"I'm in a gamer contest." He smiled and wagged his eyebrows. "Wanna take the reins and win a few rounds of Resident Evil for me?"
"Your sister doesn't play video games. She's an adult." My father never looked up from his paper.
Chuckling, I turned back to the stove. "I can't today, buddy. I'm doing some research for this new investor with deep pockets and a stiff personality. I gotta win him over."
I glanced over my shoulder as my father's lip lifted in a subtle smirk, but he tried to hide it.
"How about tomorrow we do something?" Parker finished his breakfast and brought the plate in the kitchen.
"I thought Dad said you had a sleepover tomorrow." I took his plate and wiped it off, willing to use it for my breakfast, too. Less to clean.
"I do, but we can spend the day together." He squeezed my shoulders from behind. "I'll teach you to snowboard."
"Yeah. Okay. I'd like that," I agreed. I pulled from him and worked to finish my breakfast. My father kissed the top of my head before leaving, which was a surprise. The last time we'd hugged or kissed had been the day I left for college five years ago.
* * * *
I pulled up the address for Warner Removal Services and plugged it in my GPS before changing into a pair of jeans, a cute sweater, and knee-high boots. I fixed my hair and put on a little bit of lip gloss. We were just going to be friends, so I needed to look nice, but not hot.
I checked my appearance one more time before letting out an angry growl and leaving the house. I would always find a million things wrong with me. It seemed to be one of the criteria for being a woman in my early twenties.
I made it to Finn's father's shop within twenty minutes and then sat in the parking lot, trying to decide how to go about getting his number. Maybe one of the other guys that worked with him would just give it to me. I didn't think talking to his dad was a good idea seeing that my dad and him had some bad blood between them.
It was already ten, and the day was moving by quickly. If Finn had asked off to spend it with me, like he said he was going to, I wanted to get it started.
Getting out of the SUV, I pulled my scarf tighter and walked up to the large hanger doors that were open. No one was standing outside, so I walked in and looked around. The building was like a mechanic's shop, with various machines and plows all over the place. I wasn't sure where to go and was quickly losing my nerve.
"Hello?" I called out and slid my hands into my pockets.
A stocky older man with a buzz-cut and piercing blue eyes walked out from the back. His flannel shirt and jeans fit him well. He was attractive by anyone’s standards.
"Morning, ma'am. How can I help you?"
As he moved closer, I realized from the resemblance that he was Finn's dad. How could he and my father have so much in common and yet hate each other? Both of their wives were deceased, they both loved Aspen, and both owned their own companies. Seemed like they would be the best of friends.
Odd.
I extended my hand and smiled. "I'm Chloe. I'm looking for Finn. I assume he works here."
The man smiled warmly and took my hand. "I'm Clark, his father. Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine." I glanced around and turned back to Clark. "He promised me he would call in sick and spend the day showing me the town, but don't tell his boss."
He chuckled and released my hand. "Did he now?"
"He did, but there's a problem with his promise." I lifted an eyebrow, liking the guy in front of me already.
"There usually is with that boy."
"He didn't get my number and I don't have his." I shrugged.
"Well, come on in here and let's call him together. We'll have him stop by and surprise him. What do you think?" He nodded and walked back toward the open door at the back of the warehouse.
Pulling one over on Finn was far better than just getting his number. I followed him and forced down the giggle that burned inside my chest.
"Were you part of the clubbing party Saturday night?" Clark glanced over his shoulder at me.
"I was, but I took Brian home and then went home myself. I think Finn was a little put off with us leaving him with all the drunks, but he took care of them. I was impressed. I'd have left them there." I took a seat as he motioned for me to inside a cramped office filled with papers and parts.