Page 11

FINN

Finn needed a shower.

He’d spent most of his shift putting the storage room back together with Dylan and Brian, and the three of them were sweaty, dusty, and exhausted. He never wanted to pick up a folding chair ever again.

“Waters!” Kate, The Pointe’s quirky assistant pastry chef, stood in the doorway, handing out waters like a benevolent angel. “You all did a great job, it looks soooo much better in here.”

Finn gulped down half the bottle before he had the strength to speak. “There were boxes spilling out when I opened the door! You couldn’t even take one step inside.”

“For real.” Dylan toasted them. He’d been standing next to Finn when they”d discovered the mess.

“How did it happen?” Taking their empties, Kate handed them fresh, ice-cold bottles.

Brian put his against his forehead. “The chairs from last night’s party weren’t stacked correctly and overnight they slowly tilted into a pile of tables and then those tables took out three shelving units. Not a lot is broken but wow.”

“We spaced everything out so that next time something falls, it won’t take anything else with it,” Finn assured her.

“Ah, that’s smart!” Kate tapped the side of her head.

Finishing his second water, Finn brushed off his pants and handed Kate the crumpled plastic. “I have another uniform in Owen’s office. I’m going to head up there. Thanks, Kate!”

“No problem, Ted.”

“When do I get to be Keanu Reeves?” Dylan’s whine drifted up to Finn as he climbed the stairs. Three well-dressed women in sparkly gowns passed him, their floral perfume washing across his senses, and he froze, wondering if he should back up and use the staff stairwell, but a familiar voice echoed across the foyer like a siren song, drawing him forward.

“Get ready! On my mark, you all start jumping. Three, two, one, action!”

Stepping onto the marble floor at the top of the steps, Finn watched as a bridal party took turns bouncing in front of the camera, and swinging a cell phone back and forth in the middle of it all was a gorgeous man with a crown of blond curls.

“You all nailed it!” Ollie pumped his fist in the air once they were done. “The bride and groom are going to love this!” Ollie glowed in the center of the crowd, looking deliciously sleek in black slacks and a button-up shirt. His outfit indicated that he was working the party; if he was attending, then he would be dressed to kill, but why was he at The Pointe?

Finn got his answer as soon as Mason popped out of the main room. Camera in hand, he circled everyone like a shark, snapping away. Ollie slipped out of the group, hovering behind until Mason pointed at a stepstool that had been placed off to the side. Lightning fast, Ollie grabbed it, following Mason back inside; however, he stopped in the doorway and shook his head, looking unsteady on his feet.

Climbing the last few steps, Finn tried to go to him but Ollie recovered so fast that he was winding his way through the room by the time Finn reached the threshold. Watching him walk away, Finn felt a surge of possession again, wanting to follow, be next to him, bring him somewhere and touch him until they were both satisfied, and need flooded his veins with such strength that he backed up, leaning against the wall, surprised.

He hadn’t been lying when he told Ollie that he’d never felt this way about anyone before. He felt instantly connected to Ollie, and his thoughts never strayed very far from his sunshine.

Hissunshine.

And Finn only wanted more.

But he was still grimy from storage room Tetris, so he slid away before Ollie noticed him, finishing his journey upstairs where he washed up in the staff bathroom and went to Owen’s office. The DJ was so loud that Daddy’s Little Girl rattled the walls as he changed into a fresh uniform tux, letting him know that midnight was closing in.

Finn had a little something in mind, but he needed to time it just right.

Despite the freezing temperatures, the patio was packed, the air alive with excitement. People hugged, children ran around the crowd with sparklers in hand, and every few seconds someone cheered.

“One minute to go!” Owen announced, a bottle of champagne in his hand. Liam was next to him, pressed close, a dreamy smile on his face, and Michael stood in front, wearing a flashing headband that said Happy New Year. More hoots and hollers rang out from the crowd, joined by Marci and Dylan waving noisemakers, and servers handed out glasses of bubbly, making sure that everyone had a drink in their hand.

