Back in Ferntree, waiting is enjoyable, the everyone-knows-everyone icing on every cake.Neighbors are friends, and friends are family.
I miss it deeply, along with my parents and Alice and the best rocky road fudge ice cream I’ve ever tasted, but this city called to my heart from the moment I learned of the world beyond the highway.
Growing up in a small town taught me the beauty of community.The value in people working together, sharing space and caring for each other.I’m determined to bring that to Chance in whatever way I can.
One day, the bylinebyMia Finneganwill be proof I’ve done some good in the world, not just three words that sit under a post for “17 Succulent Meals to Keep You Warm This Winter.”
I learned great reporting from the brave and brilliant minds of Sterling Ross, Ruslan Seitov, and Aubriella Noelle.Sterling is still in his prime—he’s only eight years older than me—but he kick-started his career with an explosive piece at twenty-two, which is five years younger than I am now.
Hopefully, I’m not too late to follow in his footsteps.
As soon as I discovered he lived and worked right here in Chance, atThe Observer, I knew where I wanted to be.
Huey said I forced him to move here.Maybe I did.I’d been so set on our big, bright future together that I hadn’t wanted to see any other option.He’d always been hesitant to change, always looking for the trap door in every decision.I thought he was just nervous.Heck, so was I.But I wanted to realize my dream more than I was afraid.
I still do.
“Anyway, I’ll get out of your hair now.”
Finally.
Lucky—and I’m still not over that—turns, giving me a wide smile.It is, of course, gorgeous and hugely distracting.His hair looks satin soft, as dark as his trimmed beard and equally well cared for.Then there are the tattoos.
“Floor’s all yours, love.”
Great.On top of it all, he has to be one of the sexiest men I’ve ever met.
I step forward, meeting Sarah’s smile with my own.
“A caramel latte and a fresh bacon and cheese sandwich to go.”I wince.“Please.”This is the end then.I’m finally rushed enough to forget my manners.
It’s all downhill from here.
Speaking of handsome strangers who I don’t have time for … he’s stepped to the side, but we’re close enough that I can count every freckle.
I stand a little taller, fighting the urge to hunch my shoulders, hiding my chest, which is another bad habit I’ve gained recently.You would, too, after a dozen different men stared at your breasts while telling you to smile more.As if they’d even notice from that viewpoint …
Sarah takes my money and returns with the sandwich.As I move away from the counter to wait for my coffee, Lucky joins me.
“You’re too tense.”
From this distance, I catch the notes of his woodsy cologne.It suits him.
“You’re too friendly,” I retort.“Your girlfriend could have served half of the line by now if you hadn’t been so selfish.”
His eyebrows climb up his forehead before he grimaces.“Sarah’s my cousin actually, but I’ll take that jealousy as a compliment.”
“You shouldn’t,” I say, trying to cover the flush of attraction and embarrassment flooding through me.This is why I don’t talk before coffee.
“My apologies.”But it doesn’t sound like he’s sorry at all.“Let me make it up to you.”He pulls a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket, casual, like they appear for him out of thin air.Maybe they do.“For your coffee.”
His face is angular, with pink lips under sharp cheekbones, and his smile moves like the tide, smooth and enticing.I take the money from him and ignore the spark I feel when our fingers touch.He might be able to treat money like it’s nothing, but I know a much more deserving recipient.
“Thank you.”
The bill folds easily into a napkin, which I place alongside Celine’s sandwich.
“I’m Lachlan,” he adds.“But you can call me Lucky.”
