She might have lied to Brian to save him from asking her out. She was that type of girl to save a poor guy from looking too much liked an idiot. I knew because her character screamed goodness. The memory of her bringing the cup of hot chocolate to me a few days back rose behind my eyelids and my heart contracted painfully. Sitting in her kitchen and talking about nothing had been so damn nice. So right.

"What are you thinking?" Brian asked.

"That I need to get her back. I fucked things up tonight because her brother validated what you just said, and I was angry with her." I shrugged. "I should have been a man and just asked her about it, but I didn't. I acted like a brat and treated her like she didn't matter, which honestly couldn't be farther from the truth."

"You just met her, Finn. Don't you think you're being a little irrational about this?"

"Not at all." I glanced over at him and took a swig of my beer. "But then again I believe in love. I've tried to pretend like I don't so I don't have to hurt so much, but the honest to God truth is that I believe in it."

"And you should." Pauly butted in, leaning toward us and staring me in the face. "I met my wife on the dance floor one night thirty years ago. It was an old country hoe down in Kentucky and the minute I saw her, I knew. Sounds silly, but that's because it doesn't happen to everyone. Those of us who are struck with its overwhelming power know the truth of it though. If you've felt it, you better not let it go, Finn. It don't come around but once in a life, and sometimes not even once."

"That sounds great, Pauly, but I've never felt like that. Not once." Brian sat back and lifted his eyebrow at the old barkeep.

"Just because you've never tangibly seen gravity, you can't deny that it exists, Brian. It's a force just like love is. Stop being ignorant and open yourself up to the possibility that somewhere in the world there a woman just for you. When you see her, time stands still and you find yourself willing to-”

I cut him off as I stared at the liquor bottles behind him. "To do anything for her. You'll give up your own dreams, cut family ties, or move across the country for her. Anything to have her as yours."

"That's it. Don't let that go, Finn. The world will pull it away from you. Fix it and hold tight to that girl. She's the one." He winked and moved back, his words leaving me breathless.

"I don't know if I believe that, but I wish I did." Brian turned to me. "I didn't meant to cause you any trouble. You're like a brother to me. When she said she was dating someone, I told you. No way was I keeping that from you. You'd have done the same."

I finished the beer and shook my head. "I know, buddy. I'm sorry I blew up."

"It's all good. What can I do to help?"

"I'm not sure yet, but if I think of something I'll call."

"You heading out?"

"Yeah. I need to see if she'll see me. I doubt it, but I'm going to try."

"Just be careful. Her old man is a financial mogul. He's a dick too. I had a run in with him a few years back, but until her friend said her last name the other night, I had no idea. It took me a day to put two and two together."

"Her father owns a clothing line, right?" I glanced over at him, praying I wasn't about to uncover another lie.

"Yeah, he does, but he owns a chuck of this city and has massive stock investments too. When we say wealthy, that's a big understatement."

"She just doesn't come off as someone with loads of money."

"I agree." Brian shrugged and finished his beer. "Come on. I'll walk you out."

I lifted my hand in the air and waved. "Night, Pauly. Thanks for the advice."

"Don't leave it here. Take it with ya and do something with it." He winked and went back to wiping down the bar.

"I will." I walked out into the freezing cold and turned, feeling better about everything. It was going to be a bitch to get Chloe to listen to me, but the resolve to not give up felt good. Like I had purpose.

"What are you going to do if she won't see you?" Brian asked, moving to his car and pausing.

"Keep trying, I guess." I shrugged and stopped by the back of my truck.

"Isn't she going home back to California soon?"

"That's what she said." I brushed my fingers by my chin and tried to work through how I could get her to talk to me that night. She most likely went home and no one was supposed to be there. I could just go out there and knock on the door. Seemed logical.

"So I guess you're on a short time span then, dude. You better get after it." He smiled and shook his head. "If anyone can do it, you can."

"Thanks, buddy. I'll call you later." I walked around my truck. I wasn't on a time table at all. If she didn't come around while she was here, I would simply go there. When she made it perfectly clear that she wasn't interested in anything ever happening between us, I'd be done.

I got in the car and hooked my phone up as a call from my Dad rang through.

"Hey pops. What's up?" I closed the door and buckled up.

"You. That's what's up." He was angry.

Great. More shit to deal with.

"What did I do now? It's been a fucked up night, so I'm sure I had this coming."

"You did what I told you not to do, which has been the story of your life. Do you think I give you advice because I enjoy listening to the sound of my own voice? No. I give it to you because otherwise you're going to suffer the consequences for your fucked up actions."

"Dad. Really. I'm not in the mood for this shit. Tell me what I did and I'll fix it. I don't need you berating me. I'm a piece of shit. I get it," I barked into the console of the truck and turned out of the lot, headed out to Chloe's place.

"I didn't say you were a piece of shit. I said you didn't listen."

"I'm hanging up." I let out an exasperated sigh. I would call him tomorrow. I was too broken for whatever he was up to.

"I told you to leave Chloe alone, and you didn't."

How the hell did my father know I'd hurt the pretty girl? Did she run home and tell her Dad? Had he called my Dad? We were adults for shit-sake. Why the hell was our fathers involved in any of this?

"What?" I had no other word to throw out.

"Her father caught me in town tonight and chewed my ass out for sending you over there to do the yard. He said you were after his girl, and I couldn't deny it. Do me a favor, Finn. Please. Just one small, tiny thing. Just this once, keep your dick in your pants and keep away from the Burke girl. Those people are rich, hateful, and headed straight to hell."

"Yep." I dropped the call and turned into her driveway, turning off my lights. I would have to figure out how to deal with my old man once I figured out if there were anything to really deal with. Chloe could turn me down cold and the problem would be solved. I prayed that wouldn't be the case, but the chances of a different outcome seemed slim.

Maybe her Dad wasn't out of town. I texted her, half expecting no response, but I made my message too compelling to ignore.

Me: I'm sitting in your driveway. Come out for two minutes and then I'll leave you alone after that.

Chloe: Finn?

Me: Yes. Get out here.

Chloe: How did you get my number?

Me: During our shopping trip. Two minutes.

Chloe: No. Go away. My Dad's here.

Me: I'm coming up to ring the doorbell. I want two minutes with you.