until you two started spending time together. I’ve seen her with other guys, Jack, and she never liked them the way she likes you.”

Jack’s heart warmed at the thought of that ratty old Santa beard at the shelter and the updates he’d noticed at her house. She’d even gotten a new set of plates in the kitchen to replace the cracked and chipped set she’d probably eaten on as a child. Then there was the fact that she’d invited him and Iris to help her decorate and put up the tree. Judging from the dust on the boxes of ornaments, no one had taken them out in years.

Maybe Finn had a point, but still, Jack had to wonder if she’d only moved on because she didn’t have a choice. If they stayed together, was he going to freak out every time she went out for one of her Bro Club dinners with River and Finn? Every time he noticed her looking at River? It was something he needed to settle in himself before he talked to her.

Finn pulled up in front of the Buchanan house, and Jack frowned. “Is Addy here or at your house? I need to talk to her and Georgie.”

Finn’s face paled. “You’re not going to tell Georgie that Maisie was in love with River, are you?”

“She already knows,” he ground out, feeling another wave of annoyance that he’d apparently been the last to know, or close enough. “But no, it’s not about Maisie. I need to talk to Georgie before the party. If she still wants to have a party.”

“Then whatever it is, donottell me,” Finn said, holding up a hand. “I suck at keeping secrets.”

“Have you or Addy heard from Lee today?”

“No, but Addy said Victoria is fit to be tied. She keeps calling her and Georgie every half hour or so, accusing them of hiding him from her.”

“Lee doesn’t need any help hiding from her.” He glanced toward the house, preparing himself to go in and do Lee’s dirty work.

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