Page 26 of Ravenous

“Of course. That’s an emergency.” Ollie deadpanned, pushing curls out of his eyes and adjusting his suit jacket. A quick look around told him that the party was in full swing with groups of people gathered and talking animatedly, food and drink in their hands. Ollie contemplated holding something as camouflage when he caught the unmistakable scent of sandalwood and pine.

No, it couldn’t be. Honing in, Ollie spun his head toward the kitchen.

And pinned his eyes on Finn.

“What is he doing here?” Ollie was amazed that he sounded so calm because a million questions raced through his brain and he needed answers to all of them, immediately.

“Who?” Liam asked, blinking in confusion, but Ollie was already on the move, striding through the living room and easily maneuvering around the other partygoers, who were too wrapped up in their own conversations to notice. Once he reached Finn, who stared at him like he’d seen a ghost, Ollie grabbed him by the elbow.

“Kitchen,now.” Without looking back, he dragged Finn behind him until they were in the corner by the stove, out of sight.

Letting go, he took a few steps back and crossed his arms, trying to hide his shaking hands.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Thankfully his voice stayed strong.

“What areyoudoing here?” Finn echoed, recovering from his shock and crossing his arms, eyebrows raised. He didn’t seem mad or upset, just surprised and curious. Meanwhile, Ollie was a tornado of emotions.

“I asked you first.” He wanted to stomp his foot.

Finn grinned wickedly. “I asked you second and two is more than one so-”

“Are you stalking me, Finley?”

“Finn.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Ollie rolled his eyes. “Are you stalking me, Just Finn?”

“You showed up after me so I thinkyou’rethe stalker.” Finn gave him an expression that could only be read asha.

“I’m not stalking you. I’m here for Liam.Heinvited me!” Ollie blurted.

Surprise washed across Finn’s face. “Wait a minute.You’reLiam’s friend? The one from high school?”

“Yes? How do you know Liam?” Ollie could feel the reveal coming, like a boulder chasing him through a forest.

“I know them both but Opie has been my best friend forever.”

“Opie?” Ollie had heard the name before but he still couldn’t put it all together.

“Yeah, for Owen Parker. OP.” As that bombshell ripped through Ollie, Finn tilted his head “What? You’re not the only person in the world who uses nicknames.”

Ollie put his hand to his head as it started to pound. This was crazy. All this time…all this time Finn had known Owen and Liam. The friend who told Finn he needed to dial it back? Owen. The friend who’d gotten Finn a new job? Owen. They were connected in so many ways; it was almost scary.

“Hey.” A gentle hand rested on Ollie’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”

Ollie let out a sigh, rubbing his temple. “Why are you being so nice to me? I threw you out.”

“You did and that sucked.” Finn dropped his hand. “But me being shitty to you isn’t going to make you more open-minded.”

“Wh-What?” Ollie choked, forgetting about his headache for a few seconds. “Me?I’mnot open-minded?”

“That’s what I said. You won’t give me a chance because I’m not gay. Sounds pretty close-minded to me.”

“It’s…” Ollie opened and closed his mouth a few times, looking like a fish out of water. This infuriating and gorgeous man was callinghimclose-minded? “I’m allowed to have boundaries. You wouldn’t understand.”

Finn stepped closer. “Try me.”

For a few seconds, Ollie stared into Finn’s eyes, gauging whether or not it was worth it to be vulnerable. And all he found was acceptance, sincerity, and a steady calm that led Ollie to cave with a sigh.

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