“What do you know about Ward Montgomery?”
Finn looked up at his cousin from the upside-down little bike on the work table in his garage. “Erin’s dad?” He shrugged, sliding the chain on the bicycle and aligning it until it was tight. “His fertilizer’s overpriced but he served the best crumb cake around. Why?”
Giovanni sipped the beer his cousin offered when he first stopped by. “What was he like at home, like, when you and Erin dated?”
Finn’s sharp blue eyes cut to him, suspicion swirling with the sapphire flecks. “Who wants to know?”
His cousin was rarely guarded. The fact that an unmistakable boundary just went up, proved he knew something. “I do.”
“Why? Why this sudden interest in the dead hardware store owner? You thinking of buying out the shop?”
“No.”
Finn reached for a set of training wheels sitting on the shelf and unwound the nut holding the bolts in place. “Erin’s grown into a pretty girl, but she’s single by choice. If you’re thinking she might be an easy conquest, I’d respectfully ask you to look elsewhere. It wouldn’t be right to take advantage of someone in her state.”
Giovanni narrowed his eyes. “You think I’m the kind of guy to take advantage of girls?”
“I’ve heard your act, G. I know how you are with women.”
“It’s an act, Finn. I’m telling jokes.”
His cousin met his stare with a harder one of his own. “I’m protective of her.”
“You’re married.”
“And I don’t keep secrets from my wife. Erin’s my friend. As her friend, I’m going to suggest you look elsewhere.”
“What if it’s too late?”
Another hard stare.
“Is that a problem?” Giovanni asked. “It’s been a long time since you two dated—”
“Are you using her?”
“Jesus, Finnegan. Give me a little credit.”
“What is it you want from me?” Finn snapped. “Permission? Erin’s a grown woman who can decide for herself. But she’s had a hard life. I can’t recall you two ever being particularly close, so I’m not sure what you’re doing in my garage asking all these questions about a girl I haven’t dated since we were kids.” He shoved the training wheels aside and turned to grab a ratchet off the shelf.
Giovanni grabbed his beer and killed it. “I had sex with her.”