Page 15 of A Hard Fit (Falling Hard #2)

Gifting

It was a little cozy, but Rory’s desk and all their gear fit into half of Finn’s studio. Finn loved painting with the patter of Rory’s keyboard next to him. The bungalow was more cheerful with the addition of Rory’s plants, and the one Thomas had brought didn’t look so lonely anymore.

But Finn’s favorite place to be was snuggled up under the blanket watching Godstrike with Rory while the snow piled up outside.

He really had to get his Christmas shopping started, though.

“What do I get Rory for Christmas?” Finn asked, tumbling into his chair in Luka’s office. Thomas was there too, but he and Luka were basically a package deal now. Thomas knew all the ins and outs of his relationship with Rory.

Luka tapped his chin. “I mean, technically, nothing, unless you draw their name.”

Finn stared at him. God, Luka could be insufferable sometimes. Of course, he would try to apply the rules of the office gift exchange here. “You’re joking, right?”

“What? These are the rules! You’re only supposed to get a gift for someone at work if you have them for Secret Santa.” His smirk indicated he was being annoying on purpose.

Finn turned to Thomas. “What do you think I should get them, Wolf?”

Thomas froze, gaze flicking between Luka and Finn. “Uh, do they need a new wallet?”

“Thanks, guys,” Finn said, getting back to his feet with a thigh slap. “Big help.”

* * * *

Later that day, Tawney popped into Finn’s office carrying a Santa hat. “Ho, ho, ho! It's time to pick your Secret Santa! And no telling who you got.” Tawney shook the hat and held it out for him.

“No promises,” Finn said, reaching.

Tawney scowled and pulled the hat away. “Finn!”

“Kidding, kidding. I won’t tell anyone.” He stuck his hand in the hat. “Except Rory.”

“You—” Tawney pursed her lips.

Finn glanced at the name he’d pulled and grinned at her. “Hey, why does Santa always land on the roof?”

“Why?”

“Because he likes it on top.”

Tawney snorted. “Good for him.”

As soon as Tawney left, Finn texted Rory.

Do you want to do some shopping with me after work?

Yes!! I can get something for my Secret Santa.

Who did you get?

We’re not supposed to tell.

Finn sighed. What is with all the rule-followers around here! It doesn't count for partners.

Okay, fine. I got Ilona. You?

I can’t believe you caved.

What! Finn!!

Lol, I’m kidding. I got Thomas. See you soon xo

* * * *

When Finn popped into Rory’s office at the end of the day, they were typing madly.

“You know,” Finn said, leaning against the doorframe. “I’m starting to get turned on by this. Those fingers. They’re so…long.”

Rory grinned but didn’t look away from the screen. “I think that counts as workplace harassment.”

“No, it doesn’t!” Finn protested.

“Yes, it does. I need to get this done and you’re harassing me.”

“We have a date.” Finn came and stood next to Rory’s chair, pretending he was examining the incomprehensible code on the screen, but was really trying to get his groin in Rory’s eyeline.

It worked. Rory’s fingers froze.

“It’s fine.” Finn sighed. “You’re busy. You know what, I’ll start my shopping another day.”

Rory gave Finn a playful glare. “You fight dirty.”

“I like it dirty.” Finn leaned down to kiss Rory on the nose. “Let’s go!”

* * * *

They crunched along the sidewalk, wispy flakes twirling down from the night sky and Rory holding tight to Finn’s arm.

Rory giggled. “I still can’t believe you got that tank top for Thomas.”

Finn smiled down at them, admiring the flakes twinkling in Rory’s hair. “You cannot tell him it was me.”

“My lips are sealed. So, who else do you have to shop for?”

“Not many. You, Luka, something for your parents—”

Rory interrupted, waving a hand. “Oh, you don’t need to get anything for my parents.”

“I don’t?”

“Nah.”

“But…I can’t walk in empty-handed on Christmas!”

“You can, I swear!”

“What are you getting them?”

“Um, the four of us kids are going in to send them to Camarillo for a wine-tasting weekend in the summer.”

“Mmhmm. And everyone else in your family will show up with a gift, right?”

“Er…yes.”

Finn threw Rory a wry look.

Rory chuckled. “Okay, fine. I’ll help you pick something out for them.”

“Thank you. So.” Finn continued with his list. “Something for your parents, and I always send something to Cali and Bryson.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, why?”

“No reason. That’s kind of you.”

Finn shrugged. “Not their fault their mom sucks.”

“True.” Rory squeezed his arm. “And you don’t need to get me anything, for real. I’ve already got you.”

