Page 16 of Ravenous

“Can’t a guy stop by to see his best friend every once in a while?” Rubbing his hands together, Finn looked around the room. Being venue manager of The Pointe had its advantages; Owen’s office was sizable, with a couch off to one side, a large desk in its center, and a glass wall that displayed the hallway when the vertical blinds were open.

“Sure, and he can also tell me what’s wrong.” Owen pressed a button on his phone, most likely silencing it, and leaned back against his desk, waiting.

“There’s…nothing wrong.” Finn flopped onto the couch, still not ready to talk about his myriad problems.

“Just so you know, I can read you like you read me so I’m not buying that.” Owen folded his arms. That wasn’t entirely true. Finn had been hiding his not-jealousy about Owen and Liam’s relationship but, for some reason, Owen was blind to it. “What’s going on?”

“Well…” Finn took in a long breath, huffing it out. He might as well start with the work troubles, that was the easy stuff. “I have the rideshare thing and I also had that job at the café and the shoe store, right?”

Owen’s generous eyebrows rose until lines appeared on his forehead. “Had?”

“Yeah, the shoe store is closing, I found that out last week, and today the café said they don’t need me anymore. They’re hiring a bunch of high school kids and I guess it’s cheaper to pay them less.”

“I’m sorry, Finn.” Owen joined Finn on the couch. “That sucks.”

“Yeah. I guess it’s back to the job search again.”

“Maybe not.” Owen had a strange expression on his face, one Finn hadn’t seen in the fifteen years they’d been friends.

“What?” Finn stared at Owen in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“How do you feel about working at The Pointe?” Palms up, Owen spread his hands, gesturing around him.

“W-Wait a minute. You wantme,” Finn pointed at himself, “to workhere?” then he pointed at the floor, his mouth open.

“Sure. We need more staff. I could use another person to assist with everyday odds and ends,butwe’re also buying a shuttle bus so we can pick up bridal parties and guests from the local hotels and drive them to and from The Pointe. It will reduce traffic and drunk driving in the area. John has already signed off on it, and I thinkyou’dmake the perfect driver.” Owen clapped him on the shoulder. “What do you say?”

“Um…wouldn’t that be nepotism? Shouldn’t I interview or something?” Finn bit his lip.

“I’m allowed to show a little favoritism. And here’s the interview.” Owen smiled. “Would you like to work here, Finn?”

Finn had to admit, this was a great opportunity. Joy bubbled in his system as he thought about working with his best friend and he grinned from ear to ear. “Hell yeah.”

“Would you be okay with full time?”

“I should, all my jobs together were more than fifty hours a week. And it’ll be nice to have only one place to go to.” This was his first full-time gig and the realization caused him to slap a hand on either side of his face, as if he were inHome Alone. “Aargh, I guess I’m growing up!”

After getting a start date, Finn managed to meander through the conversation while avoiding what he’d really shown up for, and he thought he might be home free until Owen pursed his lips and studied him.

“Are yousurethere isn’t anything else you want to talk about?”

Finn sighed. “I need to get another friend who can’t read me so well.”

“Nope, I’m your only friend.” Owen turned, resting his back against the arm of the sofa, facing Finn.

“Sad, but true.” Finn rubbed his hands together again, fidgeting. He opened his mouth, closed it, and took a long slow breath. Why was this so difficult? He needed to say something,anything. “Owen, how did you know you were gay?”

Thatwas his starter? At least he’d used Owen’s real name, underscoring how serious this was.

“What?” Owen blinked. “Why are you asking?”

Wiping a hand down his face, Finn sighed. “Because you were right. I met someone.” Owen had zeroed in on that a week after Finn’s first encounter with Ollie and when asked about it, Finn had deflected. But he was as ready as he’d ever be to reveal it now. “And I think I might be bisexual.”

“Oh.” Owen sat up straighter and Finn could tell when it finally sunk in because his eyes went wide. “Oh. So, the person you met is…”

“A man, yes. And that’s not an issue for me. It’s just taking a bit to wrap my head around the fact that I’m not straight, or as straight as I thought.”

“Okay. Wow.” Owen took in a deep breath and blew it out, thinking for a moment. “Well, I’ve always maintained that sexuality is fluid. Until I was thirty I thought I was bisexual but my attraction to women dissolved as I aged.”

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