Page 33 of Ravenous

“You all nailed it!” Ollie pumped his fist in the air once they were done. “The bride and groom are going to love this!” Ollie glowed in the center of the crowd, looking deliciously sleek in black slacks and a button-up shirt. His outfit indicated that he was working the party; if he was attending, then he would be dressed to kill, but why was he at The Pointe?

Finn got his answer as soon as Mason popped out of the main room. Camera in hand, he circled everyone like a shark, snapping away. Ollie slipped out of the group, hovering behind until Mason pointed at a stepstool that had been placed off to the side. Lightning fast, Ollie grabbed it, following Mason back inside; however, he stopped in the doorway and shook his head, looking unsteady on his feet.

Climbing the last few steps, Finn tried to go to him but Ollie recovered so fast that he was winding his way through the room by the time Finn reached the threshold. Watching him walk away, Finn felt a surge of possession again, wanting to follow, be next to him, bring him somewhere and touch him until they were both satisfied, and need flooded his veins with such strength that he backed up, leaning against the wall, surprised.

He hadn’t been lying when he told Ollie that he’d never felt this way about anyone before. He felt instantly connected to Ollie, and his thoughts never strayed very far from his sunshine.

Hissunshine.

And Finn only wanted more.

But he was still grimy from storage room Tetris, so he slid away before Ollie noticed him, finishing his journey upstairs where he washed up in the staff bathroom and went to Owen’s office. The DJ was so loud thatDaddy’s Little Girlrattled the walls as he changed into a fresh uniform tux, letting him know that midnight was closing in.

Finn had a little something in mind, but he needed to time it just right.

Despite the freezing temperatures, the patio was packed, the air alive with excitement. People hugged, children ran around the crowd with sparklers in hand, and every few seconds someone cheered.

“One minute to go!” Owen announced, a bottle of champagne in his hand. Liam was next to him, pressed close, a dreamy smile on his face, and Michael stood in front, wearing a flashing headband that said Happy New Year. More hoots and hollers rang out from the crowd, joined by Marci and Dylan waving noisemakers, and servers handed out glasses of bubbly, making sure that everyone had a drink in their hand.

Hovering in the shadow of a small pine, Finn tracked Ollie, who stood on the lawn next to Mason as he fiddled with the head of a tripod, tilting it back to capture the sky. A monopod sat precariously beside it, facing the bride and groom, who were a few steps away from the patio, posed front and center on the grass with everyone behind them. Ollie had his phone out and a camera around his neck. Even though he wore a puffy black coat it was clear that he was shivering and he bounced from leg to leg, trying to keep warm.

The noise from the crowd grew, solidifying into a countdown.

“Ten…nine…eight…”

Finn sprang into action, circling the courtyard’s stone wall and moving across the frozen lawn.

“Seven…six…five…”

Unzipping his coat, Finn shrugged it off, stopping behind the photographers.

“Four…three…two…one…Happy New Year!” Large booms shook the air, staining the night sky with color. Mason and Ollie were rapt with attention, Ollie switching between his camera and phone, and Finn gave them several moments to work, hoping that by this time next year he’d be kissing Ollie just the way Owen was kissing Liam right now.

Once Ollie finished his video, Finn took a few steps forward, his heart in his throat. He’d been confident watching from afar but being close to Ollie made him second-guess himself in new ways. He wasn’t used to someone holding his heart in their hands, but he was still willing to try for a yes, to show Ollie that they could be good together and he pushed the nerves aside, dropping his jacket onto Ollie’s shoulders.

“What?” Spinning around, Ollie’s jaw hit the floor. “Finn?What are you…I thought you were working tonight?”

“I am.” Yellow and blue willows burst above them, turning Ollie’s hair into a delightful shade of green. Carefully, Finn pulled a small sunflower from the inner pocket of his uniform. He’d seen them in the centerpieces and had waited until everyone had gathered outside before slipping back and swiping one. It wouldn’t be missed; the main room could double as a greenhouse. “Happy New Year, Sunshine. These always make me think of you.”

With wide eyes, Ollie slowly took the flower as if he were mesmerized. Finn held his breath, unsure. Was he welcome? Or not?

And then Ollie flicked his gaze to Finn’s and relief washed through him, for excitement and hope flickered in those pale blue eyes.

“Happy New Year, Just Finn,” Ollie said shyly, and Finn’s heart squeezed, making him want to be alone with Ollie immediately.

“Hey Mason! Can I borrow your assistant for a few minutes?” Finn half-asked, half-yelled across the lawn. Another firework flared overhead, this one gold, and a surging cheer echoed across the property.

Glancing at the two of them, Mason’s persistent frown deepened, and just as Finn thought he’d say no, he shooed them with his fingers. Not needing to be told twice, Finn grabbed Ollie’s hand, dragging him to the far side of the building, where they had privacy but could still watch the fireworks. Ollie silently hurried along, not saying a word until they settled on a stone bench under a leafless weeping willow.

“Aren’t you cold?” He shifted, wanting to return the coat but Finn shook his head, pulling it back around Ollie’s shoulders.

“I’m fine. I’ve got my tux jacket and I run warm, especially when I’m around you.”

A large purple bloom burst right above them and Ollie turned his head to look at it. His lips were parted in awe, his skin awash in violet and moonlight, and it drew Finn closer until they almost touched. Sensing the proximity, Ollie turned back and studied Finn, his expression pensive. “Why are you here, Finn?”

“Because fate keeps bringing us together, over and over, until we get it right.” Finn believed it. This was no coincidence; how many times had they bumped into each other in the last few months? Destiny didn’t take no for an answer and Finn had sided with her.

Ollie bit his lip but it popped out of its hold as he smiled. “You know what I mean. I thought you were driving people around tonight.” Red and green blossomed above them, ending in a crackle, followed by oohs and applause from the other side of the grounds.

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