“That’s true, I am a gift…” Finn mused.

Rory laughed and swatted at Finn’s shoulder as they came to a stop in front of a men’s clothing store. “All right, let’s look in here, unless your head is too big to fit through the doorway.”

* * * *

Over the course of their outing, Finn picked out a sweater for Luka, a wine and cheese gift basket for Lainey and Jonathan and Lego sets for Cali and Bryson. He also carefully noted the items that Rory ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ over as they shopped.

The next day at lunch, Finn took the kids’ gifts to the post office and popped back into the men’s clothing store where Rory had admired a wallet. As much as he hated to admit it, Thomas had made a good suggestion. Wallets were practical, but he could splurge on a really nice one, and Rory would think about him every time they used it. However, Finn also ordered an extra something special online for Rory too, the kind of gift that would arrive in discreet packaging and spice up their holiday.

The day before the office party, Finn stopped in at Luka’s office to give him his present.

“You shouldn’t have!” Luka exclaimed when Finn handed him the elaborately wrapped box. He held it up, admiring it from all angles. “Your wrapping, Finn, I swear… Should I open it now?”

Finn loved to wrap presents. He went a little over the top, maybe, with foil paper, cloth ribbons and fancy bows. Half of his bedroom closet was crammed with gift-wrapping supplies. “Fuck yes.”

Luka carefully picked at the tape on one end.

“Don’t be precious about it, Moreno.” Finn reached forward and ripped a chunk of paper off.

“Finn! I was going to save that.” Luka opened the box, shaking his head. He pulled out a pale pink cable-knit sweater with a huge smile. “Oh… It’s gorgeous! I love it! Thank you so much!”

“Thought it would look good on you,” Finn said.

“I feel bad because I didn’t get you anyth—Kidding, yes, I did!” Luka reached under his desk and handed Finn a gift bag with gold tissue poking out.

“I thought the rule was gifts for Secret Santas only?” Finn teased.

Luka grinned. “Shut up and open it.”

They both cackled when Finn pulled out another cable-knit sweater, but this one in British racing green.

“Thanks, man. I love it.”

“Clearly, we both have excellent taste.” Luka set aside his sweater, face growing serious. “So, you’re finally meeting the rest of Rory’s family… Are you nervous?”

Finn groaned. The Christmas Eve gathering at the Barretts’ loomed. “No.”

“Ha!”

Finn glowered at him. “Fine. I’m nervous as fuck, all right?”

“It’s going to be great. You can wear your new sweater! And just be yourself.”

Finn huffed in amusement as his insides swirled. “Be myself, surrounded by Rory’s whole fucking family? Right. What could go wrong?”

“Okay, well…be yourself but maybe don’t swear as much.”

Finn sighed. “That’s what Rory said, too. Fuck.”

* * * *

They woke up late on Christmas Eve, Rory plastered to Finn’s back, arm over his waist. Finn wiggled around and planted a kiss on Rory’s forehead.

“Morning,” Rory mumbled.

“Morning.” Finn ran his fingers down Rory’s arm and sighed.

Rory nuzzled him. “What’s up?”

“Can we just stay here all day?” Finn asked.

Rory lifted their head to look at the clock. “We’re supposed to be at my parents’ in an hour.” But their hand drifted down from Finn’s hip and took him in a firm grip.

Finn growled as he pulled Rory closer. “Give me five minutes then.”

Rory smirked. “Make it ten.”

* * * *

“Are you nervous?” Rory asked, chewing a fingernail as they pulled to a stop at the top of the driveway.

Today’s brunch was at least limited to Rory’s immediate family. The extended family would descend tomorrow for Christmas Day. Finn was still fucking terrified. “A little. Are you?”

“No.” Rory smiled broadly as they climbed out of the truck. “They’re all going to love you.”

“Finn!” someone bellowed, flinging open the door before they were even up the step. Griffin, huge smile on his face, bounded down the step in his sock feet and threw his arms around Finn.

“Hey, Griffin,” Finn said, embarrassed at the attention, while Rory beamed at them both. “How’s it going?”

“Good, man. Good. You’re here just in time. Jackson’s trying to talk about work.”

“Griffin, you aren’t wearing shoes. Honestly…” Lainey stood in the door holding a beverage that appeared to be a mimosa. “Hello, darling. Hello, Finn. How nice to see you again.” She air-kissed their cheeks and ushered them into the house. “Davis will take your coats.”

An older man in a white shirt and black vest was by their side before Finn could blink.

