Page 12 of Ravenous

“Mason was my passenger tonight. He was over by the state forest taking pictures and I saw you running as I was driving him home. I um, I almost hit a van.”

Ollie didn’t expect the laugh that burst out of him.

“And once I dropped Mason off I asked him if I could come in and wait for you.” Finn turned bashful, his cheeks tinting pink and Ollie couldn’t help but stare, for Finn had become impossibly more delicious over the last three months. His hair was a little longer, about to fall into his deep mahogany gaze, and he occasionally swept it to the side with long manicured fingers. His eyes were deep set, crowned with plentiful brows, and his nose was perfectly balanced, like it was made for his face. Well-trimmed scruff highlighted his square jaw, cradling his cheekbones before fading into sideburns at his temples. Finn didn’t look like a king; he was every inch the rugged knight who went out into the forest to slay the dragon and rescue the prince. Even sitting in Ollie’s desk chair, which had been rolled next to the bed, he was relaxed, sure, as if Ollie could lean on him and Finn would make everything okay. “I never stopped thinking about that night.”

“Same,” Ollie breathed, still a little shocked. He’d been sure his chances of seeing Finn again were zero. Reaching down under the covers, he pinched his thigh. It hurt. Good, so this wasn’t a dream. “I left you that review but you never contacted me.”

“I only had your first name.” Finn pursed his lips. “Drivers don’t get your personal information. It’s a safety thing.”

“Oh. That makes sense. And I couldn’t call you because I had the same amount of information that you did.” Ollie suddenly didn’t feel so bad about not hearing from Finn.

“You had a little bit more. You knew I worked in this town.” Shifting, Finn leaned in, placing his elbows on his knees. “So, I guess it’s my turn to ask. Why areyouhere?”

Ollie looked down at the blanket pooled in his lap. “I needed a change. Life back home was stifling and I wanted to be my own person.” Ollie’s gaze snapped up to meet Finn’s. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my family but they can be a lot. And I have a friend that lives here so I figured…” He tried to give his best whimsical smile. “Why not?”

“Ah.” Finn put a warm palm on Ollie’s arm and somehow it slid down until they were holding hands. “It’s good to see you again.”

Ollie could feel his face burning. He wished he’d gone out with more than a layer of tinted moisturizer but it was too late now; luckily his disheveled state didn’t seem to put Finn off. “It’s good to see you too.” He squeezed Finn’s hand, lacing their fingers together, ready to pinch himself again because he could barely believe that this was happening.

“Are we going to talk about why you passed out on me? Do I need to bring you to urgent care?” Finn tilted his head, concern peeking through the heat in his eyes.

“I’m just overworked.” Ollie couldn’t hold his gaze so he stared down at their interlocked hands. “Between the move and unpacking and trying to find a job, I’ve been stressed. So, I went for a run but I don’t think I ate enough. Then you scared me half to death.”

“Sorry about that.” Finn ducked his head, chagrined.

“Don’t apologize. I should be thanking you for not letting me hit the floor and for taking care of me.” Ollie was sure his cheeks were tomato-red and wanted to cover his face but that would require him to release Finn’s hand, which he never wanted to do. “You said you asked Mason to help? Did he see me pass out?”

“No, but I called him upstairs once you did and he…no offense but he’s kind of an asshole.”

Ollie laughed. “I know. That’s why I like him.”

“What?” Finn’s expression was all disbelief.

“He’s not really a jerk. He’s a very focused odd duck who doesn’t like to be interrupted.” Ollie could relate. He was like that with his makeup tutorials.

“You could’ve hit your head and died!” Finn’s concern was very cute.

“But I didn’t because you were there.” That was true. “And I wouldn’t have passed out in the first place if you hadn’t frightened me.” That was half-true.

“Okay. I admit I might be a little at fault but Mason is still a little bit of an asshole.”

“He just keeps to himself.”

“Does he talk to you?"Finn raised an eyebrow.

“We have an understanding. A vibe. He was very clear about us not bothering each other and I’m totally on board with that.” Ollie found himself shuffling a bit closer to the edge of the bed, toward Finn. “After living with my parents and siblings, Mason’s indifference is a perk.” It was the perfect solution for Ollie because he was tired of the questions, the concerned stares, and the comments on his weight and his meals.

“Why is he renting a room anyway? This house is worth millions, he’s not lacking for money.” Finn shook his head. “Wait, you don’t have to answer that. I’m being nosy. My buddy Opie tells me I need to dial it back sometimes.”

“No, it’s fine. You’re fine.” Ollie grinned. “It’s his place but not. His grandmother died and left it to him so the downstairs is like a shrine. But his family wants the house. He’s on the phone a lot arguing with them and calling lawyers and stuff.”

“Does he need any references? Opie knows some people.”

Ollie blinked. Could Finn be any sweeter? “No, I think he’s got it covered. But lawyers aren’t free and there are property taxes and stuff so he needs to bring in more cash. That’s why he’s renting.”

“Ah.” Finn cleared his throat, breathing in deeply as if he were gearing up for something. His hand became warmer and Ollie could feel a shift in the air. “How about this time I get your number? I’d like to see you again and not three months from now.”

Ollie bit his lip, hesitant. He wasn’t sure what to make of this but there was certainly chemistry between them. And he couldn’t deny that he liked Finn. How could he not? Finn was gorgeous and sweet and for some reason interested in Ollie. But was he gay? The last two times Ollie had tried to date, he’d been picked up by someone who had never been with a man before and both had ended in disaster, which led to Ollie’s new golden rule - no straight men.

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