Page 81 of Chance of a Lifetime

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“The problem with snakes in the grass,” Suzette said over a bite of jalapeño popper, “is that they don’t always look all scaly and gross, so you never expect them to strike.”

Cora watched her friend finish her third martini, then signal a server for another. It was after eight o’clock and they’d been at Danté’s for just over an hour. Finn had joined them shortly after they’d arrived, and Cora was grateful for his company. Suzette was on a roll about the pitfalls of dating unsavory men, and Finn was taking it like a champ. In fact, Cora was enjoying his easygoing humor, and even though Suzette was grumpy, he seemed to have a calming effect on her.

“Sometimes snakes look all hot and sexy, and they lure you in with those swirly, hypnotic eyes,” Suzette continued. “Like the snaky dude in The Jungle Book, you know?”

“Kaa,” Finn offered.

“Yes!” Suzette pointed her jalapeño popper at him. “Exactly. I knew you’d understand. Because you’re not a snake, are you, Finn? You’d never use those big brown eyes to hypnotize anyone.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Finn caught Cora’s gaze and winked. He did have rather nice brown eyes. And he was such a trooper, acting as the sounding board for Suzette’s latest rant.

“Finn.” Suzette looked at him in surprise. “You’re a man.”

He gave a self-deprecating smile. “Last I checked.”

“Why are you single? You’re cute and nice and all that stuff. Women should be falling all over you.”

He took a drink of beer, a deep flush spreading up his neck.

Cora found it endearing. “Suze, leave him alone.”

“What?” Suzette looked offended. “I’m paying him a compliment. He’s got a lot of great qualities. I’m surprised he doesn’t have a harem of dancing girls on speed dial.”

“Maybe he does,” Cora said. “How would you know?”

“I don’t,” he said quickly. “For the record.”

“Why not?” Suzette pressed. “Too busy being Super Attorney defending the innocent and all that?”

Finn’s mouth quirked like he was trying not to smile. The smile won out. “I suppose I just haven’t found the right dancing girl.”

Cora was reminded of that dance they shared at the gala. She’d even thought about it a time or two afterward.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” Suzette sang out. “Tell that server to bring me another drink, will you?”

Cora waited until Suzette was out of earshot. “I think I’m just going to order her water and call it a night. She mentioned having an early client in the morning, so she’ll thank me tomorrow.”

“You’re a good friend,” Finn said with a smile.

Cora fiddled with her necklace, aware of his warm gaze on her. Something sharp caught at the nape of her neck. She sucked in a breath, frowning.

“What’s wrong?”

She reached back to rub away the sting. “Oh, it’s just the clasp on my necklace. There’s a bit of a rough edge on it and it keeps getting caught.”

“Let me see.” Finn motioned for her to turn around and she did, lifting her hair off the nape of her neck. “Ah. Hold on.” Warm knuckles brushed across her skin, making her shiver as he untangled the clasp.

“All better,” he murmured. “I should take it back to have them fix it.”

Cora turned to face him. “What do you mean?”

He opened his mouth, then closed it. Guilt flickered across his face and he blinked rapidly.

“Finn?” Cora stared at him in surprise. She’d never seen that look on him before.

“I’m sorry.” He swallowed visibly. “I asked Liam not to say anything because I didn’t want you to be mad at me.”