“Davis, how are you?” Rory asked, handing him their coat.

“I’m well, thank you, Rory,” Davis replied smoothly. “How are you?”

“I’m great. Davis, this is my partner, Finn Owens.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you…?” Davis trailed off, eyebrow raised.

“‘Mister’ is fine,” Rory supplied. “Finn uses he/him.”

“—Mr. Owens,” Davis finished with a polite head-bob.

“Er…you too,” Finn stammered. Davis? ‘Mr. Owens?’

They followed Lainey and Griffin toward the living room, the latter leaving wet footprints on the marble while the former tutted.

Finn leaned over to murmur in Rory’s ear. “So that’s…”

“Yup.”

“…the butler.”

“The butler.”

Finn nodded. The butler. Of course there was a butler. But no time to dwell on that, he was about to…

“Ro-ro!” came the high-pitched squeal, as a tiny human flung herself into Rory’s arms the moment they entered the living room.

Rory didn’t miss a beat, scooping her up and tossing her in the air. “Min-min!”

Lainey chuckled, heading to the bar to top up her beverage. Griffin flopped onto the sectional.

Damn, Minnie was even cuter in person in her red reindeer sweater and shining brown curls. She wrapped her arms tight around Rory’s neck.

“Minnie,” Rory said solemnly, holding the little girl so she could see Finn. “I would like to introduce you to someone really special. This is my partner, Finn.”

Minnie leveled her serious brown eyes at him. “It’s nice to meet you,” she intoned, measuring out the words with care.

“The pleasure is all mine, Minnie,” Finn replied. “Ro-ro has told me so many good things about you.”

She scrunched up her face as Rory set her down. “Like what?”

“Like…how you always beat them at Snakes and Ladders.”

“That’s true, I do,” she said, brushing her curls back. “Ro-ro is pretty bad at Snakes and Ladders. They always land on the snakes and I always get the ladders.”

Rory gasped with mock outrage. “I beat you once!”

“I let you win that time, Ro-ro.” Minnie giggled.

Rory ruffled her hair. “You munchkin. I’m going to beat you today.”

A heavier-set man clutching a bottle of beer came in. His reindeer sweater matched Minnie’s. “Amy is just putting the baby down,” he said to Lainey. “Oh, hey Rory.”

“Jackson,” Rory said, taking Finn’s arm, “this is my partner, Finn.”

Jackson eyed Finn up, and Finn instantly didn’t like him—something about his cold eyes and defiant jaw. He hoped his instinct was wrong.

“Great to finally meet you, Finn,” Jackson said. His grip nearly crushed Finn’s hand.

“You too,” Finn said, doing his best to crush right back.

Their gazes met. You’ll have to squeeze harder than that, Finn thought.

“Grab me another beer, would you, Ro-ro?” Jackson asked. He let go of Finn’s hand and sat next to Griffin on the sectional.

Rory poured mimosas for the two of them, fetched a beer for Jackson then settled on the couch with Finn. Minnie went back to her coloring on the floor.

Jackson crossed his legs and examined Finn. “Now, you two work together, correct? What’s the place called again?”

“Breakpoint Advertising,” Finn supplied.

“Right. So you’re an advertiser?”

“Designer.”

“Ah. And remind me what is it you do there, Rory?”

Griffin scoffed. “What do you think they do, Jackson?”

Rory’s body was laced with tension as they replied to Jackson. “IT.”

Jackson chuckled. “Obviously IT. But what do you actually do ?”

“A lot of coding for the firm, and our clients. I analyze the—”

Jackson was distracted by his buzzing phone and rolled his eyes at the screen. “Goddamn it, Stanley,” he muttered.

“Language,” tisked Lainey.

Rory faltered, since Jackson was clearly not listening.

“I don’t know, Rory,” Jackson said, tucking his phone away as if Rory hadn’t stopped in the middle of a sentence. “When you’re done messing around, let me know. I’ll hire you back at the plant in a second. God knows you’re better than Stanley anyway.” He laughed, like the room wasn’t ice cold.

What the fuck is this guy’s problem? Finn bit his lip.

“I’m really happy at Breakpoint,” Rory replied, sliding their hand onto Finn’s knee.

“Yeah, sure.” Jackson leaned back, stretching an arm along the back of the couch. “What are they paying you though? Can’t be enough.”

Nope. “What the fuck is your problem?” Finn blurted. “Who asks that?”

Four—no, five—wide pairs of eyes stared at him.

Finn gulped. Whoops.