“Business first, pleasure second,” I said, relieved at his interest in my visit. I’d need more people like him and fewer like the unfriendly Uber driver and innkeeper if I was going to get my story. “I’m starving. Any recommendations for where I can get something to eat around here while I wait for my room?” I didn’t plan to go full throttle on work until the morning, but if I happened to meet a chatty waiter, I’d run with it.

“There aren’t too many choices, but your best bet is probably Pinkie’s Diner.” He pointed out a window covered with multicolored plaid drapes. “It’s two blocks down on your right.”

My heart warmed at the name as I pictured a fifties-style diner like Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe from Riverdale. “It sounds amazing! I hope they have homemade cherry pie!” My feet left the ground in a slight hop.

“Do you always get so excited about diners and…” He coughed. “Pie?”

At the amusement reflected in his face, I felt like an ass. “Of course not. It’s just…” I shrugged. “I’m living the whole city-girl-in-a-small-town fantasy.”

“What kind of fantasy are we talking?” He quirked a dark eyebrow in a sexy, panty-melting way.

“Not that kind of fantasy. Obviously.” The Hallmark movies Kate and I watched wouldn’t even qualify for a PG rating with their closed-mouth kisses and separate rooms until marriage.

“Obviously.” He smiled.

A moment passed. My thighs clenched with R-rated desire. Check yourself. I cleared my throat. “Right. I’d better get going. Pie awaits.”

“Well, I hope Pinkie’s lives up to your ‘not that kind of fantasy’ fantasy,” he teased, using air quotes.

“I’m here on a story for an online pop-culture magazine,” I blurted. “Life in Pleasant Hollow is intriguing to me after living in Manhattan for more than twenty years.”

He tilted his head slightly. “What are you writing a story about?”

“The development plans for the new condominium complex in town.” I purposely left out the Hallmark movie angle. He was hot, and I’d already embarrassed myself enough. “Can I get a rain check on this conversation, actually? I’m hoping to interview some locals to get their thoughts.” A potential source wasn’t required to ooze sex appeal, but as the journalist, I wouldn’t complain.

Finn’s lips formed an O. “Locals?”

I nodded. “Very little has been shared about the town’s reaction to the new development.”

He scrutinized me for a moment as if debating. Finally, he said, “I’d be happy to talk to you later.”

I beamed at him. “Fantastic!”

One side of his mouth lifted in a half smile. “Who do you work for, Adina?”

“Myself.” I winked. “For now.” With a wave goodbye, I was on my way.

Chapter Five

Chapter Five