Page 94 of Forty, Flirty & Fall Inn

"So Luke," Killian continues, "this innkeeper.How's her business?"

"Growing.My security system SafeStay’s implementation at her inn is helping with visibility."

"But not profitability?"

"That's...in development."

"Ah."He nods knowingly."The savior complex.Very familiar.You see potential, want to help, get emotionally invested in the outcome.Soon you can't separate saving the business from saving the person."

"That's not?—"

"What's her burn rate?Cash position?Debt-to-equity ratio?"

"I haven't?—"

"You haven't looked?"His eyebrows rise.“From what I’ve heard about ya in the press, the famous Luke Sterling probably knows the serial numbers on his coffee makers.And you’re telling me you haven’t your, uh, date’s financials?"

"It's not like that."

"It's exactly like that.You're afraid of what you'll find."He leans forward."Let me guess the story.Family business, probably inherited.Drowning in debt but too proud to quit.Desperate enough to take any partnership, any lifeline.Even one that requires...creative interpretation of ethics?"

My jaw tightens."You don't know her."

"I don't need to.I know the type.For fuck’s sake, I married the type."He signals for another round."They're intoxicating.All that passion, that drive, that desperate need to succeed.Makes you feel like a hero.Until you realize you're just another asset to leverage."

"Okay," Connor interrupts."This got dark.We're supposed to be celebrating Callum's engagement, not conducting therapy."

"Apologies."Killian raises his fresh drink."To love, marriage, and statistical improbabilities."

The conversation shifts to safer topics.

Callum's wedding plans.The bachelor party logistics that definitely don't involve Vegas despite Connor’s protests.

But I can't stop thinking about Killian's words.

Creative interpretation of ethics.

Desperate enough to take any partnership.

Another asset to leverage.

My phone buzzes.Sage:Buttercup learned to open doors.Send help.Or a goat exorcist.

Reading the message, I smile.

"The innkeeper?"Killian asks, noticing.

"Goat emergency."

"Ah yes.The glamorous life of hospitality."But he's smiling too."She makes you happy?"

"She makes me...everything.Happy, confused, terrified, alive."

"Dangerous combination."

"The best things usually are."

He considers me."You're going to ignore everything I said, aren't you?Jump in with both feet, consequences be damned?"