I squirmed. “For my story to work, he’s supposed to be the enemy.”

“Let me guess. No one hates him?”

“No one I could find.”

Finn’s eyes gleamed.

“Don’t rub it in.”

His mouth formed a thin line. “Do you think The Hollows is bad for the town?”

I thought of nightly happy hours, convenient businesses in the lobby, and direct shuttles to the city for commuters. “I plead the Fifth. I don’t want to incriminate myself.”

He stared me down for a beat. “Off the record.”

“Off the record, this town could use some enhancements. The food sucks. The beer is…functional at best. And would it kill them to have a carnival? A farmers’ market? Something townie.” I was rambling. And Finn was looking at me funny. “What?”

“Adi.” His eyes gleamed. “Not all small towns are like what you see on TV. And when they are, some are more like Deliverance than Hallmark.”

“I’m well aware,” I growled, even as my belly flipped at his use of my nickname. “Were you listening when I said my story rests on the comparison to Hallmark?”

He stopped laughing. “No. You’re right. This is your career at stake. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I have to find something quaint, cozy, and community-centric about Pleasant Hollow without lying. The struggle is real.”

“While you’re working on it, can I make you another drink?”

Something pulled in my chest. All I’d wanted to do after this disaster of a day was drown my sorrows in mediocre beer all by myself. Sharing a drink with Finn hadn’t inspired a miraculous breakthrough in my story, but it had drastically improved my mood. Hooking up with the city guy wasn’t in the script, yet there wasn’t a molecule inside me that didn’t want to stay for another G&T and talk more. And if talking led to kissing, then… Especially since it didn’t look like I’d be including The Hollows in my story, thus removing any conflict of interest.

“Adi?” Finn studied me curiously.

I nodded and held out my glass. “I’d love another drink.” And for you to keep saying my name: Adi. Adi. Adi.

A minute later, he handed me a fresh G&T. “You asked about me, huh?”

“What?” I bent to pick up the napkin I’d dropped on the floor.

“You asked my staff what I’m like to work with. What was that about?”

I froze as heat whipped across my cheeks. “Oh, that.” I straightened, fully expecting to face Finn’s cocky grin. Instead, he looked almost bashful, like he’d dipped his toe in flirting and worried he’d be met with icy water. My insides turned to goo. There was nothing wrong with acting on a crush as long as I didn’t expect a physical connection to lead to a happily ever after.