“Your suggestion to take a more casual approach led to interesting chats with Laura at Twinkly Nails and Grace at Books on Main, but I still don’t know what I’m writing about. I’m hoping once I talk to a few more people, I’ll find a common thread.”

The knots in my belly tightened. With Kate here, it was easy to forget the real reason for this trip. My feelings for Finn didn’t help either. But Derek was waiting. I’m giving you an opportunity here. Don’t blow it.

Our rent increase wasn’t going anywhere either, and I had yet to talk to my mom about it. I took another gulp of my drink. “I’m taking the night off,” I said, less for Finn and Kate’s benefit and more to justify putting it out of my mind for now.

“We can go to Lickety Splits and Mel’s Hardware Store at lunch tomorrow if you want.” He glanced between me and Kate. “Unless you two want to spend the day exploring. What do you think of Pleasant Hollow so far?” he asked Kate.

“Adi had prepared me to hate it, but I don’t. Granted, it’s not quite the stuff of storybooks, but it’s still a small town!” Her face shone with glee.

Finn chuckled. “What is it with you guys and small towns?”

Kate took a sip of her mocktail. As our designated driver, she was waiting until Brothers to drink. “We’ve both lived in the city our whole lives, where we’re surrounded by strangers. Imagine knowing all your neighbors beyond a curt nod of acknowledgment in the elevator. Having the mayor on speed dial. Your doctor knowing your name without slickly scanning your file before entering the examination room.” Kate beamed.

“I’m technically from a small town,” I argued.

Kate rolled her eyes. “You left Indiana before you could read. Doesn’t count.”

I gave her the side-eye. She never let me own my small-town origin.

“Where did you grow up, Finn?” Kate asked.

“Westchester, originally.” He fiddled with his silverware. “We moved around a lot,” he said with a questioning look at me.

I gave a quick shake of my head to signal that Kate didn’t know he’d been homeless. It was nothing to be ashamed of, but it wasn’t my story to tell. “You said your dad lives nearby. Do you see him often?”

“Too often.” He laughed, but it lacked sincerity.

“What about your sister?”

He muttered, “Not if she can help it.” Seeming to regret his words, he smiled and pointed his fork at me. “I know why Kate loves small towns, but what about you? You said you were living the city-girl-in-a-small-town fantasy. What’s that about?”