Page 24 of My Merry Mistake
Finn follows my gaze to the door, then back to me. “Oh. You have another person coming in. I could stay, maybe help with the vetting process.”
I’m starting to get really antsy.
“Finn,” I say, slightly more exasperated.
“I’m a great people person.” He smiles and shrugs his shoulders in a give-me-a-shot look.
I know what he’s doing, because he’s Mr. Nice Guy who wants to help, but in this moment I just need him to go. “You really can’t.”
“You sure? I’m not bad with?—”
I rub my temples and squeeze my eyes shut. “Can’t you just leave me alone?” I groan.
I open my eyes and find Finn’s smile has vanished. His whole demeanor and body language have changed.
Crap.That was too far. He looks wounded.
My mind races, trying to think of a nice way to backpedal.
And then, like a window opening back up after the winter, he brightens. If he was at all injured, he quickly recovers, painting a broad smile back on his face. “All right, Hart. I get it. I’ll go.”
I blow out a breath. “I’m—” I start to apologize, but he holds up a hand.
“Say no more. Sometimes I’m a lot.” He smiles, and I see no manipulation or insincerity in that smile.
It makes me feel worse.
I’m searching for the right words—as if “I’m sorry” won’t suffice—when the door opens again and a man I recognize from a photo in my inbox walks in.
Finn scoots out of the booth, notices the man, stands to his full height, and looks back at me.
“Looks just like the last guy.” He holds up his cup like a toast and says, “Good luck, Hart.”
He makes his way to the door. I watch him walk through the restaurant, past the next candidate—Justin, who I quickly turn my attention to.
I stand and he greets me with a friendly smile. “Raya?”
He leans for a hug as I go for a handshake.
I recalibrate and wrap an awkward arm around his back, and as I do, Finn turns back and looks right at me, a weird expression on his face.
Our eyes meet, and for a flicker of a moment, I can’t look away.
A years-old image I thought I’d erased flashes through my mind—a dark room, his hands on my hips, and a long, lingering gaze that held me captive, just like this one seems to be doing.
Chapter Six
Finn
Who hugs at the beginning of a job interview?
Weirdos. That’s who.
Or people not actually there for a job interview.
I don’t know what “job” Raya’s trying to fill, and I know my experience with interviews outside the food and drink service industry is limited—but a handshake feels way more appropriate.
Unless things have changed.
