Page 17 of A Hard Fit (Falling Hard #2)

Big Drama in Little Italy

Finn peeked around the doorframe into their bedroom. Rory was examining their outfit in the full-length mirror—the sexy black pants that were half silver-buckled kilt were making another appearance.

“You look hot,” Finn announced, gaze traveling over the curves of Rory’s lower half.

Rory’s eyes flicked over to meet Finn’s in the mirror. “Thanks, love. So do you.”

Finn came up behind Rory and wrapped his arms around them, burying his nose under their ear. “You smell good, too.” He slid his hands under Rory’s shirt.

Laughing, Rory swatted them away. “Hey, none of that. We have a dinner reservation to make.”

“I know,” Finn grumbled. Not that he wasn’t grateful that Rory had planned a special New Year’s Eve surprise for him…

Rory chuckled, turning around to give Finn a kiss. “You’re going to love it. I promise.”

Finn had no idea where they were going, even once their cab took an exit ramp off the highway into downtown.

“Close your eyes!” Rory sang when they rolled up to a traffic light.

“Hmph,” Finn muttered, but he did it. A few more turns, and the car stopped.

“Take my hand,” Rory said. “I’ll help you climb out.”

“Seriously?”

“No peeking!” Rory’s warm grip was comforting.

When Finn was standing on the sidewalk, eyes scrunched shut and curiosity fully piqued, Rory announced, “Open!”

Finn blinked up at the brick facade, not sure exactly where he was until he saw the sign for the imposing wine bar with black and scarlet walls.

Where we first met.

“Oh,” Finn said, at a loss for words, eyes watering in the winter air.

Rory’s smile made his heart want to explode. “I thought we could start the new year together at the place…where we started.”

Finn blinked away a tear and slung his arm around Rory’s shoulders. “Did we start here?”

“Yes,” Rory said without missing a beat. “The moment I saw you.”

“All right,” Finn said, voice gruff. “Let’s do it.”

The hostess led them to a high-top table and scanned their tickets, which included a buffet dinner, live music, and bottomless sparkling wine.

“I love it,” Finn said, once the server dropped off their first glasses of bubbly. “Thank you for planning our New Year’s.”

“You’re welcome,” Rory said, tapping their glasses together. “Cheers.”

* * * *

“So…” Rory said after dinner, scooping up the last bite of brownie from their plate. “Any New Year’s resolutions for you this year?”

Finn shrugged. “I don’t usually make them. Damn, this is good.” He licked his lips and went for another bite of chocolate mousse. “You?”

Rory paused to suck the last of the icing from their fork. “I’d like to spend more time outside.”

“Oh yeah? Doing what?” Finn grinned. “You want to join me on my runs?”

“God, no.” Rory laughed. “But that bike ride was fun. I feel like I need more…trees. Nature.” Their fork flashed out to stab a raspberry on Finn’s plate.

Finn gasped in fake indignation. “Are you stealing my dessert?”

Rory went for another berry. “No. I would never.”

Their forks battled as they raced to finish Finn’s plate. Finn swallowed his final bite and reached to brush a streak of chocolate off Rory’s smiling lip. “Would you like to dance?”

Rory took Finn’s hand. “Yes.”

They danced for a few numbers on the crowded floor, the band rocking solid Top Forty covers, until a slow song came on. Rory slipped into Finn’s arms.

Finn closed his eyes and breathed Rory in, his stomach swirling with the same butterflies he always got when Rory was close.

“So, my mom’s birthday is coming up…” Rory said.

Finn opened his eyes. “That’s what you want to talk about right now?”

Rory chuckled sheepishly. “Sorry, it just popped into my head that I forgot to call her back earlier. Are you free on the tenth? My parents always host a dinner at their favorite restaurant.”

Finn’s stomach swirled again but not in a good way. “Man…”

“I know, I know, we just had Christmas… Sorry.”

“Will…” Will Jackson be there? “Is it the whole family again?”

“No, only my mom’s side this time.”

‘Only.’ Finn wanted to want to go so badly. He wished the ‘yes’ could roll right off his tongue. He wanted to be there for Rory. He wanted to feel comfortable surrounded by a hundred relatives—like he belonged in a family like that.

