“Nothing I couldn’t rearrange. Blake has been showing me some of the historical landmarks around the area and educating me on Texas history. Let’s go get cleaned up and grab a bite to eat. Sound good?”
“Yeah.”
An hour later,they sat in the back of a Mexican food restaurant, eating fajita nachos and drinking margaritas. Alex had given him the details of what happened with her bosses. She shared additional stories from her career, highlighting the blatant sexism and misogyny rampant in corporate America. Fin was rather shocked at the things men had said to her over the years. When he’d read of sexual harassment cases, he’d always assumed the guy was a total creep. Alex was talking about ordinary men walking through an ordinary day on the job. He had no idea the problem was as prevalent as this.
When he told her this, she snorted. “It’s everywhere, Fin. Of course, it’s worse in male-dominated industries or for women in professions normally held by men, but it’s everywhere. Society has conditioned us to think it’s normal behavior.”
“Well, I for one will pay more attention and make sure it’s not happening where I work,” Fin stated. He made a mental note to follow up with Addie, his sister, and other women in his life on this topic.
Alex tilted her head as she considered him. “You are, aren’t you?”
Confused, he asked, “I am what?”
“You’re that guy… the one who takes action when discovering some injustice.”
Fin warmed at the admiration she conveyed and shoved a nacho in his mouth to cover his awkwardness.
“Do you realize we’ve only known each other a week?” she asked. “How did you become such a huge focus in my life in one freaking week?”
Fin took in Alex’s furrowed brow and decided to lighten the mood. “I don’t know, but I suggest we continue because I’m enjoying your company immensely. In fact, in celebration of our anniversary,” Fin continued despite Alex’s raised eyebrow, “I suggest we do something special this weekend. Your boss did tell you to get away and not think about anything.”
“And what do you suggest?” Alex leaned back and sipped her margarita, eyeing Fin with wariness.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
They burst out laughing, and Alex raised her drink. Fin clinked her glass with his and they sipped their margaritas while smiling at each other.
A camera flashed in the background, and Fin groaned. “Och, not again.” He searched the room and found that the camera wielder wasn’t a reporter, but a fan. He glanced at Alex for her response, and she shrugged at him. Fin smiled at the teenager who timidly stepped closer. He waved her over, and she rushed forward with a wide grin.
“Mr. McAlister, I’m such a fan. Can you sign this for me?” She held out a pen and ticket stub from his latest film.
“Aye, what’s your name, lass?” Fin asked as he took the pen from her.
“Bethany,” she answered.
Fin penned a note on the ticket and handed everything back to the girl.
She read it aloud, “‘Bethany, lovely to meet you. Finley McAlister.’ Oh, my gosh! My friends are going toscream. Thank you so much!” She squealed and ran back to her table.
“That was gracious of you,” Alex commented.
“Aye, but we should leave soon, or everyone else will come by. They often leave you alone until one brave soul breaks the bubble, then they all come. I don’t mind sharing myself with the fans, but there’s only so much to go around.” He winced, then signaled the waitress for the check.
Alex sucked down the rest of her margarita, and they made their way to the car before any other fans stopped them.
On the way home,Alex glanced sideways at Fin. “You serious about getting away for the weekend?” she asked.
“I’m free and available. What do you have in mind?”
“Let’s go to Galveston. You mentioned an interest in local history, and Galveston is one of the oldest cities in the vicinity, with a rich history, including pirates. It’s only an hour-and-a-half drive. We can rent a beach house, go to Moody Gardens, or hang out downtown. It’s nothing fancy, just a fun little side trip that gets us out of our heads. What do you think?”
Fin smiled and declared, “Road trip!”
“Awesome.” Alex pushed the Bluetooth button on her steering wheel. At the beep, she said, “Call Gary Jones.”
They arrived home as Alex finished the call with her friend Gary. He owned a couple of properties down in Galveston that he rented out when his family wasn’t using them, and he had a cute little two-bedroom cottage on the west end of the island available this weekend. The call ended with him promising to email Alex the instructions for getting to and in the house.
Alex parked the car and turned to Fin. “If we get on the road now, we can get there in time for dinner out, or we can pick up groceries along the way and make our own at the beach house. Which do you prefer?” she asked. “And before you answer, understand that I am a terrible cook so don’t expect anything fancy.”
