Page 37 of Ravenous

He couldn’t help but smile. “I can’t argue with that.”

“Good, good.” Owen clapped him on the shoulder and then gave him a slight push toward the door. “Now let’s go check out your office.”

“I can’t believe I’ve been here almost five years and newbie gets an office.” Marci crossed her arms, leaning against the wall of the main room, where guests were starting to file in for that evening’s anniversary party.

“It’s my old office and it’s a closet. We’ve been over this,” Liam told her. He’d stopped to have lunch with Owen and lend Ollie some first-day support, which Ollie sincerely appreciated.

“And it’s just a place for me to store my things,” he added. “I can share it with you?”

“Don’t worry yourself, hun, I’m teasing.” She bumped his shoulder and then stuck her tongue out at Finn, who was bringing in more chairs, carrying one in each hand. He made a ridiculous face at her in return, causing Ollie and Liam to burst out laughing.

“S-So,” Liam gasped, wiping a tear from his eye. “You and Finn.”

“Yes. Me and Finn.” Ollie couldn’t help the soft smile that took over his lips every time he thought of his knight.

“I do not know what you see in that man,” Marci quipped but Ollie could tell she was still teasing. “Oh, by the way, you can grab sandwiches and leftover reception meals from the kitchen. Just see Angelo.”

“Will do,” Ollie lied.

Tensing, Marci tapped the button on her headset, turning on her microphone. “What’s up? The cake is here? Okay, I’ll be right out.” She tapped it again, blowing a kiss at Liam and Ollie. “See you later, boys. Duty calls.”

Liam waved and Ollie nodded as she left. The two of them stayed where they were, out of the way on the far side of the room, and shared silence until curiosity seemed to get the best of Liam.

“Howisit going with Finn? Last I heard, there werefireworks.” Liam poked Ollie’s arm, a silly grin on his face.

“I think Owen’s lame sense of humor is rubbing off on you.” Raising an eyebrow, Ollie took one step away.

“Answer the question, you’re under oath,” Liam shot back, his grin not moving.

“Did you actually say that out loud? You’re not even in law school yet,” Ollie huffed, trying to procrastinate, but Liam continued to stare, being infuriatingly and cutely inquisitive, and he cracked. “Yes, yes, okay, there were fireworks.” He wanted to be cool about it but his cheeks flushed, giving him away.

Liam nodded sagely. “Good. I admit, I never saw this comingbutI think you two are perfect for each other.”

“Trust me, I didn’t see this coming either.” Ollie tilted his head. “And you think so?”

Liam nodded with enthusiasm, his eyes clear and true until he squinted, leaning in. “What’s going on? You seem unsure.”

Ollie had read something in a self-help book that said there were no wrong decisions and he vigorously disagreed. One misguided choice could cause a heap of trouble, and while deciding to date Finn wasn’t as life-threatening as jumping out of an airplane, or as life-altering as having a child, it would affect his path, his mental health, and his diet. He knew that he had people he could talk to and get advice from but he’d been enjoying his privacy so much he was a little addicted to it; he figured he could work things out himself. However, it wouldn’t hurt to get Liam’s input.

“I guess I still have a lot of concerns.”

“Like what?” Liam straightened, rapt with attention.

“Well, we’re twelve years apart for one.” But it wasn’t the age gap that bothered Ollie, not really.

“Owen and I are twelve years apart tooandhe knew my parents. But it’s working out fine, better than fine. Age is just a number.”

“Listen to you, being all wise.” Ollie poked Liam’s sneaker with the tip of his patent leather shoe.

“What are your other concerns?”

Ollie let out a long sigh. “Well…Finn isn’t the first man I’ve dated who wasstraight.” He made quotation marks with his fingers. “Or even the second. And it didn’t go well. I’m worried about being another experiment, or a test of Finn’s sexuality.”

“That’s bullshit,” Liam blurted.

“Wow, Li-lac I don’t think I’ve ever heard you curse.” Ollie’s forehead wrinkled in shock.

“It was needed.” Liam frowned. “I assure you, Finn is not going to treat you like an experiment or a test. I haven’t known him for longbuthe’s been Owen’s friend forever, which should tell you a lot. And from what I’ve seen? He treats everyone with respect and stands up for the things he believes in. He protects the people he cares about. He’s got a very open mind…” Liam flushed. “Because he gave me and Owen his blessing even though he knew my history. He saw how much in love we were and gave me a chance when I needed it most.”

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