Page 24 of Ravenous

“That kind of sucks.” Her tone held a rare sympathy. “I mean, he probably has his reasons. Maybe he’s gotten hurt by straight men before. It happens, even to people I know and love.”

“Huh, okay.” Finn still thought the whole thing was stupid. “But I’m not gonna lie, it hurts. Even though we were only at the beginning, I fell hard and fast. Then he found out I was straight and kicked me out of his place. Usually, I would fuck off but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him and I don’t know what to do. Should I try again? Should I give up?”

“Hmm…”

“What?”

“You’re invested. We dated for what? A few months? And I don’t think you liked me half this much.”

Finn blinked in shock, dropping the ring, and it bounced against his chest, over the quilt. “That’s not true.”

“Listen, you’re a great guy. We had fun. But whenever we were together you seemed…” Finn’s eyebrows rose as she paused. “Solitary.”

“I thought I was an open book.” Finn was pretty curious about how others saw him. He’d gone through a longis it me?phase during high school and college, but the ease with which he made surface friends and his kinship with Owen showed him that it wasn’t his personality, just a curse. Had he somehow pissed off a witch in a previous life?

“I mean, youwere. But there was something that kept us frommmm…” She dragged out the word.

“Connecting?”

Ellie let out a breath. “Yeah. I’m honestly happy for you, that you met someone who can get in there.”

“Well, it doesn’t mean anything if he doesn’t want me due to a technicality,” Finn mumbled.

“He kicked you out of his place?” Her question was sharp, quick-fire.

“Yeah.” Finn rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger.

“Was he mean? Angry?”

Finn didn’t want to comb through the memory but he did, opening his eyes and staring up at the short overhang of his roof. “He was upset, holding back tears.”

“So, he felt something for you too?”

Finn nodded as if she could see him. “I believe so.”

“How long has it been?”

“About three weeks.”

“Has there been any contact since he broke it off?”

“No.” Finn shook his head, vowing to FaceTime for the next call.

“Hmm…” She went silent again. Finn absently tracked a brown bird with a huge white belly as it hopped around the yard. “Give him until the holidays. It makes people sentimental, or just mental. See if he calls you. If he doesn’t and you still feel the same? Then text him one more time. Whatever the answer is? That’s final. And if you’re lucky enough to run into him somewhere? Plead your case like you’re in court. Worst he can say is no.”

“Uh. Okay. Yeah.” Finn nodded, this time at himself as he realized that was a solid plan. “That’s really helpful, thank you.”

“I live to serve. Actually, I’m kidding, you should pay me.”

“How about I take you out for coffee and if it doesn’t work out, I can tell you all about it. If it does, then you can meet him.” Finn hoped beyond hope that it was the latter.

“Yes. To anythingpost-holidays. I am currently ass-deep in final projects and once I’m done with them, I’m drinking until New Year’s Day.”

“Sounds like you’ll deserve it.” Finn smiled. “Thank you again for the advice.”

“I wish you luck. May the evil gods be with you.” Her voice softened. “Keep in touch, you wanker.”

7

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