Finn had thought that coming to talk to his uncle would give him the perspective he needed to continue with his story. Instead, he found himself looking at his uncle in a new light. The man was getting old. Why hadn’t he noticed that before? It wouldn’t be too long before the women would stop chasing Frankie and he would end up alone. Was that what he wanted? He had modeled his adult life on his uncle’s. It had seemed like Frankie had the best life, but now Finn wasn’t so sure. “Thanks,” he said, standing to his feet and putting his untouched drink on the coffee table. “I knew you’d help me see the light.” Frankie grinned as he followed Finn out of the den and to the front door. “Any time, son,” Frankie said, slapping Finn on the back. “Any time.”Peyton stepped out of Bailey’s office building and blinked in the sunlight. Thankfully the rain had passed and the sky was blue. The heat was intense, but she breathed it in with relish. Today felt like a new beginning. The whole mess

Carter pulled out his chair, unbuttoned his suit coat, and sat down. He smoothed his hand down his tie and avoided looking at Finn. “You are such a fucking bastard,” Finn spat at his friend. “Why the hell would you do something like that?” “Cross-promotion,” he said, looking up at Finn. “What the hell, Carter?” Jack asked. “Since when have you been so focused on revenue?” Parker asked. “What’s going on?” “Nothing is going on,” Carter said with a sigh. “Look. I contacted the program before I knew how much of a success Finn’s blog was going to be. I thought that if the subscriptions were still flagging then I could give them a boost.” “But that didn’t happen,” Finn said. “The blog has been successful and the subscriptions are climbing again.” “Right,” Carter said. “But…” Parker waited for Carter to continue. Carter sighed. “But now I am locked in with them and can’t get out of the agreement I made.” Finn jumped to his feet. “Oh for

Finn couldn’t help the evil grin that split his lips. If he was going to have to suffer in a world of hurt then why shouldn’t Liam? “She’s sitting over there with that table of guys,” Finn pointed out helpfully. Liam lifted his glass to his mouth with a nonchalance that didn’t reconcile with the look in his eyes. Finn filed that little bit of information away for later analysis. Did Liam have feelings for Mia? “They look good together,” Liam said with a nod to where Peyton was still dancing with the douchebag. “Shut up arsehole,” Finn said, finishing off his drink. “Jealous? Worried that someone might be using your own column against you?” Finn straightened in his seat and took a look over his shoulder to where Peyton was. Is that what that guy was doing? He heard Peyton laugh and watched as the guy led her off the dance floor and back over to where Mia was sitting. The guy had brought her out on a group date. Son of a bitch. Liam chuckled. “Now

Finn knocked on Jack’s door. He knew it was late, but he also knew Jack would be up. The man barely slept, from what Finn could gather. The door opened and Jack stood there, his hair sticking up in all directions and his eyes sleepy. “Shit,” Finn said, “did I wake you?” “It’s okay,” Jack said with a sigh. “I fell asleep on the couch.” He stepped back and opened the door wider. “You look like you need a drink.” Finn stepped into Jack’s apartment and looked around. It was basically a carbon copy of his own apartment except it was two levels below. There were two apartments on this level, but only Jack’s was occupied. They had talked about getting a tenant in for the empty apartment, but the five of them kind of liked having the entire building to themselves. “What’s going on?” Jack asked as he handed Finn a drink. They walked over and sat on the couch and Finn sighed. “I don’t know what’s happening with me,” he said. “This thing with Peyton…” he faded out.

Rhonda was not what Peyton expected. The woman was a knockout, and tall. Taller than her husband. Rhonda pulled Peyton into a hug. “So glad to meet you. You’ve come on a good night. I’ve made lamb shanks.” Finn groaned and Peyton looked over at him, surprised. “Sorry,” he said with a grin. “I love Rhonda’s lamb shanks. She cooks them in Guinness. They’re amazing.” “Come on, let’s get you a table,” Phil said. “You get back to the kitchen, woman,” he said affectionately to Rhonda. She bopped him on the butt and laughed as she walked back to the kitchen. “Here,” Phil said, presenting a table to them. “The best seat in the house. I’ll be back with the wine.” Finn held out her chair for her and she smiled up at him as she sat. “I love this place already,” she said. “I’ve been coming here forever,” Finn said as he sat. “The food is always good, but I just love Phil and Rhonda.” “You’ve really never brought a date here before?” Peyton asked.