Page 31 of My Merry Mistake
He leans back. “I’m not saying you’re a fool, but youarea little foolish sometimes. And I think it’s your best—and your worst—quality.”
“So, I’ll change.”
He shakes his head. “You’re not hearing me. You’re amazing. You’re hilarious. You’re easygoing and fun to be around. You have a great family, and you look out for literally everyone else.You don’t need to change that. Plus, you can’t change yourself into the guy you think she wants. You know that, right?”
I chew the inside of my lip. Because part of me hoped to do just that.
“You two are either right or you’re not. Doesn’t make any sense to pull a bait and switch.” He turns the cup around in his hands. “She’s too smart for that anyway.”
“So I have to figure out a way to win her over without changing my whole personality, which she absolutely loathes,” I say. “Got it.”
“She doesn’t loathe you.” He laughs and looks out the window, as if he’s considering something, then turns back. “We just have to sell her on your many excellent qualities.” He claps me on the shoulder. “I think she’d be lucky to have you.”
“You mean that?”
“I do,” he says. “You’re one of the best people I know. We just need Raya to get on board.”
I nod. “Thanks, Burke.”
“You got it,” he says. “I’ll text you details once Poppy gives them to me.”
I smile. “You’re a lucky guy. She?—”
“Yeah, I know,” he says, cutting me off. “She’s pretty special.”
“I was going to say that she doesn’t put up with your crap, but yeah, we’ll go with special.” I crack a smile.
He moves quickly, reaches over, and puts me in a headlock. He’s way stronger than I thought, and I literally can’t get free.
“Sorry, what? What was that? I can’t hear you, buddy,” he says, sticking his free hand in my ribs, making me squirm. I jab him in the side and he finally lets me go, laughing.
Feels like going a round with my older brothers—and it’s one of the things I really love about this team.
I go quiet, resting my head on the back of the seat, thinking about what Burke said, about Raya, and about a small, dark hallway that still begs the question—What if . . .?
Chapter Eight
Finn
The next night, I show up at Burke’s house in Loveland with a bag of chips and a ball of energy in my stomach. Burke’s text didn’t say who they’d invited tonight, but the prospect of seeing Raya has me nervous.
Because after tonight, I’m hoping to unveil Finn Holbrook 2.0. Still me, just a little more serious. A little more grown-up.
Hopefully, it’s what she’s looking for.
Poppy opens the door, and I hand her the chips. “I know you’re a fancy chef and everything, but my momma said to never show up empty-handed.”
Her smile is wide. “Well, I already love your momma. Thank you for this. They’ll go perfect with the dips I made.”
I follow her into the kitchen and see a spread of food out on the counter, set up buffet style. Poppy empties the chips into a bowl and sets them on the counter next to the dip. It’s kind of her since there’s already another bowl of chips out.
“Dallas is in the living room with Gray,” Poppy says.
“But we think we’ll keep you in here with us.” Eloise walks in and looks at me. “Just for a second.”
“Don’t freak him out!” Burke calls from the other room.
Both women face me—Eloise with her arms crossed, eyebrows raised, and Poppy with the hint of a smile on her face.
