I slunk into my seat. “I’m so tense, it’s like someone threaded a needle through the length of my body and is pulling it at regular intervals.”

What was I going to say later when Mom asked how the story was going? Sure, my visits at the nail salon and bookstore the day before had been pleasant, but I was still no closer to finding a good angle. I was entirely blocked for inspiration and completely devoid of hope I’d be able to deliver a publishable article in a week’s time. Any minute now, Derek would call for an update, and I had nothing to tell him.

On top of that, it felt like rocks the size of Stonehenge had lodged inside my throat over the clock ticking on our rent hike.

Then there was Finn, who’d basically confirmed the reason he was anti-relationship was somehow related to his father. Was I supposed to just clear what he’d said from my memory? Pretend it didn’t happen?

I rubbed my temples. Unlike a hangover, none of what ailed me could be cured with Gatorade, caffeine, and greasy food.

Kate tapped my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Finn just walked in.”

I groaned and instinctively looked behind me, immediately recognizing Finn waiting at the counter, thanks to his black leather jacket and perfect ass. Wasn’t there anywhere else to eat in this stupid town? I groaned again. It was a dumb question.

“Are you going to say hi?”

“Only if he sees us first.” I took a piece of bacon from my previously abandoned plate and broke it in half.

“Should we ask him to join us?”

I groaned for the third time. “Please, Kate.”

We had a couple of hours before we needed to head back to the city, and I wanted to use it wisely by talking to more locals for my story. A part of me wondered if the timing of the holiday was a sign I should stay back in New York City after dinner rather than obligate Kate to make the trip three times in one day. But I wasn’t ready to give up. Yet. I’d put too much effort into these last two weeks to leave with nothing. But how could I focus on my work with Finn at the forefront of my mind?

“We aren’t a trio. Let it go for now.” I raised my coffee to my lips.

“How are you two feeling this morning?”

“Finn. Hi.” I turned to face him too quickly, spilling coffee onto the table.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” His eyes locked with mine, and his expression mirrored my own distress.

Ignoring the two-way tension, I wiped the wetness with my napkin, then gestured at the white Styrofoam box in his hand. “Take-out?”

He nodded. “BLT and onion rings.”

“Healthy!” I joked.