Page 66 of Finn Rhodes Forever

My stomach tightened and warning bells rang in my head.

One spot over, the Thompsons’ car was rocking as they ferociously made out in the front seat. I winced.

“I changed my mind,” I told Finn. “Let’s have dinner at my place.”

Finn’s smile turned smug. “Hell no,” he drawled.

My eyes darted to the restaurant. Through the windows, I could see Avery hustling around, greeting diners and coordinating with the staff, totally in her element. She used to manage the restaurant and when the previous owner was ready to sell, she couldn’t get a bank loan to buy it, so Emmett offered to cosign on her loan if she pretended to be his fiancée for his mayoral campaign. She bought the restaurant, Emmett won the election, and they got married. Last year, she hired a new chef and the restaurant had been featured in some major foodie publications. The place was packed every weekend during tourist season.

“We can order in.” I kept my gaze on the restaurant, heart rate speeding up. “We can cuddle on the couch. I’ll do anything you want.” My voice had a desperate, unhinged edge.

Finn laughed. “Nope. I want to see whatever you had planned.”

Fuck.

I chewed my lip. “I’ll wear lingerie.”

One eyebrow lifted. “You don’t own lingerie.”

“I do, I just never wear it.”

His gaze sharpened, pinning me. He was considering it.

He shook his head. “No way. You’re getting desperate so I know this is going to be a good time.” He opened the car door and walked around to open mine. “Let’s go, Morgan. Out of the car.”

I sighed.

I left the Thompsons in their vehicle and led Finn up the walkway to the restaurant. Maybe they’d get so busy in there, they’d forget what I had planned.

Avery greeted us with a big grin. “Hey, you two—oh.” Her gaze dropped to my outfit before she rolled her mouth into a thin line, eyes bright with laughter. She wrapped me in a hug. “You look terrible,” she whispered in my ear. “Nice work.”

She pulled back and gave Finn a quick hug before leading us to our table. People glanced at my outfit on the way and my stomach dipped.

I’d already taken the joke too far. This evening was supposed to get a rise out of Finn but it was a mistake planning it at The Arbutus. I didn’t care if people were laughing at me wearing something weird but I didn’t want to bring drama to Avery’s business. My heart thumped beneath the ruffles and I sucked in a breath as I took my seat.

Finn glanced at the other two place settings. “Are we expecting guests?”

“Mhm.” My voice sounded strangled.

The front door flew open and Shannon Thompson strode in. She saw us and lit up.

Finn spotted her and choked with laughter, hiding it with a cough.

“Oliviaaaaaaa,” Shannon sang as she approached the table. Diners glanced over at her volume but she didn’t notice. Her bracelets jangled as she walked. She leaned down and gave me a kiss on each cheek. “Mwah, mwah. Finn!” He stood and she wrapped him in a tight hug, squeezing for too long. The corner of his mouth twitched.

“Hi, Shannon,” he said, patting her gingerly while raising his eyebrows at me.

“Love your outfit.” Shannon’s hands rustled through my ruffles while she admired it. “You’re like a big sexy baby.”

Finn snorted but I refused to look at him.

“Okay.” I took my seat. “Where’s Jackson?”

“He needed a moment in the car.” Shannon slipped into the chair across from me, brushing her silk scarf over her shoulder. The restaurant door opened again and Shannon glanced over her shoulder. “Here he is.”

Jackson appeared at our table with a sleazy smile. A thick cloud of cologne consumed the table, forcing all the air out of the room. I coughed.

“Olivia, stunning as always.” He leaned down to give me an awkward side hug before shaking Finn’s hand. “Finn.”

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