‘It’s cute that you tried.’

Finn took a breath. “Would it be the worst thing if I didn’t go?”

Rory’s face fell. “Birthdays are a really big deal in my family. If you weren’t there…”

Fuck. “I’m just not used to celebrating every holiday and milestone with so many people.”

“I know, but…” Rory’s eyes turned up to max power. “Maybe you can get used to it?”

Fuuuuck.

Rory must have been able to sense Finn’s resolve weakening. “So you’ll go?” they said hopefully.

Be a grownup, Finn. Be there for Rory. “I’ll go.”

“You’re the best,” Rory murmured, snuggling under Finn’s chin.

“No, you are,” Finn replied.

He held Rory close and they danced.

* * * *

When they got back to their table, the server dropped off another round of drinks.

Finn studied Rory in the dim bar lighting as they lifted the flute to their lips. They were perhaps the most beautiful human alive—gentle, elfin features, eyes bottomless pools, plump lips, piercings shining around the curve of their delicate ears. Finn’s heart fizzed like it was overflowing with champagne bubbles. “You want to get out of here?” he asked.

Rory checked the time and laughed. “It’s only eleven! We’ll miss the countdown. We’re supposed to go up to the roof to see the fireworks at midnight.”

Finn lifted Rory’s hand to his lips and kissed their knuckles. “Yeah, but here’s the thing—we can make our own fireworks at midnight.”

The color rose in Rory’s cheeks. “Then get me the fuck out of here, Finn Owens.”

It was easy to get a cab, because what kind of idiot left downtown at eleven on New Year’s Eve? They held hands and played footsie in the backseat like teenagers. Then when they got home, they reenacted their first night together, slamming the door behind them and tearing off their clothes on the way to the bedroom. It turned out the buckles on Rory’s kilt were only decorative.

And the fireworks that exploded behind Finn’s eyes were a thousand times better than the pathetic bursts of color popping over the city.

* * * *

They slept late on New Year’s Day, then Finn brought coffee back to bed for Rory. He was just wiggling back under the covers to join the warm Rory bubble when his phone buzzed. His stomach curdled at his sister’s name on the screen. But there was no message, only a picture. It was Cali and Bryson, smiling and displaying their Lego creations. Cali held a sign that said ‘Thank you, Uncle Finn.’

His heart hurt.

You’re welcome, he typed. Hope you had a good Christmas.

“Aw, look at them!” Rory said, examining the picture. “So cute! How old are they?”

“Bryson is seven, I think, and Cali must be ten.” A thought popped into Finn’s head. He turned it over for a moment, then shared it with Rory. “You know what my resolution should be? Maybe I should try to see them.”

Rory’s eyes shone. “I think that’s a great idea, Finn. They would be so happy to see you again, I’m sure.”

Finn nodded, pulling Rory against his chest. “Okay. I’ll…I’ll think about it.” They sipped their coffee in silence for a moment. “You want to go for a walk?” Finn asked once he had drained his mug. “Work on that resolution of yours?”

Rory shook their head. “Not at the moment. It’s awfully snowy out there.”

Finn wanted to laugh, then Rory’s mouth was on his, and there was no more talking…at least not about the weather.

* * * *

Back at work after the holiday and headed for a much-needed coffee refill, Finn popped his head into Rory’s office. “Did you see the email from Markos?” he asked. “Sorry, the seven emails?”

“Sure did.” Rory paused their typing and turned to face Finn. “Did he seem a little…”

“Unhinged?”

Rory laughed. “I was going to say intense, but yeah.”

“I mean, remodeling my house was stressful and he’s remodeling an entire amusement park. I get it. A lot of moving parts.”

Rory clicked open their calendar. “Are you free for a call with him this afternoon? Probably easier than trying to respond to all the emails.”

Finn nodded. “Sure. I’ll see if he’s available.” He emailed back to arrange a call at two o’clock and joined Rory in their office again when it was time.

“Markos.” An annoyed voice answered the phone.

