The Engagement Arrangement (Boots and Bouquets #2) - Jaci Burton Page 0,16
level, Owen?” Honor asked.
“Better now than it was at the beginning of treatment. I’m back at the brewery and, other than appreciating naps more now than I ever have before, I’ve been getting my stamina back.”
“Hey, never discount a nap,” Honor said. “They’re good for you.”
“Trust me, I listen to my body now. And I’ll feel even better when the chemo is done with. My numbers have looked really good, so I’m hoping I’m reaching the last of the treatments.”
“We all hope that,” Brenna said.
Honor looked over at Brenna and Finn. “We should hit up the Screaming Hawk now that Owen is back to work.”
“I’m always down for beer,” Finn said.
Brenna nodded. “I like beer.”
“Great. We’ll make a plan and do it.”
“I’d love to see you there. I’ve . . . missed my friends.”
“Hey, you’re still our friend and that’s not going to change,” Honor said.
“Thanks. I know that, but I’m trying to stay out of the way. Jason and Erin need their time together.”
Brenna couldn’t imagine how awkward it must be for Owen. His breakup with Erin meant also breaking up with a family he’d been a part of since they were children. And with his cancer treatments, they hadn’t seen much of him lately.
She didn’t envy his position.
“We’re Erin’s sisters,” Brenna said. “We’ll always be there for her. But we’re your friends and that isn’t going to change, Owen.”
“I appreciate that. More than you know.”
“Hey, buddy,” Finn said. “We’ve got your back. And I’ve got a need for some of that crisp lager you serve.”
“I’ve got it. You just have to show up.”
“Then we’ll make a plan,” Honor said.
Now that Honor was in charge of scheduling it, Brenna knew it would happen.
They finished their drinks and everyone got up to head out.
Owen hugged Brenna and Honor, then said good-bye to Finn and left. Finn walked with them to their vehicle.
“See you at the house,” he said.
“Okay,” Brenna said, feeling a little weird that he was waiting for them to leave like this was some kind of date, which it wasn’t.
Honor just smiled and said thank you, so they climbed into their vehicle and headed back to the house.
“You and Finn make a good couple,” Honor said as she drove.
“We are not a couple.”
“The way he looks at you tells me otherwise. And I saw you watching him every time he took a shot when we were playing pool.”
“I can hardly ignore him. He’s part of our group.”
“Yes, he is. But no one else in our group stares at his ass. Except you.”
“I did not stare at his ass.”
Honor went silent and it irked her.
“Nothing’s going on between Finn and me.”
Honor’s lips curved. “Okay. I believe you.”
“I mean, sure, he’s incredibly hot and all, and that accent is enough to make any woman fall into a dead faint at his feet. He’s around all the time and it was just convenient to ask him to pretend to be my fiancé because we know each other so well and he wouldn’t get the wrong impression. And he gets me and my weird quirks, you know?”
“Of course. Perfectly reasonable.”
She crossed her arms and stared out the window, feeling irritated with her sister but not understanding the reason for it.
“Why would it be a bad idea for you and Finn to get together, Brenna?”
“Because I don’t want to.”
“You don’t like him?”
She’d be lying if she said she didn’t have an instantaneous chemical reaction to Finn whenever she saw him or was around him. But those feelings were new and made her feel raw and just a little bit scared. She hadn’t had feelings like that for a guy in a very long time.
“I like him just fine. It’s just that he’s different from the guys I usually date.”
Honor let out a soft laugh. “You find fault with every guy you’ve gone out with since you and Mitchell got a divorce.”
“Finding a decent man is difficult.”
“Not when he’s right in your own backyard. Like, literally.”
She shook her head. “Finn and I are not a good match.”
Honor drove through the gates of their property. “Why not? He’s fun and attractive and smart and a good guy. And everyone in the family adores him. He obviously likes you. What would be so wrong about giving it a try with him?”
Brenna shifted in her seat to face her sister. “And what happens if I do give it a try and it doesn’t work out? Does Dad fire him?”