Page 52 of Ravenous

Finn shook his head. “We didn’t do anything if that’s what you’re asking.”

“I know we didn’t because you’re a knight.” Ollie gave Finn a small secret grin that made his heart pound straight out of his chest.

“I’m a knight?” Finn’s brain fell over on its side.

“Yeah.” Ollie rolled the desk chair until he could put his hands on Finn’s knees. “You’re strong and chivalrous. I feel safe when you’re around. I had amazing dreams last night like I was surrounded by calm waters, and it was you.”

Warmth spread from Finn’s thumping heart, causing his limbs to burn and his soul to ache. Ollie, who feared so much, felt safe around him? And he thought of Finn as a knight? A careful pride blossomed, spreading through his soul.

“You’re gonna make me blush, Sunshine.” They were connecting extremely well and Finn couldn’t bring himself to ask Ollie about his issues right now because he didn’t want to see that bright smile turn gloomy again. He didn’t even want to reach for the delivery but his glance toward the white plastic bag gave him away. Ollie’s eyes followed and to his credit, his expression didn’t change. He only rolled to the bag, retrieving it from the side table.

“You ordered breakfast?” He stared into it, the question more loaded than he probably realized.

Finn nodded with a soft. “Y-Yeah.” He cleared his throat.

The hesitancy was there and gone in a nanosecond, as if Ollie knew Finn was watching, and he was, very closely. Close enough to see the fear on Ollie’s face before he smiled it away.

“Great!” He ripped it open. “What did you get me?”

Finn wasn’t a knight. He was a coward.

It was one thing to know you had a problem to address, it was another to address it. Now he understood why people said that communication was important in relationships; although his loneliness had vanished, it was slowly being replaced with unease as a few more days ticked by and he couldn’t find a time or place to bring up Ollie’s eating issues.

Because, aside from his disquiet, things had been going well between them. Very well. Ollie had become more affectionate, almost clingy since they’d woken up in bed together earlier that week, and Finn knew that the moment he opened the subject, it would create an unmendable rift in their relationship. So, he procrastinated again, fiddling with the ring around his neck so much that he was about to wear off the engraving.

“You know that my social media has been wild since you were my guest star.” Ollie swiveled to face Finn, their knees brushing. He’d moved the long tables out but the tiny office still didn’t have enough room for more than a desk, two chairs, and a small shelving unit.

“Really?” Finn sat up a bit more. They’d just gotten to work and Ollie had been scrolling The Pointe’s social media while Finn was on his second cup of coffee. “Do you think I should get, what do you call it? AnInsta?” He pretended to fluff his hair and Ollie rolled his eyes, grinning.

“I can set you up with one. Liam’s very popular thanks to my handiwork, although he only posts pictures of sunsets and landscapes when heshouldbe putting that gorgeous face to use.” Ollie raised an eyebrow, lips pursed. “Speaking of gorgeous faces, a bunch of my followers want me to give you a makeover.”

“A makeover? But I’m already flawless.” Finn crossed his arms, sticking his nose up.

“Of course you are. Your grunge look is very retro,veryearly-nineties drip,” Ollie stated in an over-the-top sarcastic tone.

Finn made afaceat that and Ollie’s laughter filled the room, Finn quickly joining him.

“If you were to give me a makeover, what would it entail?” he asked once they could both breathe again.

“Shaping your beard, putting product in your hair, doing your eyebrows, getting you a nice suit.Maybea casual outfit.” Ollie blinked at him coquettishly. “It’s basically dressing you like a Ken doll.”

“I’m kind of disappointed that you don’t want to go full glam on this.” Finn pointed at his face.

Ollie giggled. “I mean, Icouldif that’s what you want.”

“Let’s go with the Ken doll thing first.” Finn wasn’t against putting on all that makeup but they should probably start small.

“We have off tomorrow.” Ollie tilted his head. “How about we go to the mall, get you some things, and do a stream?”

“I’m on board. As long as I get to hang out with you-” Finn wanted to finish with something sweet and a little cheesy but Marci burst through the door, cutting him off with impeccable timing.

“Ready the protective gear, gentlemen, because John the Jerk has entered the building.” Her nose wrinkled like there was an awful smell in the hallway.

“Fuck.” Finn threw a hand in the air. “I thought he was in Texas untilat leastApril.”

“Trust me, no one is more upset about that than me. He’s here because The Pointe is officially booked two years out, and that’s partly due to him.” Marci pointed at Ollie.

“Me?” Ollie straightened his denim patchwork sweater, looking simultaneously pleased and confused.

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