Page 18 of Man Glitter
She frowned back.
I shoved the board she’d been working on earlier at her. “Need to do more sanding?”
She rolled her eyes, walked out of the workshop, and yelled over her shoulder, “Be ready by seven!”
* * *
I knew what Finnie thought of me. It was what most people thought of me. Crazy Charlie. I’d heard about my nickname around town. Sure, I had some unique traditions and ways of doing things, but really, what was so wrong with being a hippie? Why not be addicted to kombucha and sage burning instead of a television screen or smart phone? It brought me peace and kept my stress levels low, so what was the big deal?
What I wasn’t though, was dumb.
I knew Finnie was attracted to me, and I went in guns blazing to play on that emotion tonight. She wanted to show the town that we weren’t an item. I wanted to show her that we could make a very interesting item if she’d just yank those panties out of her crack and relax a little. So I showered, sprayed cologne on, actually put some gel in my hair, and buttoned up a nice pair of slacks with a polo shirt I had hanging in the back of my closet.
I’d driven us to dinner, opened doors, pulled out chairs, and asked questions I knew wouldn’t anger her. Riling her up was all fun and games, but I knew she needed to know I could have a serious conversation too. She’d introduced herself to every single person we crossed paths with, making sure they knew I’d cut my hand and she’d sewn me up. By squashing that living together rumor, she’d started a new one.
That Doc Finnie was a little off her rocker.
Which meant everyone in Hell loved her. We were a community of citizens who’d collectively fallen off our rockers and banded together. Just spend one day observing the only two-lane roundabout we had in town and you’d come to the same conclusion too.
“How about you show me the office space for your clinic?” I asked Finnie as we left Forty-Diner, our bellies full.
The sun had set and all the streetlights had flickered on, giving downtown Hell a cozy ambiance. We walked along the sidewalk and I wanted to hold her hand. She looked gorgeous in a summer dress, topped off with a weathered jean jacket and brightly colored sandals. We looked like a couple out on a date. The exact opposite of what she was going for with this little outing.
“Sure,” she smiled at me and headed toward Brinestone Way, the street that held most of the new businesses in town.
Finnie tripped, and I grabbed her elbow. Following her gaze, I saw she was looking up at the sign for the first shop on Brinestone Way. The Hardware Store. Her cheeks flushed bright red, and I remembered I needed to ask her about her delivery today.
“You order a wrench set or something from the Hardware Store?” I knew full well that wasn’t what was in the box, but figured a little teasing wouldn’t ruin the evening. They sold tools all right, but they were of the x-rated variety.
Finnie hustled past the storefront to a shop two doors down. “Um, yeah, something like that. I guess they send a complimentary box out to newcomers as a welcome. So, here we are!”
She put a key into the lock and swung the door open, quickly changing the subject. By placing a brick against the door, she kept it open for me. Stepping through the doorway, I saw the space was quite expansive, faux wood flooring extending from wall to wall. The place smelled like fresh paint.
“We’ll put in five treatment rooms, a break room for staff, and a waiting room. I’ll even have my own blood lab and x-ray room on-sight. I’ve decided to go with Titus as my contractor.”
I smiled, spinning to take in the place, and genuinely happy with both her dream coming true and her decision to use someone trustworthy. “I’m impressed, Finnie. You’re making your dream come true. Not many people are able to do that. Congratulations.”
Her cheeks heated, and the moonlight streamed in through the front windows to back light her. I wanted to take a picture and remember this moment. Instead, I made a mental picture, labeling it with the captionThe day I well and truly began to fall for Finnie Dorado.
There was just one thing I needed to know first before I let go of the ledge and allowed myself to slide further into whatever this feeling was I had for her.
“Why here? Why Auburn Hill and not the Bay Area where you’re from?” I followed her back out the door to the sidewalk, my footsteps echoing in the empty room. She locked up behind us and stood there spinning her keyring in her hand.
I desperately needed to know she’d stay.
Finnie tipped her head from side to side, not meeting my eyes. I reached out and cupped her face. Her gaze flew to mine, her movements stilling as we stared at each other in charged silence.
“I want to help people. I really do, Charlie. I just—I just can’t take the stress of the ER anymore.” She bit her lip and her eyes clouded over. “I know that makes me sound weak, but it’s the truth. I need a small town where I can begin to trust people again at my own pace.”
I shook my head slowly. “That doesn’t make you weak at all. It makes you a mature adult who knows what they need and gives it to themselves. I, for one, am glad you chose Auburn Hill.”
She huffed out a smile, letting me still cup her face. “Your injury was my fault, but I do have to say my sutures look amazing.”
I shook my head again, leaning in closer to whisper, “That’s not the reason I’m glad you’re here.”
She sucked in a breath, her wide eyes telling me she wasn’t ready but she was diving in anyway. It was my favorite expression of hers I’d seen yet. She leaned into me, her eyelids drooping, and I knew she felt the desire coursing between us more than fear.
I didn’t even have to lean down as she was almost my height. I just pressed my lips to hers and reveled in the feel of her softness all around me. My hand snaked along her waist and I squeezed her tighter than I should have. Her lips parted on a soft gasp and I took advantage, sweeping my tongue through her mouth and tasting her. For someone with enough piss and vinegar in them to scare a grown man, she tasted far sweeter than she had any right to.
