You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) - Melanie Jayne Page 0,37

Izzy wanted,” Hale answered truthfully and a little flippantly.

“Well, with your history, I think it’s very nice that he would come. I guess since you’re a Cameron, he feels like he has to,” Veronica continued.

“Plus, you do business with the firm.” Lauren, The Silent, found her voice.

Hale felt an arm slide around her waist and she jumped. She turned her head to the left and Finn smiled down at her.

He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. “I heard my name over here, what are you ladies saying about me?”

God, she was leaning into Finn. It felt so good, like she was safe and protected. She straightened, but he didn’t let go of her waist.

“We were discussing how nice it was that after everything you had been through with her, that you would come to her party.” Veronica did everything but make those “tsk” sounds.

“Now ladies, I know that you are not giving Hale a hard time about what happened when we were kids.” Finn gave his most charming smile. “I’m enjoying getting to know Hale all over again. I’m glad she chose to move back.” He gave her waist a squeeze.

Hale gave Finn a smile of gratitude as she relaxed against his strong body.

He winked at her. He shifted his hold to keep her close.

“You aren’t saying that you two are friends now? I mean, I can see why you would be nice to her as the mayor, for business. I’d think you’d be avoiding her like the plague.” Jean Ann was like a dog with a bone.

Hale could feel Finn’s arm tense around her. At that moment, she hated this party, and the women standing in front of her.

“Now Jean Ann, shame on you. Hale and I are friendly. I’ve even stopped in at her house a few times to visit.” He made it sound like she borrowed sugar from him.

It took everything she had not to laugh at his misleading comment. And just when she didn’t think things could get more uncomfortable, they did. Major joined the group, crowding her other side.

“What was that you just said?” he asked sharply.

“Well hello, Major.” Jean Ann blushed after speaking.

“Ladies.” He nodded at the three witches. “Finn, what was it you just said?” Major’s tone held a challenge.

Finn chuckled. “I was saying that of course Hale and I are friendly.”

“Define friendly.” Major’s shoulders were hunched.

“He claims he stops by her house to visit,” Jean Ann answered.

Major did not take his eyes off Finn. “He does, does he?”

“Problem?” Finn did that annoying single-eyebrow thing.

It was time to enter this conversation, Hale tried to pull away from Finn, but his hand splayed open over her hip and onto her stomach. “Major, that’s what friends do.”

“How many times?” Major said through clenched teeth.

“Several.” Finn threw out with a wolfish smile. “I don’t even have to call first. I’m always welcome.”

Damnit, who told Finn that she required Major to call before stopping by?

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for a man with your reputation to be visiting a single woman at her home.” Major managed to sound like a throwback from the fifties.

Hale’s and Finn’s gazes met, and burst into laughter. The absurdity was priceless.

Veronica always enjoyed stirring the pot. “Major, I noticed that you came with Hale, are you saying that you don’t want Finn coming around her?”

“No he is not.” Hale’s hold on her temper was fraying. “First of all, I can be friends with whomever I want, and I am the only one who can decide who is welcome in my home. Secondly, Major, you don’t get to tell any woman what they can do. Welcome to today’s reality.” Her voice was strong but her body shook with anger. She was barely holding onto her temper. The idiot would not shut up.

“Hale, you might not be aware, but Finn has a reputation with the ladies. He’s been with many women.”

“Jealous?” Finn asked with a smirk.

“No, I consider myself a gentleman. I respect the ladies that I have known.” Major managed to look sincere.

“Oh that is so sweet.” Jean Ann held her folded hands to her breast.

“That is a lovely story, Major, but you left out the part where you date the ladies who have prime real estate in the area,” Finn boldly stated.

“That’s, that’s ridiculous. How dare you?” Major drew his slight body taller, as if he could add a few more inches to his height.

Was this shit really happening? “Enough.” Hale raised her voice over the males. Were they