I wash up and change, making my way downstairs with a yawn. My long hair is up in a ponytail and I hunt around for Vysky’s leash. Making my way to the kitchen, I jump when I see someone standing at the counter.
Finn looks just as surprised to see me. “Morning.”
“Must you skulk around?” I demand, irrationally frightened. “What are you doing lurking about the kitchen so early in the morning?” It’s when that I notice the mug in his hand.
“I could ask the same of you,” he says.
I see the brewed pot of coffee and, unable to help myself, I pour myself half a cup, “It’s my house. I lurk where I want to.” Finishing the brew, I take in his appearance. The man never looks ruffled. He’s wearing a black T-shirt along with denim jeans and he looks good enough to eat.
Keep it in your pants, Winter, I order myself, annoyed.
“Where are you going?” Finn asks, leaning against the marble island counter.
Trying hard to ignore him, I put on my jacket, zipping it up, “For a run.”
“I’ll join you,” he says, smoothly.
“You’ll what…” My sentence trails off because he’s already shrugged into his jacket and is now holding the door open for me. There is no polite way for me to tell him that I don’t want to run with him so I end up going along with it.
Surprisingly, he’s a good partner for running. He doesn’t speak much and he lets me set the pace. We run for thirty minutes down through neighborhood till we reach the beginnings of the park and then we take a small break.
I sprawl out on a bench, trying to catch my breath and Finn sits down next to me, Vysky sniffing around.
“So, when do you plan to begin decorating your diner?”
I glance at him. “For the Christmas thing?”
He nods, slightly.
I take a swig from my water bottle and answer, “Not sure yet. I was going to do a grand opening ceremony instead but I guess that’s not happening now.”
“Opening ceremony?” Finn turns so he can lean his elbow on the back of the bench and face me. “What were you opening?”
I play with the cap of my bottle, gloomily as I explain, “I was going to buy the building across the street from the diner to expand but some rich asshole came and put in a higher bid. He’s going to open some sort of chain restaurant or something, apparently.”
“That upsets you?” Finn asks after a deliberate pause.
“Of course it does. Wouldn’t it upset you if you put in months of effort for something, all for it to be for naught? I had already talked to suppliers, secured deals with the furniture companies, conducted hours of research and made feasibility reports. I had even secured the terms for the loan I was going to need for the first three months.” My heart tightens with anguish as I went on, “And this random person comes in and starts outbidding me. If I ever meet him…” My hands tighten on my bottle, a flash of fury running through me as I state, “I’m going to – I’m going to…” I can’t think up of something horrifying enough to do to him.
“You’ll do what?”
“I haven’t thought that part out yet.” I suddenly scowl. “But I’ll make sure it hurts. Who does he think he is? Barging in here and taking away my…” My dream. I stand up. “Let’s not talk about it. I shouldn’t have brought it up. How long is your visit going to be?”
There’s an odd look on Finn’s face as he watches me. “I don’t know yet. It’s indefinite.”
I chuckle awkwardly. “You’re not planning to move here or something, are you?”
His expression doesn’t give anything away as h answers, “Who knows?”
“Do all your answers have to be so ambiguous?” I demand, a hint of irritation in my voice. “Would it kill you to give me a straight answer once in a while?”
This time, there is mischief in his smile. “Maybe.”
“Ugh!” I start stomping away. “You’re so annoying!”
He laughs and trails after me.
We walk back together and just as we reach the front door, he grabs my wrist, stopping me. “Clara.”