“Your greatest occupational dream is not to work at Furry Tails,” she said.
“No.”
“What do you want?”
“When I got out, I was planning on a career in technology.”
“And now?”
“Cars. Working on cars is the thing I like to do most. I want to start a business buying, restoring, and reselling.”
She lifted her head so she could see his face. “I love that plan. It’s what you’re passionate about.”
“It’s one of the things I’m passionate about. But it’s a far second to you.”
Desire curled deliciously within her, and she lost herself in his gaze—
“Just so you know”—Meadow’s loud voice broke the intimacy of the moment—“we see you, so don’t move forward with PDA thinking you’re alone.”
“You don’t have to be alone for PDA,” Finley called back. She wrenched her attention to her friends, who were making their way across the garden. “That’s why they’re calledpublicdisplays of affection.”
“Fine!” Meadow gestured. “Go ahead and kiss him right in front of us.”
“We’ll use extreme self-control and resist.” Finley climbed to her feet.
Luke also stood, exchanging hellos with her friends.
A blush darkened Bridget’s fair skin. Finley had yet to see Bridget withstand Luke’s presence without blushing. “I’m sorry we interrupted you,” Bridget told them.
“You didn’t interrupt,” Finley said, even though they kind of had.
“I’m going to head inside and check something on my laptop.” Luke moved off.
“Luke,” Meadow said.
He stilled.
He was much taller, so Meadow had to tilt her chin way back. “I know I’ve acted sort of ... suspicious of you.”
“You have?” Luke asked with a straight face.
“I have. But that’s because some men are toads, and I’m really protective of my friend. I was thinking that you were a toad, but you’ve proven that you’re actually not. Now I think you’re .. .”
Luke waited.
“Decent,” Meadow proclaimed.
“Thank you,” Luke said solemnly.
“You’re welcome. But if you hurt Finley, I’ll drop-kick you.”
“If I hurt Finley, I’ll drop-kick myself,” he said, then continued toward the building.
“That was very big of me,” Meadow said to Finley and Bridget.
“It really was,” Finley concurred. “Group hug.”
They embraced.