“Markos, hi. This is Finn Owens from Breakpoint. Thanks so much for fitting us in today. How was your holid—”

“Yeah, it was great, how was yours, good, great. Let me tell you about this fucking boat ride—”

Finn and Rory exchanged a look.

“—You don’t mind if I swear, do you? Good. This fucking boat ride—the goddamned pipes burst in that cold snap last week, so now I’m up to my ass in glacier water and I’ve got a guy coming in tomorrow to rip the whole thing out—”

“You’re ripping out the boat ride?” Rory repeated, aghast. “Markos…are you sure you can’t fix it?

“I’m on the phone,” Markos snapped, a little muffled. “What? No! No, it’s not slate, it’s stone ! I ordered fucking stone! Did he—? Goddamn it. Give me a minute.” His voice got louder again. “I’m done with it. We’ll put in a nice little… I don’t know what. Why don’t you two figure that out? Listen, I’ve got another fucking crisis on my hands. Call me when you’ve got some suggestions.” Then he was gone.

Finn and Rory stared at each other.

“Um…” Rory ventured.

“Yeah…” Finn agreed, rubbing his beard.

“I can’t believe he wants to get rid of that boat ride.” Rory sighed. “It was so romantic, the shadows rippling over your face, the smell of the honeysuckle, the water rippling… I wanted to kiss you so badly.”

“You’re the cutest ever.” Finn couldn’t resist leaning over to give Rory a peck on the cheek.

“Oh, stop,” Rory said, with an adorable head tilt and nose scrunch. “But I’m not wrong, am I? I wish he would keep it.”

“Let’s draft an email with the stuff you just said and send it off today. Maybe we can change his mind.”

Finn wasn’t expecting Markos to reply until the next day at the earliest, but his inbox dinged moments after he hit send, before he even left Rory’s office.

I told you to come up with something new. No boat ride.

That was it. No greeting, no sign off, nothing.

“Well, fuck,” Finn said, showing the message to Rory.

Rory stuck out their lower lip. “That sucks.”

“Yeah. Guess we need to come up with something else!”

“Any ideas?”

“Not yet.”

Rory leaned back in their chair. “What about all his emails, too? I thought he wanted to go over all that website design stuff with us and give us some notes on the commercials.”

Finn sighed. He had a feeling there were more problems ahead with Markos besides a leaky boat ride.

* * * *

Finn changed his outfit three times, stomach in knots. First, he put on his favorite dress shirt—a soft, long-sleeved navy—then he changed into his most expensive shirt—a designer label he’d gotten at an outlet—then thought fuck that and changed back into his favorite.

“I love that color on you,” Rory said when they saw Finn getting ready.

“Thanks,” Finn said, smoothing curl cream through his hair.

Rory leaned against the bathroom door frame. “Do you want to drive or get a cab? This place has some really amazing wine…”

“I’ll drive,” Finn said. He wanted to keep his wits about him if Jackson was going to be there.

The Barretts had bought out an entire restaurant in Little Italy for Lainey’s birthday. Of course , Finn thought when he saw the Closed for a private function sign in the window.

A host greeted them and took their coats, and a server offered a glass of champagne from a tray.

Suddenly Finn really wanted a beer. One or two drinks early in the night wouldn’t hurt.

“Do you have anything else?” Finn asked her.

“Of course, sir,” the woman replied. “The menu is posted by the bar.”

Finn collected a pint, then he and Rory joined the crowd milling around for drinks and appetizers. It was a relief to find the friendly smiles of Steffie and Mikala in the sea of faces.

“No kids tonight?” Finn asked them.

“Nope! Night out for the moms!” Steffie said gleefully, tapping her glass with Mikala’s.

Mikala began a story about the trouble they had finding a babysitter, but Finn didn’t hear it, because Jackson walked by. Finn started sweating.

An aunt joined their circle, and once Steffie and Mikala were engaged with her, Rory leaned over to murmur in Finn’s ear.

“Is everything okay?” they asked. “You flinched like you took a punch when Jackson appeared.”

“Fine,” Finn said, avoiding Rory’s eyes and taking a long pull of his beer.