Hovering in the shadow of a small pine, Finn tracked Ollie, who stood on the lawn next to Mason as he fiddled with the head of a tripod, tilting it back to capture the sky. A monopod sat precariously beside it, facing the bride and groom, who were a few steps away from the patio, posed front and center on the grass with everyone behind them. Ollie had his phone out and a camera around his neck. Even though he wore a puffy black coat it was clear that he was shivering and he bounced from leg to leg, trying to keep warm.

The noise from the crowd grew, solidifying into a countdown.

“Ten…nine…eight…”

Finn sprang into action, circling the courtyard’s stone wall and moving across the frozen lawn.

“Seven…six…five…”

Unzipping his coat, Finn shrugged it off, stopping behind the photographers.

“Four…three…two…one…Happy New Year!” Large booms shook the air, staining the night sky with color. Mason and Ollie were rapt with attention, Ollie switching between his camera and phone, and Finn gave them several moments to work, hoping that by this time next year he’d be kissing Ollie just the way Owen was kissing Liam right now.

Once Ollie finished his video, Finn took a few steps forward, his heart in his throat. He’d been confident watching from afar but being close to Ollie made him second-guess himself in new ways. He wasn’t used to someone holding his heart in their hands, but he was still willing to try for a yes, to show Ollie that they could be good together and he pushed the nerves aside, dropping his jacket onto Ollie’s shoulders.

“What?” Spinning around, Ollie’s jaw hit the floor. “Finn? What are you…I thought you were working tonight?”

“I am.” Yellow and blue willows burst above them, turning Ollie’s hair into a delightful shade of green. Carefully, Finn pulled a small sunflower from the inner pocket of his uniform. He’d seen them in the centerpieces and had waited until everyone had gathered outside before slipping back and swiping one. It wouldn’t be missed; the main room could double as a greenhouse. “Happy New Year, Sunshine. These always make me think of you.”

With wide eyes, Ollie slowly took the flower as if he were mesmerized. Finn held his breath, unsure. Was he welcome? Or not?

And then Ollie flicked his gaze to Finn’s and relief washed through him, for excitement and hope flickered in those pale blue eyes.

“Happy New Year, Just Finn,” Ollie said shyly, and Finn’s heart squeezed, making him want to be alone with Ollie immediately.

“Hey Mason! Can I borrow your assistant for a few minutes?” Finn half-asked, half-yelled across the lawn. Another firework flared overhead, this one gold, and a surging cheer echoed across the property.

Glancing at the two of them, Mason’s persistent frown deepened, and just as Finn thought he’d say no, he shooed them with his fingers. Not needing to be told twice, Finn grabbed Ollie’s hand, dragging him to the far side of the building, where they had privacy but could still watch the fireworks. Ollie silently hurried along, not saying a word until they settled on a stone bench under a leafless weeping willow.

“Aren’t you cold?” He shifted, wanting to return the coat but Finn shook his head, pulling it back around Ollie’s shoulders.

“I’m fine. I’ve got my tux jacket and I run warm, especially when I’m around you.”

A large purple bloom burst right above them and Ollie turned his head to look at it. His lips were parted in awe, his skin awash in violet and moonlight, and it drew Finn closer until they almost touched. Sensing the proximity, Ollie turned back and studied Finn, his expression pensive. “Why are you here, Finn?”

“Because fate keeps bringing us together, over and over, until we get it right.” Finn believed it. This was no coincidence; how many times had they bumped into each other in the last few months? Destiny didn’t take no for an answer and Finn had sided with her.

Ollie bit his lip but it popped out of its hold as he smiled. “You know what I mean. I thought you were driving people around tonight.” Red and green blossomed above them, ending in a crackle, followed by oohs and applause from the other side of the grounds.

“This place keeps me too busy for rideshare.” Finn’s hand rested on the bench next to Ollie’s. Reaching out with his pinky, he hooked it around Ollie’s smaller finger, suppressing a cocky grin when Ollie didn’t pull away. “You would’ve seen me earlier but I was stuck cleaning the storage room.”

“The job Owen got you was here?” Ollie shook his head, tapping it with the flower. “How did I not realize that? It’s like my brain doesn’t work anymore.”

“Stop it.” Twisting his hand, he grasped Ollie’s palm, giving it a slight squeeze. “You’ve had some other things on your mind. I hope.”

