Page 10 of Persuaded

“And he can sing.”

“Hell, yeah,” Lexa said, although her brow twitched into a frown. “Kylee got her claws into him real fast.”

Ali huffed in agreement and Joshua said, “Kylee Adams?” She owned the Rock House and probably had a good decade on Finn.

“Who else?” Lexa grumbled. “She was all over him like a rash.”

Glancing between them, Joshua sensed the ebb and flow of jealousy and tried not to add his own to the mix. He may have had no one significant in his life since Finn, but he knew full well that Finn had earned a reputation with women. It didn’t come as a surprise that he’d spent the evening flirting.

Besides, Joshua had had years to get used to the idea of Finn dating women. Not long after he’d landed his role as a vampire hunter inHigh Stakes, Joshua had stumbled across a picture of him online: Finn with a blonde and beautiful girl on his arm, looking every inch the poster boy for the all-American guy.

He had no right to be upset. He’d been the one to end things between them. Finn owed him nothing. Still. Kylee Adams...?

“Anyway,” Lexa said, straightening up from the table. “The barbecue is definitely on and Sean said to invite you, too, Newt.”

He blinked at her. “Really?”

“Yeah, he said—Oh my God!”

Her hand flew to her mouth, and then she ran it hurriedly through her hair. “It’s them,” she hissed to Ali. “They’re coming in!”

Joshua had all of three seconds to brace himself before the door opened and Sean strode in, all long limbs and easy strides, and behind him—

God, but it wasnothinglike looking at pictures online. Joshua wasn’t even slightly prepared.

Finn filled the room, sucked all the air from Joshua’s lungs. Maybe he took a step back, or maybe he froze in place, he didn’t know. And he didn’t know where Finn was looking, whether heeven saw him, because Joshua’s eyes were fixed on the floor, his head pounding with a thousand thoughts that all echoed to the same rhythm:it’s him, he’s here, it’s Finn.

It’s Finn.

“Hey,” Sean said from a million miles away. “You got a couple coffees for two hungover dudes?”

Lexa and Ali rushed to serve them, darting behind the counter and leaving Joshua adrift in the middle of the coffee shop. He couldn’t move, didn’t know what to do, just stood there clutching the rag he’d been using to wipe down the tables. All he could think about was the last time they’d been in the same room together, that terrible last day at his house when Finn had stormed and raged with tears spilling down his face.

This is bullshit, Josh! None of it matters. Just—please, okay? Don’t do this. I’m begging you, man. Don’t. Please...

“Hey, Joshua,” Sean said, relentlessly friendly. “Sorry you couldn’t make it last night.” He glanced around the coffee shop. “How’s the dishwasher?”

Joshua made himself look at Sean and not the man standing rigidly behind him, although he could feel Finn’s tension pulsing towards him. “It’s fine,” he managed to say. “All cleaned up.”

“Oh, hey,” Sean said, like he’d forgotten. “This is my brother, Finn.” He turned and gestured. “Finn, Joshua Newton. Joshua, Finn Callaghan.”

A number of things happened all at once: Finn’s eyes touched his for half a heartbeat, Joshua jerked his head in something like a nod, his mouth sandpaper dry, and Finn said, “Sean, I’ll see you in the car.”

And then he left, disappeared out the door, leaving Sean looking awkward. “Ah,” he said, scratching a cheek. “Sorry about that, he’s not normally such a jerk. But I guess he’s hungoverandjet-lagged...”

Joshua tried to smile, afraid it looked more like a rictus, and edged his way behind the counter. His legs felt weak. He needed to sit down.

Meanwhile, Lexa and Ali were taking customer service to the next level and heading out after Finn, carrying both coffees to the car. Sean seemed resigned, rather than surprised, and didn’t stop them. But as he followed he glanced over his shoulder at Joshua. “Hope we’ll see you on Saturday? Barbecue at the house—if that’s okay with you?”

He muttered, “Of course,” and Sean smiled and then the door closed and Joshua sank boneless against the counter.

It was over. He’d done it. He’d seen Finn again, heard him speak, looked him in the eye. And that had to be the worst of it, right?

Only maybe not, because one thing had been crystal clear: Finn Callaghan hadn’t forgotten and he most certainly hadn’t forgiven.

Chapter Four

Then

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