Page 10 of Give Me a Reason

The implication was clear—if I was going to be friends with Ireland, I’d be seeing Finn and Paisley too. I needed to find a way to get along with him because we were going to be seeing a lot of each other.

We ate at the picnic tables. Ireland insisted on getting a little of everything to sample and placed it on the picnic table for us to share. When I offered to contribute, Ireland told me to get the drinks. I took everyone’s order and headed to the closest tent to get the drinks.

Finn appeared at my side. “I thought you could use some help.”

“I could have gotten a drink carrier,” I said, wanting a moment to myself.

“What if they don’t have one? You know how tiny festivals like this are. I went to one last year, and they were out of straws. You might not think that was a big deal, but it was to a five-year-old.”

I smiled, remembering how my sister, Iris, was at that age. “Was it the end of the world?”

Finn’s eyes widened. “It sounds like you know kids.”

“I told you I took care of my sister and babysat a lot.” I didn’t do it just for the money. I loved kids. I always thought I’d be a teacher, but there was zero money for me to go to college. Loans were out of the question because I wouldn’t put myself into debt.

I felt his gaze on the side of my face.

“I still babysit. It’s extra money. I’m saving up to move into a bigger place.”

“So you said.” He cleared his throat as we moved up in line. “Listen, if you’re serious about babysitting on the side, I could always use help. I play gigs occasionally at bars on Thursday and Friday nights. You’d just be feeding her dinner and getting her ready for bed. Would you be interested in something like that?”

“You don’t even know me or particularly like me,” I said, marveling a little at my uncharacteristic bluntness.

“I wouldn’t say that.” His palm landed on my back, the heat of it searing through the thin sundress material, and his voice rumbled through my chest. For some reason, my nipples hardened at the contact. I was acutely aware of how close he stood in proximity to my body and his intoxicating smell, a blend of spice and man.

Then I thought about how convenient it would be to watch his daughter for a few hours and get some extra money. I’d contemplated picking up a serving job, but I’d had difficulty finding jobs in town. Unlike my sister, I’d never worked at a restaurant, and they wanted prior experience. “How do you know I’d be any good at it?”

“You said you babysat a lot and still do. Plus, I’ve seen you with Paisley. If it would make you feel better, you could come over and play with her, get to know her and me better. See if it would be a good fit.”

“All right,” I said just as the person at the booth asked if he could help us.

Finn beamed at me before giving him our drink order and then pulled out a twenty to pay.

“I told Ireland I’d get the drinks,” I protested as the worker took it from him.

“Don’t worry about it.”

I bit my lip. It wouldn’t look good to protest too much. I appreciated his help, but I also wanted to pay my own way.

“You can get dessert,” Finn said to me as the man gathered our drinks and placed them on the counter in front of us.

“You’ve got yourself a deal.”

Finn handed me one fountain drink and gathered the rest in his arms. “Does the deal include watching Paisley?”

I had a flash of uncertainty when I wondered if he’d be hooking up with groupies after the gigs were done, but then I remembered it was none of my business. I needed to focus on my priorities and not be distracted by a man.

“Paisley likes you. Will you give it a try for her?”

“Fine.”

Finn smiled and winked. “Perfect. Maybe you could come over one evening this week and get to know us.”

I flushed all over, my body feeling hot and tingly as we continued walking toward the table. We set the drinks down, and I wondered if I’d made a huge mistake. There was no mistaking the attraction I felt to him. Would I be able to ignore it to watch his daughter?

I rationalized to myself that he wouldn’t even be there. I’d only need to see him when I arrived and left. There’d be no late-night discussions or heart-to-hearts. It was extra money.

I pushed the deal out of my mind and focused on eating. They chatted about Paisley’s school and the upcoming talent show.

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