“I have.” Even though it was night, Finn could tell that Ollie was blushing by the way he shifted on the bench. Finn was about to ask if it was more yes than no but the sky suddenly shattered into multicolor, cracks and booms happening one after the other, rattling the earth.

But neither of them looked up because their eyes were on each other. Ollie’s face glowed in different hues and saturations, stealing Finn’s breath. Ollie seemed just as enraptured, his gaze glittering, his face open and yearning. With his free hand, Finn reached up, brushing the backs of his knuckles against Ollie’s cheek, and his heart gave a painful lurch. Was this what it was like to free fall? Because as Ollie’s eyelids fluttered, Finn’s stomach swooped and his limbs burned.

Cupping that enchanting face, Finn leaned in until they were a whisper apart. “And do you have an answer for me?” He knew he wasn’t playing fair but if Ollie’s answer was no, then they wouldn’t be alone together on this bench, staring into each other’s eyes.

“I…” Ollie bit his lip again, his face glooming. He didn’t seem confused, only conflicted, as if he were fighting a battle against himself. But as a blast turned the sky bright as day, illuminating them, Ollie inched even closer, studying Finn. “You really like me. Not just the outer stuff but the inside too.” His tone was curious and awed.

“I do,” escaped Finn’s mouth automatically. He understood the caution. Ollie had been burned before and burns scarred deeply; of course, he wouldn’t want to go through that again. But Finn was telling the truth when he said he wasn’t like those other two fools, because - to him - Ollie wasn’t an escape or a tester. He was someone Finn wanted to know. Someone Finn wanted to spend time with, play tennis with, watch vampire movies with, live life with. He wanted to take Ollie camping, or glamping, or for mani-pedis, or wherever Ollie wanted to go. He wanted to see what Ollie was like on vacation, at the beach, snowed-in, on every holiday, and then see it again and again until they were shaking their canes at each other in their retirement home. Because a captivating, sassy, talented ray of sunshine had lit up Finn’s soul, blowing away his loneliness and showing him how much more there could be. How much more he could be. And how much more they could be, together.

He tried to put all that at the forefront of his mind, so Ollie could see it in his eyes, and it worked, for Ollie shifted and affection fluttered through his sharp features.

“Then my answer is…” Ollie glanced down at the sunflower and then back up at Finn. “Yes.”

Finn wanted to stand on the bench and cheer but he held back, only allowing himself a goofy smile. “Really? You’re going to give us a chance?”

Ollie nodded once, tightly. “But…can we go at my speed?” Clearly, he’d won the battle but not the war.

“We can go at any speed you’d like.” Finn swept fingers through Ollie’s curls, feeling like he’d won the lottery. “May I kiss you?”

Ollie’s gaze snapped back to Finn, his nod eager, accompanied by a soft smile. “Please.”

Tilting his head, Finn leaned in, easily closing the meager space between them. He only brushed his lips against Ollie’s at first, wanting to tease, to savor, but he couldn’t hold out for long and pressed more firmly, sliding his fingers down to the base of Ollie’s neck and caressing the skin there. Moaning, Ollie fisted a hand in Finn’s shirt, his whole body shaking as he responded in kind, and once he parted his lips Finn licked into that delectable mouth, loving how sweet Ollie tasted.

As if on cue, more color burst above them, and while Finn knew the display was for the new bride and groom, he couldn’t help but feel like it was just for them alone.

How’s your day been, Sunshine?Finn texted as he headed up The Pointe’s main staircase. As usual, it didn’t take long for Ollie to respond. Finn wondered if he was like this with everyone or if Finn was special. He liked to think it was the latter.

The usual. Sending out my resume. Looking for work.

Mason doesn’t want to hire you again? Was it because I dragged you away?

No. Ollie sent him a skull emoji. He doesn’t do weddings unless he needs to so it’s not often. I guess I have to get a real job. A GIF followed of a bunny crying tears until the screen filled with water.

I’m sure you’ll find something soon. You’re great at social media.Finn sent crossed fingers followed by a muscular arm.

