I wracked my mind.He’s the stepfather and…Archer was the other one?Right. Gideon and Leo had been married. Apparently co-parenting was working.Props to them.
“We’ll leave you be before your meal gets cold.” Leo gestured to our food. “Truly lovely to see you, Finn.” He met my gaze. “I know you’re notnewhere, but welcome to Mission City. You’ll be so happy here that you won’t want to leave.”
A knot formed in the pit of my stomach. I saw this town as punishment for a transgression I hadn’t meant to make. As soon as I could get out of here—to anywhere—I was gone. “Thanks. Finn’s keeping me on my toes.” I turned to glare at him.
He smirked.
Quinton snorted. “Yep. That’s Finn. Maybe you’ll be the guy who can keep him out of trouble?” He linked hands with his husband and tugged him toward an empty booth.
I pivoted back to Finn. “Out of trouble?I thought you were a Boy Scout.”
“I am.” He puffed out his chest. “One of the scoutiest kids in town.”
“That’s not a word.”What’s he getting at? For that matter, what did Quinton mean?
“That’s as good as it’s going to get. Eat up.”
Reluctantly, I dug back into my now-cold food. Still delicious, to be certain…but cold.
“Coffee refills?” Sarabeth held the pot.
Finn put his hand over his cup. “I’m good.”
As much as I wanted another cup, I had the feeling we were almost finished here. I offered the vivacious blonde with the sparkling blue eyes a smile. “I’m good as well.”
“You can pay up front when you’re ready to go.”
On those words, I took a quick look around. To my surprise, the diner was now full with a line of several couples waiting to get inside. “Yes, we’ll get going.”
“No rush.” She said the words with a smile.
I believed her, but I also didn’t want to hold the table longer than necessary. “We’ll come and pay.”
Finn pointed to me. “He’s paying.”
“And you’re answering questions.”
“Not until you’ve paid. You might back out of our deal.”
“Deal?” Sarabeth grinned. “Another time, you’ll have to tell me about it.”
“Sure.” Even as I said the word, though, I mentally crossed my fingers. No way was I sharing my queries with someonewho clearly had the pulse of the heart of Mission City gossip. I wanted answers. From Finn.
After Sarabeth grabbed our empty plates, we followed her to the front of the restaurant. She deposited the dishes in a bin, turned, and entered our bill into a traditional cash register.
I honestly couldn’t remember having seen one like it in probably a dozen years or more. Everything was scanners and computers these days. I sort of liked the throwback vibe this place held.
I paid, and then escorted Finn out of the diner. “Now?” I guided him away from the lineup.
He shook his head. “I’m not going to answer your questions in a public place.”
I rolled my eyes. “You were the one who wanted a coffee. In public. And then you demanded dinner.”
“Hey! I asked nicely.”
You extorted me into it and I still have fucking zero answers.“Whatever. You want to go somewhere private?”
“Well, that was a nice date.”