“Finn.” Rory took Finn’s elbow and steered him into a more private corner, then trained their earnest gaze on him. “It’s me. What’s going on? Is this still about Jackon’s money comment?”

Finn laughed, a dry humorless chuckle. “You could say that.”

“I thought we sorted this out. He’s just obsessed with work.”

“It’s not that, Rory, it’s—” Finn paused and bit his lip.

“Would you just tell me?”

Finn sighed. “I’d rather not. It’ll cause problems.”

Rory folded their arms. “Well, now you have to tell me. I’m starting to get worried.”

“Ugh.” Finn rubbed his forehead. “Okay. Remember on Christmas when I went to the washroom and you told me to go down to the one by the laundry room? I ran into Jackson…”

“And?”

“And…he told me I wasn’t good enough for you.”

“He what?” Rory’s eyes flashed. “He fucking what ? Tell me exactly what he said.”

Finn recounted the conversation, forcing out the phrase that still haunted him, ‘It’s cute that you tried.’

“Oh. Oh fuck no.” Rory slammed their drink down on a table, spun on their heel and marched straight over to Jackson, who was engaged in conversation with Jonathan and one of Rory’s uncles.

“Rory!” Finn whispered, chasing after them. Fuck.

They stopped in the center of the circle. “May I speak with you, Jackson?” Rory’s voice crackled with barely contained rage.

“Uh…” Jackson cranked an eyebrow up. “I’m in the middle of—”

“Did you actually, for real , tell Finn that he’s not good enough for me?”

Jonathan and Uncle Alfie—or was it George?—shrank into their collars, eyes wide.

Jackson’s gaze flicked to Finn’s for a moment, who had come to stand behind Rory’s shoulder. Then he frowned and looked back at Rory. “Absolutely not. I never said—”

“Oh, spare me the bullshit ,” Rory spat. “Whatever fucking words you used, did you make Finn feel lesser because of how much money we have?”

“I…” Jackson sputtered. “No, I—look, however Finn felt—”

“Fucking hell , Jackson. You are the most disgusting, spoiled—”

“Rory!” Lainey appeared at Rory’s side, literally clutching her pearls. “What on earth…?”

Rory shook their head. “I’m sorry, Mom. I really am. I know it’s your birthday. But I can’t even look at Jackson right now. I will not sit at the same table as him.”

Finn’s heart soared.

Jackson rolled his eyes. “Give me a break, Rory. You don’t have to be so—”

“So what, Jackson?” Rory whirled on him, eyes blazing. Finn had never seen Rory so pissed, not even close. It was kind of hot. “So what ? Please tell me.”

The whole room had fallen silent. Even the waitstaff had stilled, gripping their trays. Now was not the time to be offering stuffed mushrooms.

“So”—Jackon’s jaw flapped—“uptight about it. I only said what Finn already knows.” He drew his shoulders up. “Now quit making a scene and go sit at the table like an adult.”

Rory rocked back on their heels. “Right.” They turned to Lainey. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I need to leave. I hope you have a wonderful night but I can’t be here. Let’s go.” Rory took Finn’s hand, then they collected their coats from the rack and fled.

The sound of Griffin laughing followed them out into the snow.

Finn could barely keep up with Rory as they marched back to their car.

“Rory…” Finn breathed. “Hang on a second…”

Rory screeched to a halt and turned to face Finn. Their eyes were wet and blacker than the night.

“I…” Finn took hold of Rory’s hands. “I love you so fucking much, Rory.”

Rory’s eyelashes fluttered as they blinked back tears. “I love you too.”

They turned to continue walking, holding hands. “I’m sorry about dinner,” Finn said after a few steps, muffled in the fresh snow.

“Fuck dinner. Fuck Jackson.” Rory glanced up at Finn. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I know…” Finn ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to cause any drama.”

Rory snorted. “Fair. That was pretty dramatic.”

“Is your mom going to be mad?” Finn asked after a few more steps.

Rory groaned. “Probably.” They stopped again, looking up at a restaurant front. “This place has the best poutine. You hungry?”

Finn smiled and gave Rory a soft kiss. “Starving.”