Page 6 of My Merry Mistake
“Hey there, Hart.” He pins me in place with a smile. “Remember me?”
Unfortunately, yes.
“What are you . . .?” But my voice trails off. Because it’s Finn. Bartender Finn. The guy who witnessed my first—and only—full-fledged meltdown. The guy who knows things about me that nobody else knows.
He’s filled out and bulked up. A man version of the boy I saw five years ago. If I walked into his bar today, I’m pretty sure I’d look twice.
“Love the costume” he nods at me. “Are you an undertaker?”
“Morticia Addams,” I say, wishing I wereanyoneelse. Someone with a mask, preferably.
“Morticia . . . right.” He gives me a nod. “You wear it well.” He opens a can of Coke and hands it to me.
“Thanks.” I turn it around in my hands, then lean closer and hiss, “What are you doing here?” I’m not surprised he’s still bartending, if I’m honest, but I am surprised he’s doing ithere. I mean—what are the odds?
He leans toward me and mimics my hiss. “What areyoudoing here?”
“My sisters dragged me,” I say, inching back—our faces do not need to be that close. “One of them is dating a hockey player. Believe me, I’d rather be home with a giant stuffed-crust pizza and my pajama pants.”
“Not into Halloween, then?”
I glare at him. “Do I seem like the Halloween type?”
“Not even a little bit.”
I frown. “Who are you supposed to be?”
“Peter Quill,” he says, arms wide, spinning around, pretending like he has a microphone. “Come and get your love,” he sings.
“Who?”
“Come on, man . . .Star-Lord? FromGuardians of the Galaxy?”
“Never saw it.”
“What?” He gasps, like this is the craziest thing he’s ever heard. “That’s a travesty. It’s the best Marvel movie.” He pauses. “Second best.” Another pause. “Hmm. Top five,definitely.” He watches me. “We should watch it sometime!”
“No thanks,” I say absently. “I don’t think it’s my kind of movie.”
He looks like he’s fake pouting, and I catch a glimpse of Poppy and Dallas walking our way in the reflection of the mirror behind him.
I drop my gaze to him. “Listen, my sisters don’t know about?—”
“The night you tried to kiss me?” Finn cuts in, voice low.
My eyes go wide. “That isnotwhat happened.”
He pulls a face.
“Are you going to make this a thing?” I feel myself reeling.
“Probably.” He grins. If I weren’t so annoyed, I might find him attractive. Completely wrong for me, but the man is good-looking.
I look away, irritated.
“All right, I get it,” he says. “You want me to keep your secret.”
“That’d be great.”
