Page 18 of Ravenous

Ollie’s response was so fast it was like they were talking in real time.That’s good. A celebratory emoji broke up the sentences.It’s nice to finally hear from you, Finneus.

Finn smiled at the screen, willing to play his game.It’s not Finneus, it’s just Finn.

Three skull emojis, which Finn hoped meant ‘dead from laughter,’ began Ollie’s text.It’s nice to finally hear from you, Just Finn.

Like a teenager with a crush, Finn bit his lip and punched the air. And since fortune favored the bold, he took a chance.What are you doing tonight?

This time the response wasn’t instantaneous, and Finn’s heart sank. But before it went below sea level, a familiar chime brought it right back up.I was supposed to be looking at online job postings but I think watching a movie with you would be way more fun.

Finn knew his expression was somewhere between embarrassing shock and embarrassing elation. Another point went to his location for his varying moods were probably quite entertaining, and a bonus point was awarded to texting, for if Ollie could see Finn staring at his phone like a needy lonely sap who was far too excited to make a deep connection, then he might be scared away.

What movie?Finn wasn’t sure if Ollie wanted to go out or stay in.

You can pick, I have a bunch of them on disc and streaming. Come over in an hour?

Pain shot through Finn’s chest as his lungs screamed. He’d forgotten to breathe. Gulping in air, he grinned, typing back.I’ll be there with bells on.

You could wear clothes too.

Finn’s laughter bounced around the interior.I’ll try.

Putting his phone in the dashboard cradle, he shifted the car into drive and took off. If anyone were to ask, Finn would deny that he flew home to trim his beard, fix his hair, and scramble around looking for his cleanest pair of jeans before rushing to Ollie’s place, and he’d also deny that he felt strangely nervous again as he rang the doorbell. He hadn’t expected to be back at Ollie’s so soon and a part of him didn’t feel ready. But would he ever feel ready?

“Just go in.” The command came from above. Taking a few steps back off the porch, Finn looked up at Mason, who was perched on the roof taking pictures of the sunset. The whiz of the shutter filled the air as he snapped several photos in quick succession before peering down at Finn imperiously, aiming the camera at him, and snapping a few more. Finn flipped him the bird.

Ollie opened the door right as Finn finished his one-fingered salute, and the smile on his face eased a lot of Finn’s nerves.

“Hi there.” Dressed in oversized violet cargo pants and a long-sleeved black shirt with a swirly purple design, Ollie looked like he was about to step out of the pages of a fashion magazine. His hair was a halo, his ringlet curls fluffy around his head, and his eyes were lined with little tails at the end, making them more almond-shaped and appropriately feline. “Come on in. I promise not to floor dive again unless you want me to.”

Finn shot him a grin. “I definitelydon’twant you to. Although it was nice having you in my arms.”

Ollie laughed, his cheeks flushing. “Such a charmer.”

Standing aside, he waved his hand toward the stairs and they both wandered up to Ollie’s room, Finn’s jaw dropping as he stepped inside. The messiness and piles of boxes were gone, replaced by a serene sanctuary. The space was generous, with tons of natural light, the focal point being the cozy padded window seat that looked out onto the front lawn. Finn could see himself sitting there sipping coffee and reading his tablet, enjoying a late autumn rain. There was an overstuffed orange chair in the corner that had seen tons of love and a long white desk sat next to the window, where Ollie had his laptop open, displaying a screensaver portrait of a glamorous blond in full makeup with his arms lifted high, fingers on his temples, staring at the camera in a way that said if he didn’t already own the world, it was only a matter of time.

Finn took a few steps forward, squinting at the screen. “That’s you!”

“Itis.” Ollie bounced over. “I did my makeup and hair and hired a professional photographer for the shots. That pic is my favorite one, I use it for all my social media icons.”

“It’s stunning. You should be a model.” Finn turned to him, enjoying how Ollie fluttered his lashes, preening.

“Stahp.” He flapped a hand at his face, pretending it was a fan. “I do declare, youarea flatterer,” he drawled in an affected Southern accent. “And here I thought you forgot about little ol’ me.”

“I could never forget about you.” Finn smiled, utterly charmed by Ollie. “I even wore clothes. No bells. For you.”

“I’ll be there with bells on.”Ollie used a silly and very entertaining deep voice. “Whosaysthat in the twenty-first century? It’s like you’re in an old movie.”

“One of my rideshare customers used to say it. I think it’s cute.”

“How old were they?”

“Um…” Finn looked around the room, trying not to sink into Ollie’s adorable smirk, he’d never come out alive. “Eighty-eight?”

“I rest my case.” Ollie flounced over to the bookshelf, perusing a small collection of movies. “Are you still doing that? The rideshare, I mean.”

“For now.” Joining Ollie, Finn scanned the titles as well. “Hang on, you haveNear Dark?” Picking up the old DVD case, Finn flipped it over, checking out the back.

“Of course!” Ollie was suddenly very close to Finn. “My older sister is goth so I’m required to watch all vampire movies.”

---