Page 58 of Ravenous

Finn’s car pulled into the driveway and Ollie waved before finishing up with Rain.

I will. And no problem. If I can do anything else let me know.

“I can’t believe how good you look in a suit. No, wait. Icanbelieve it.” Ollie flounced around Finn, who was laden with shopping bags. They’d stopped at Vice and Virtue for even more caffeine and the coffee had left Ollie at full blast, so over the last few hours he’d efficiently led Finn through the mall, getting haircare products and moisturizer as well as a new suit and casual outfit.

It had been more fun than Ollie had expected and he took a lot of videos throughout the shopping extravaganza, mostly of the places they stopped at and the items they bought. After finding out that Tommy might be in the audience, Ollie felt a bit camera shy.

“I look good in anything.” Finn batted his eyelashes, stopping to pose with his arms out and Ollie grabbed one of them, giggling.

“You are an arrogant menace.” Using the arm in his grasp, Ollie dragged them toward their final stop, a shoe store the size of a warehouse.

“An arrogantOlliesexualmenace.” Finn corrected smugly.

“You know, you’re handling this dating-a-man thing really well,” Ollie ventured with a soft smile.

“Because it’s not about dating a man. It’s about datingyou.” Finn stopped to admire the window display of brightly colored sneakers as they entered the store. “I’d like you no matter if you’re a man, a woman, or a goat.”

“If I was a goat you’d be in trouble,” Ollie pointed out, wagging his finger.

“With who? The ASPCA? Even if you were a goat you’d like me back, you wouldn’t report me.” Finn gave Ollie an alluring smirk. “And I’m grateful that you gave us a chance.”

Ollie wished he didn’t blush like a schoolgirl and lose coherence every time Finn turned on the charm. “Me too. Um, with the chance,” he coughed, straightening his jacket. He’d gone with sportswear, and the voluminous pink tracksuit he wore was covered in pockets laced with white stitching and zippers. Long cords hung from some of the eyelets and it should have been messy but was executed perfectly. Ollie had left the jacket a bit unzipped, showing the bright white heat-retention shirt he wore underneath, and the ensemble was completed by one of his greatest finds - half-priced Jimmy Choo Timberland X pink boots he’d won in an online auction.

Glancing down to his left, Finn grabbed a horrid lime-green shoe and held it up, putting it right back down with a chuckle when Ollie shook his head, hands on his hips.

Jumping as his pocket buzzed, Ollie quickly fished out his cell and swiped away the lock screen of him and Finn at Match Makers, grinning.

“Who’ve you been texting all day? Should I be jealous?” Finn nudged him.

“Of Marci?” Ollie showed him the chain of texts, enjoying how he grimaced at Marci’s name. “My brother’s friend needs a job so I’m trying to get him something at The Pointe.”

“Oh? I can call Owen for you.” Reaching next to Ollie, Finn lifted a shiny dress shoe with a zipper on the side. It was edgy, almost goth, and they both nodded. Dropping the bags, Finn ducked down to check the shelves below it for his size.

“You’re very sweet,” Ollie smiled, “but Marci said, and I quote,‘As long as he’s not a serial killer - wait I don’t care - as long as he can hold a tray he’s hired. His extracurriculars are none of my business.’So, I believe I’m good.” The hall was always slightly understaffed and now, with both rooms being booked all the time, they needed even more people.

“Okay, great.” Finn straightened, box in hand, and it only took a moment for him to shed his Converse and try the new shoes. Standing, he walked up and down the aisle, modeling them. “What do you think?”

Ollie nodded approvingly. “They’re adorable. Do they fit well?”

Finn bounced a bit. “Yeah! These are more comfortable than they look.”

“Then youhaveto get them.”

“I think I will,” Finn winked and Ollie’s cheeks warmed again. Changing back into his sneakers, Finn grabbed their purchases and the box, and they walked toward the cash register until Ollie’s eyes caught a dazzling purple high heel.

“Gasp!” Ollie clapped his hands together melodramatically, stopping to pick it up.

“I’ll pay and be right back, okay?” Kissing Ollie on the forehead, Finn headed to the front of the store.

Placing the shoe in the center of his palm, Ollie took out his phone and snapped several pictures, trying to find the best light. When he was finally satisfied, he selected his favorite photo, gave it a sparkle filter, and posted it to his story with a poll.

Should I buy this gorgeousness?The choices wereYesandOFC,which some people interpreted asof courseand others, including Ollie, interpreted asof fucking course. Laughing to himself, he grabbed a picture of the shoebox label and began to search for the high heel online, trying to find it at a better price.

“Oli?” A trembling voice slapped Ollie back into reality and he froze, eyes wide, almost dropping his phone.

Slowly, Tommy came into his field of vision. His younger brother had always been a happy child who had become, in turn, a good-natured adult. He’d never been anxious or depressed, so it was jarring to see that mixture of fear and alarm on his face.

“Holy shit Ollie, what happened to you?” As if he couldn’t believe his eyes, Tommy reached out, trying to grasp Ollie’s arm, but he backpedaled, bumping into someone. Turning, he found Rain standing behind him.

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