Page 83 of Three Bossy Boyfriends
“Thank you.”
My gaze drops to her mouth, and I desperately want to kiss her. Maybe send her off to the date with a reminder of what she could have instead. Or what she can have after that date.
I bring her in, and she takes a tiny step forward. I tip her head back. “Whatever happens with Tucker, don’t forget how Evan and I feel about you.”
A tiny frown pulls her brows together, but I lean in and brush my mouth over hers. “You’re extraordinary.”
I know her history with Tucker goes back to high school. I know that she has felt different and like she doesn’t fit in with her sisters, and I wonder if there was any of that going on with other kids in high school. Like Tucker.
When they first met at our offices, there was obvious tension, and she didn’t seem to like him at all. The fact that they’re going out now actually concerns me slightly. I don’t want her going out with him because she feels lonely or like she has no other options.
“You deserve to be treated like you’re extraordinary,” I say against her lips.
She gives a little whimpering noise, then presses her lips more fully against mine. She pulls back quickly, though. “Thank you, Christopher.” Then, she takes a step back. “This is dangerous.”
“It isn’t. It’s simple, really.”
“It’s not,” she insists, stepping back again. “You and Evan are together. I’m leaving soon.” She glances toward my office door. “Let’s not risk bigger problems for either of us, especially you since you’ll be stuck here.”
She, of course, has a point. If anyone was to catch me messing around with Finley on top of what happened with Evan, regardless of how that turned out, it would cause issues for me. I don’t think the partners would remove me—I’m much too ingrained in the firm and far, far too good at my job, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt my reputation and that it wouldn’t get out to clients.
I pull in a breath and blow it out. “Okay. Just make sure Tucker treats you the way you deserve.”
She gives me a sly grin that I absolutely love. “No worries. I know exactly how I want Tucker to treat me.”
Yeah, jealousy hits again. “And I mean it, you can call us anytime, for anything.”
She starts for the door. “I will remember that. Thank you.”
I watch her leave, then swear under my breath.
I definitely shouldn’t mess around with her. Evan and I are together. She is leaving. All of that is true.
But Finley Anderson is proving to be very difficult to get over.
And now, not only do I have to think about her out with Tucker tonight, but I have to go home and tell Evan that she’s on a date.
I don’t think that’s going to go well.
CHAPTER 24
Tucker
I love this bar.
I love it because I know exactly what to expect every time I step in the door. Sticky floors, upbeat music, cold cheap beer, and familiar faces.
Nothing really changes. Not the decor. Not the menu of fried appetizers. Not the eighties cover band that plays every other Saturday night or the fact that Friday is dedicated to karaoke.
I also love it because no tourists are here. Sure, we thrive because of the Canadians taking two-week-long vacations in March and the New Yorkers grabbing a discount airline ticket for a quick weekend getaway. I love that they love our weather and our beach and our beach town charm.
But…I hate the traffic and waiting in line for a table at my favorite BBQ joint and finding out someone has walked their dog downtown and not cleaned up after them the hard way.
I’m a simple guy with simple needs, who doesn’t really love change, and who has had the same friend group since the age of five.
Shoving open the door, I spot my friends in our usual spot, stage left, two tables shoved together.
Swanson’s is a Honeysuckle Harbor staple for locals. The tourists have never discovered it because it’s down what looks like a questionable dead-end alley before entering the parking lot for the shipping docks. It’s chock full of fishermen, dock workers, and service staff for the various resorts that dot the coastline. It’s cash only, because the owner, Salty Sam Swanson, is, well, salty. He thinks credit card fees are for pussies.
