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“I would expect this from Jack, not from you, man.” Mark shook his head. “Not from you.”
“That’s not fair to Jack.”
Jack had changed a long time ago, but was still paying for his womanizing ways. Even here on his wedding day, where he had pledged himself to one woman forever. Talk about people’s perceptions. Would there ever be a day when he wasn’t paying for his past?
Mark grimaced. “You know what I mean.”
Finn took a deep breath. “It wasn’t my intention to betray your trust, bro. I just…”
He’d just what? He’d just fallen head-over-heels, completely in love with her…that’s what. But it didn’t matter. Because it was destined to end. Even if they decided to pursue whatever it was between them long-term, one of them would have to compromise. And over time, that compromise would end up ruining everything they had tried to build together.
“So, what are your intentions? Are you seeing her? Is it serious between you?”
“I—” Finn cleared his throat. God fucking knew. “I don’t—”
Mark’s lips pressed into a thin line at his wavering response. “Fuck. This isn’t like you, Finn. You’re not the fuck-em-and-leave-em type. Why start with my damn sister?”
“We’re not just fucking. It’s—” They were sharing something so very special. Something he would remember forever. But it was something they should have left alone, to avoid the fallout all around. “I don’t want to hurt her,” he said at length.
“But you’re going to, aren’t you?” Mark’s accusing words struck him like bullets to the chest. What had she told him? The small vein in his friend’s neck was pulsing again and his fists were clutching. Not a good sign.
“I didn’t think it would change things between us. Any of us.”
“How could it not?” Mark demanded, fury seeping from every word. He was not letting up. He was like an attack dog. But Finn would stand there and take every insult, every accusation. If he’d had a sister, he would be doing the same thing, feeling the same way.
But what Mark failed to realize was that Veronica had set up the casual, temporary arrangement herself. And when the dust settled, and they both went their separate ways, it would be Finn’s heart that was broken.
His servers scurried silently around them, picking up the finished plates to bring to the dessert table. And this food wasn’t even the last course. He still had the midnight supper to prepare. Sliders and poutine weren’t going to make themselves.
He lowered his voice. “Mark, I’m sorry.”
“I’m really trying not to punch you right now.”
Which was a good thing. Finn wasn’t a man who liked to use his fists to settle an argument. To settle anything, ever. And he most definitely wasn’t going to start now. Nor did he want to be on the receiving end of someone else’s.
“I appreciate that,” he said.
“I told myself I wasn’t going to do this here. I wasn’t going to cause a scene. But I can’t help it. I just can’t believe you would do something like this. You know how fragile Veronica is.”
Finn shook his head. “Whoa, there. Your sister is not fragile. Far from it. She’s strong, determined, and braver than anyone I know. If you hadn’t taken off and left her here to fend for herself for so long, maybe you’d know that.” Finn’s voice was raised now. He knew it wasn’t very professional to have a fight in his own kitchen, in front of his employees. He was always so calm and collected. But damn it, this was important.
Mark reared back. “What is this? Gang up on Mark day? Christ. I work my frigging ass off to help support those two kids, but because I’m not here everyone forgets if it weren’t for me they’d all be living far below the lifestyle they’re accustomed to.”
Anger simmered under Finn’s skin. Because Veronica worked her own ass off to contribute, too. And Mark seemed to be forgetting that small detail.
“Do you think I like being away from my family, from everything I know? But I do my part. I send money.”
Money? That’s what he thought was important? “Very pimpish of you.”
“Pimpish?” Mark fisted his hands at his sides. “You’ve got some pretty big balls there, O’Reilly.”
“Yeah? Well, some people like that about me.”
Mark cursed under his breath and lunged forward, grabbing the bottle of coulis from the island. Before Finn even had the time to flinch, Mark squeezed. Swee
t red liquid covered Finn’s face. Once he was over the shock, he licked his lips and wiped at his eyes. When he was finally able to see through the thick, sticky red mess, he zeroed in on Mark. His friend’s shoulders were a little less rigid, his hands not quite as stiff and close to his body. The fury darkening his face had softened. But it hadn’t retreated completely.
“What the hell is going on?” Cal rushed over from the tent entrance and stepped between them.
