Page 39 of Ravenous

“Those are the animated shorts, right? I haven’t had a chance to see them yet.”

“Then it’s your lucky night. Following those is the firstUnderworldmovie. We’ll probably need another date for the rest.”

“Sounds amazing.” Finn gave Ollie a soft grin that reflected in his eyes. “And it isdefinitelymy lucky night. Not because I get to seeEndless Warbut because I get to have a delicious meal with a gorgeous man.”

“Stahp.” Ollie could feel the blush rising in his cheeks and he fanned himself. “You are a flirt Mr. um…” Ollie blinked, his hand stopping, his lips turning down in a small frown. “Wait a second. I don’t know your last name.”

“It’s Cooper. Finn Cooper.” Finn let out a short laugh. “And I didn’t mean to say that like ‘Bond, James Bond.’ Your last name is Clark, I saw it last week when your resume was on Opie’s desk.” He let out a sigh, shaking his head back and forth. “I can’t believe it. The third Clark.”

“Wait, what?” Ollie stared at him with raised eyebrows, carefully confused.

“I dated a Clark in high school, a Clark a few years ago, and now you.” Finn turned, splaying one knee out across the couch cushion for balance, and faced Ollie, giving him a silly come-hither smile. “There must be something about the name.” He waggled his eyebrows.

A short laugh sprang from Ollie’s chest. “You probably dated my cousin.”

“Do you have any cousins?”

“Not any over eighteen.”

“Then I guess I didn’t date your cousin.” Finn bit his lip.

“Maybe one of my sisters?” Ollie shook his head, a short laugh springing from his chest at the mismatch. “But they would’ve mentionedyou.”

“I like that you think I’m worth mentioning,” Finn said, toasting with an egg roll. Grabbing his spring roll, Ollie tapped the top of Finn’s offering as if they were clinking glasses after a speech. “And I like this.”

“What? Us talking?”

Finn’s soft, reassuring grin deepened the lines in the corners of his eyes. “Yes. I want to know more about you. What your family is like, what you do for fun, your hopes and dreams, etcetera…”

Ollie blinked, staring at the plate in his lap. It had exactly two spoonfuls of steamed vegetables and the spring roll he’d just toasted with. “Well, my parents are amazing. My mom works for a non-profit and my dad has been an English teacher forever. He’s going to retire in five years. All of the kids are grown and out of the house except for my brother Tommy and we’re still close. I know a lot of families have dysfunction but like…” Ollie twirled the spring roll in his fingers, looking back up. “They love me, I love them. They might be somewhat overbearing but that’s nothing a little distance can’t fix.”

“So, moving here has been good for you?” Finn asked between shovels of food. Although he was eating, Ollie could tell he was focused on every word, actively listening.

“It has. I’m getting enough space to be who I am, I’ve gotten a good job, and…” Ollie wanted to be flirtatious like Finn but he was too bashful.

“And you met me.” Finn winked.

“Don’t be full of yourself.” Ollie turned up his nose but his lips twitched as he held back a grin.

“Too late,” Finn smirked, adding more rice to his plate. “And what are your hobbies?”

“Other than social media? Um…I like makeup, tennis, vampire movies obviously…”

“And working out.”

Ollie froze, trying not to seem too wary. “Working out?”

“Yeah, you like to run and you have a pile of weights on a stepper in your room. Plus, you’re very health conscious. Are you training for a marathon?” Finn took a big crunchy bite of a fried wonton, oblivious to the emotions his questions stirred up; however, in his favor, he didn’t comment on Ollie’s body or make any judgments. His expression was open, curious, and that made it easier for Ollie to answer.

“No, I’m not marathon training.” It was more like training to outrun dread and disaster, and to escape his former self. “I had a bit of a glow-up.”

“What do you mean?” Pausing his eating, Finn tilted his head.

“I was kind of invisible in high school. I didn’t get bullied or anything but I didn’t get noticed either. So, I learned how to do makeup. I learned how to manage my curls - and that is alongroutine. I started eating better and using skin care. I lost some weight. I was an ugly duckling and now? I’m a straight-guy magnet.” Ollie hoped his grin wasn’t too sardonic.

“I don’t believe you were ever ugly.” Finn’s face was all sincerity.

“Constantly a charmer.” Ollie dropped the grin before it became too wan. “But keeping the weight off requires discipline, so that’s why…” Ollie gestured at his plate. “And what about you?”

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