Another GIF followed; this time the bunny was blowing kisses, but any response had to be shelved because Finn had reached Owen’s office. Of course, the door was ajar and he pushed it open even more, stepping inside.

“Hey, Opie. You wanted to talk?” He’d missed Owen’s call on the intercom and headset because his head had been firmly in the clouds since Ollie’s yes. They hadn’t done anything more than kiss on the bench and text, so Finn was itching to see Ollie again, as soon as possible, but Ollie was setting the pace. He’d requested a vampire movie marathon in a few days, which meant that Finn needed to rein himself in.

“Yes! Have a seat, buddy.” Owen gestured to the couch and Finn raised an eyebrow at him.

“What’s happening? Are you firing me?” He grinned, taking a seat and turning to face Owen, who sat beside him.

“I’m not firing you,” Owen wasn’t the type to roll his eyes but his tone implied that Finn was being silly. “You’re doing an amazing job, why would I fire you? I just wanted to run something by you.”

“Okay…” Grin gone, Finn rubbed his chin, curious.

“How is it going with you and Ollie?” Owen put his hands up to ward off any immediate comments. “I’m only asking because you said there was nothing official but Liam saw you two run off together during the fireworks. Are you sure there isn’t something you want to tell me?”

“You brought me up here to ask me about my love life?” Finn raised an eyebrow.

“It pertains to The Pointe. I’m pretty sure you two are an item now since you’ve been, what was it?” Owen’s lips twitched. “Moonfaced?”

Finn crossed his arms. “I have not been moonfaced.”

“You have. Even Marci noticed. But she uses a different word - smitten.”

“Oh god.” Uncrossing his arms, Finn gestured helplessly. “I need a poker face, she’s going to hassle me so much.”

Owen laughed this time, clapping Finn on the shoulder. “Probably not any more than she usually does. So? What’s the verdict?”

Finn looked up at the ceiling, trying hard not to be smitten but it was a losing battle. “It’s official. He gave me a yes on New Year’s Eve.”

“Good for you!” Owen seemed genuinely pleased but Finn bit his lip, not wanting to accept the accolades just yet.

“He’s still a little skittish but I’m letting him take this as slowly as he wants.”

“Wow. You are growing up.” Owen raised his eyebrows.

“Hey!” Finn was ready to argue but stopped short. “Actually, I guess I am. But what does Ollie have to do with The Pointe?”

“Well,” Owen refocused on Finn, lacing his hands together and placing them in his lap, and Finn could see him putting on the mantle of venue manager. “I’m thinking of offering him a job here. As our social media manager.”

“Really?” Finn bubbled over with excitement.

“We got six bookings for next year from the little work he did on New Year’s Eve and I am not cut out for that kind of stuff.” Owen shook his head with a grimace.

“You don’t even have social media.” Finn pointed out.

“Neither do you.”

“I have a Facebook. That I use sometimes. And a very old LiveJournal from my teenage years.”

“My point stands.”

“Well, if you ask me,” Finn put his hand on his chest. “And it seems like you are, I think it’s a great idea. Ollie’s been looking for a job, I’ll tell him to send over his resume.”

“Wonderful. Will it be a problem for you two to work together?”

“I don’t think so. I’m running around most of the time and I’ll be on the road a lot once the shuttle bus is ready, so I doubt we’ll see much of each other. I guess it’s okay that your staff is dating?”

Owen chuckled. “I’d be the biggest hypocrite ever if I said no. Okay, it’s settled. Once I get Ollie’s resume, I’ll call him and, if everything’s good? He can start in a couple of days.”

“He doesn’t need to meet John, does he?” Finn’s protective streak let out a small roar. John, The Pointe’s owner, could be an intimidating jerk and Finn didn’t want Ollie subjected to him.

“No. John’s down in Texas for the winter. He isn’t due back until April, maybe May, and I don’t think he knows what social media is.”

Finn laughed. “Probably not.” He stood, straightening his jacket and loose bow tie. “I’d say let me know how it goes but I’m sure I’ll hear about it from Ollie.”

“I’m sure you will.” Owen stood as well, giving Finn a teasing grin. “When you two are more established, let me know. We’ll double date!”

Finn groaned. “I think you should’ve just fired me.”