Page 10 of Artemis

Alexander shook his head. “No. She works in a bank.”

“Yes, she does.” Maddie focussed on Damien again. “Flat or easel?”

“Easel,” Damien said after much consideration.

“Excellent choice. I’ll even make you a palette out of a lid, would you like that?”

“Can I have one too?” Alexander asked, bouncing a bit.

Maddie raised an eyebrow.

“Please?” Alexander added angelically.

“Thank you,” Maddie said.

Finley shook his head at her patience and calm demeanor. That situation would have gone quite differently if he’d been the only adult in charge. He had a lot to learn about taking messes in stride.

* * *

Later,as he was working out in the gym at Valhalla’s Throne, he overheard two guys talking about a speed dating event one guy had attended the previous month.

“All sorts of women show up. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find someone who’ll jump at you.”

“No shit? Even if I’m not looking for something serious?”

“I’m not pulling your leg. I found a woman who just wanted a roll in the sack last month. The next one is tonight. You should totally check it out.”

Finley’s ears perked up and he carefully lowered the back press. “Is that Aphrodite and Eve’s event?” he asked the two guys. Both other men were in a lower weight class than he was, so he wasn’t sure of their names.

“You’ve heard of it?”

“Both of my brothers found their mates thanks to that thing. You’re saying that not everyone who goes there wants a relationship?”

One guy shrugged. “Maybe if they don’t find ‘the one’, they’re happy with a ‘Mister right now’. All I can say is that the girl I pulled had no complaints after the night with me.”

“Right on!” They fist bumped.

Finley shook his head with a chuckle. “It’s happening tonight, you said? Same place?”

“You thinking about checking it out?”

“I might. Been feeling a little restless lately, you know?”

“Hope you find someone to scratch that itch for you,” one guy said with a laugh and an elbow nudge to the other’s ribs.

“I think I’ll head out,” Finley said, bending to pick up his water bottle. “See you.”

“It starts at eight!”

Finley waved a hand in acknowledgement and headed for the brothers’ private room to change before heading home for a proper shower. The one at work was horrible; cold beyond belief.

After showering and changing into a dark blue dress shirt and jeans without holes in them, he scrawled a note to Augustine on the fridge whiteboard.

Going out for the evening. Will be on time for Maddie’s in the am.

The weather was warm when he stepped out the door and he almost regretted wearing long sleeves. A quick glance at his watch told him he didn’t have time to change. “I’ll manage,” he muttered as he rolled up his sleeves. “Don’t want to be late to meet my destiny,” he joked.

CHAPTER3

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