His dad used to be the gravitational pull that made Finn feel at home, but after the funeral Finn had drifted, trying to find where home was next. Without Dad.
And maybe he hadn’t fought the drift. Maybe he hadn’t had the strength.
But maybe now, maybethis—Daphne, Lucy, even Jack—was his second chance.
“I know you’re busy with prep for opening Saturday.” Jack tossed a slice of pizza on a plate and walked over to Finn. “But since I work with you, I also know you’re ready.” He offered the plate. “You and Lucy want to join us for a short game night?”
“I’m not certain.” He rubbed the back of his neck. He really should go back over everything, but the cozy idea of staying just a little longer in this welcome environment tugged at him. “I probably should double-check the back-order list and—”
“It would be good for Lucy,” Daphne threw out there.
“And good for you, mate,” Jack said in the worst fake British accent Finn had ever heard.
Daphne shot him a frown. “Never do that again. Gran would be horrified.” She shook her head and turned back to Finn, the light in her eyes a sudden warning. “I think Finn is just scared that I’ll not only beat him at securing the wedding job but at Uno too.”
That smile—with that teasing curve that made his chest feel too tight—was pure trouble.
Beautiful trouble.
Finn held her gaze a moment longer, testing the air between them. Trying to see if there was room—space—for more than rivalry. Could she still believe something good about him?
Was it possible to prove to her that he could be the guy worthy of a future with her?
“We can stay for an hour,” he said more to Daphne than Jack. “See how I fare for a game or two?”
The catering competition might still be on. And Daphne still proved his competitor.
But maybe—just maybe—it wasn’t the wedding he wanted to win anymore.
He was out for a much more precious prize.
An unexpected treasure.
Daphne Austen’s heart.
Chapter 13
@TGDPub:You ever notice how coffee drinkers just... drink their coffee? Meanwhile, tea drinkers need an entire personality quiz, a three-act play, and the alignment of the planets before they can take a sip? #JustAnObservation #DrinkAndGo #TeaPeopleExplain
Comments:
@TeaThymeNC:@TGDPub Oh, I’m sorry, do you need me to apologize for having standards? The beauty of tea is in its subtlety. A gentle balance of flavors. An experience meant to be savored. Not burned to a crisp and buried under gravy. Some of us prefer elegance over culinary aggression. #TeaCulture #DelicacyMatters
@TGDPub:@TeaThymeNC The beauty of a real meal is flavor. Something tea culture wouldn’t know about since you people think “notes of chamomile” count as excitement. Try a full English sometime and then tell me a lavender biscuit changed your life. #FlavorOverFrills #JustEatTheChicken
@TeaThymeNC:@TGDPub I have tried your full English. My palate hasn’t recovered. You seasoned the potatoes like you were mad at them. Also, for the record, a goodlavender cookie (we are in the US after all) can change your life. Especially when not served next to something that looks like it survived a pub brawl. #RespectTheTea
@WisteriaGeneralStore:We’ve got #TeamTea and #TeamCoffee mugs in stock. Also a tote that says, “Don’t talk to me until the leaves have steeped.” #WisteriaWares #ShopLocal #GrubWars
@SheriffGrady:Are they flirting or fighting? Because I truly cannot tell. #SmallTownDrama
@PastorNateNHC:As long as they bring snacks to the next potluck, I don’t care what they’re drinking. (Though I’d like to remind everyone that coffee is mentioned in the Bible. Hebrews. Just saying.)
@TeaThymeNC:@TGDPub and @PastorNateNHC And lo, the prophet Isaiah said, “In quietness and trust is your strength.” Which sounds an awful lot like steeping to me. #SteepAndKnow #BlessedAreTheBrewmakers
@OldManRutherforton:Back in my day, a fella with this many opinions on a lady’s breakfast would’ve just bought her a meal and called it courting.
@TeaThymeNC:Not helpful, Mr. Rutherforton, but I’ll happily serve you breakfast.
