Finn (Casella Cousins #3) - Kathryn Shay Page 0,13

wants condos here. It will completely change our street and the whole area.”

Dylan took the mic back but said, “Stay up here a minute, Finn.” To the others, “I’m opening this to discussion. Since there’s over twenty-five people here, could you raise your hands and I’ll ask for input. Liam, another brother, is over there and will be taking notes.”

Finn especially liked Liam, the friendly, unassuming one of the group. He waved from where he sat in front of a laptop.

Contributions were heartfelt…

“I own the hair and nail salons down the street. I rent the storefront. I’m afraid they’ll put one of those fancy spas in the condos.”

“I own Geppetto’s. A gourmet Italian eatery could kill me. I work in concert with the other restaurants and our menus complement each other. Their vendors wouldn’t do that.”

They heard from dry cleaners, three boutique grocery store owners, a Jewish deli, two candy stores, ice cream shops and more.

“I have a suggestion.” The woman who owned The Jewel, a specialty jewelry store near Bailey’s, stood when the participation ended. “I think we need a smaller group to take our brainstorming and find some feasible way to prevent Markham Management from buying up the property.”

“Good idea.” Finn spoke again. “I suggest the O’Neils meet with me right away. We’ll make a plan and split up the responsibilities among this group. And by the way, I already called the current owner of the building to see where he is in the sale process, but his voice message said he was out of town for a few days.”

Everyone agreed to the subcommittee and the meeting broke up. Dylan and Finn went back to the table where Millie and Bailey still sat.

Another O’Neil had approached them. “I’m Kinley. Pleased to meet you, Finn and…”

She said softly, “Millie”

“Hello, Millie. Does anyone mind if I join in?”

“And me?”

“And me?”

Liam and Patrick O’Neil had also come over.

Millie stood. “Somebody can have my seat. Your discussion is above my paygrade. I’ll participate when we have the renters’ meeting.”

“You’re welcome to stay,” Finn told her.

“I don’t feel comfortable. Thanks, though.” She left without speaking to him.

“I like her, Finn,” Bailey said.

He stared after her. “Yeah, me too.”

* * *

Millie walked fast to get home but it seemed to take an eternity. She wasn’t usually out alone at night, especially when it was cold out, but she needed to clear her head. Her emotions were out of control. Swirling around in her mind were the sale of the building and her life’s work going down the drain. Almost as bad, her thoughts were preoccupied with Finn again. She knew why.

He’d touched her so much the night on the boat—he’d run his hands up and down her arms, grasped her hands and even fucking braided her hair. He acted like he had the right to do all that, too. And then he was stupid at the bookstore, acting like he was jealous of Emerson. She knew him well and could read his moods.

She’d managed to keep her feelings at bay on her day off by immersing herself in the other things in her life: the soup kitchen, making lunch for Grandma and Grandpa and playing scrabble with them through the afternoon, and two long runs with Scout. But tonight, Finn looked so handsome in jeans that gloved his butt and a long-sleeved polo shirt that accented the green of his eyes. His hair had gotten longer, too, and he’d given it annoyed pushbacks. Unfortunately, she still thought every single thing about him was beautiful.

Tears clouded her eyes. Dear Lord, how did she get back here? Eighteen months ago, she went for therapy sessions to discuss how to cope with her emotions. Was she going to have to quit the store altogether like one counselor suggested? Did it even matter if there was no store in the picture?

A car pulled up beside her, stopping the tears and nearly her heart. She picked up her pace. The vehicle caught up and she heard a window buzz down. “Millie, let me give you a ride.”

She turned to the sound of Finn’s voice. Oh, no, she couldn’t. Not tonight when she was an emotional mess. “I’m fine, Finn. Go back to your meeting.”

“It’s over. We set some dates. Get in.”

“No.”

“Goddamn, Millie. Get in!”

When she didn’t stop, he whipped open the door and jogged up to her.

Instead of cowering, she lifted her chin. “I make my own decisions, Finn. You should know by now I won’t be bullied.”

“No? Are