Page 70 of Twice Shy

Chapter Eighteen

“Luis wasn’t too sure at first,” Ollie said, showing Joel the photo on his phone. “He kinda stood near Santa rather than sat next to him, but it came out great. Look at Rory’s face…”

“Cute.” Joel was packing up their stand, not that there was a whole lot to pack away. Most parents had stopped by and obligingly bought their own child’s decoration, so it was just a case of folding up the empty boxes and returning the cash box to Alyssa. Joel’s expression when he stopped to look at the photo was intent but reserved, difficult to read. And Ollie was too tired to try; he felt like he was fraying at the edges.

“Anyway, I need to take the boys home before they get overtired. I guess we’re pretty much done here?”

“Yes, we’re done.”

A beat passed, then another. Ollie had the unpleasant feeling he was talking about more than their time on the stand. Joel had been distant and uptight all afternoon, clearly awkward about being seen together in public. Whatever. Ollie was too tired to deal with it now. “Okay,” he said testily. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around.” He maneuvered the stroller out from behind the stall. “Rory, come on, we’re—”

“Wait.” Joel caught him by the hand, stopping him. His expression twisted. “Maybe we could—?” He stopped abruptly and snatched his hand from Ollie’s as if he’d been burned.

“Mr. Morgan, Ollie!” Jackie called from somewhere behind them. “Look who I’ve found.”

Ollie turned to find her leading two men towards them—from his square-jawed, central casting good looks he guessed that one of them must be Finn Callaghan. But it was the sight of Luca Moretti trailing along behind that made Ollie’s pulse quicken.

“This is Finn Callaghan and Josh Newton,” Jackie trilled. “Finn’s invited us all to a Christmas party, isn’t that marvelous?” She gave an honest to God giggle. “When I say all of us, I mean the PTAcommittee, naturally. Not all the parents.”

To his credit, Finn Callaghan’s expression remained polite and friendly in the face of Jackie’s excitement. “It’s actually my brother’s party,” he told Ollie. “Sean and Tejana hold it every year—and you guys are definitely welcome. It’s pretty fun, right, Luca?”

Ollie’s heart kicked hard as Luca smiled blandly and said, “Absolutely.”

“Is it—?” Stupidly, Ollie’s mouth went dry talking to Luca. “Is it at the Majestic?”

Luca glanced at him, not hostile but not friendly. Ambivalent. “No, it’s up at Hanworth Hall. On the other side of the bay.”

“Oh, the Newton mansion?”

“My family used to own it,” Josh explained. “But it’s Sean and Tejana’s now.” Then his gaze drifted past Ollie and he said, “Hey Joel, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Josh.” Joel came forward and they shook hands. “Thanks for helping out today, the kids were really excited to have you visiting.”

Josh gave a self-deprecating laugh. “My pleasure. I love doing it. But I’m sure it’s Finn they’re excited to see.”

Finn nudged his arm. “Shut up,” he said affectionately. “It’s all ‘Mr. Newton, Mr. Newton!’ when we go in there.”

“He’s right,” Joel said. “Plenty of them still remember you, Josh. And nobody plays piano like you.”

“That’s a fact,” Finn said, smiling.

Involuntarily, Ollie stole a glance at Joel to see what he made of the open affection between the two men. What he was thinking, Ollie couldn’t tell, but his gaze was certainly locked on them.

“Well, I guess we’ll see you guys at the party?” Finn said, pulling Ollie out of his thoughts.

“Yeah, thanks for the invite. It sounds great.” And then, with a deep breath, he turned to Luca and added, “Maybe see you there too?”

Luca blinked. “Sure,” he said neutrally. “I’ll be there.”

“Cool.” Ollie swallowed hard, fighting to act casual. It was a little step, sure, but they’d had a conversation. That had to be a good sign, right?

As Jackie led her captive guests away, Ollie watched Luca split off and disappear into the crowd. Luca, his brother, who’d talked to him today.

“I can see why you like him.” Joel’s curt words cut through Ollie’s elation.

He blinked at him. “What?”

“Moretti. I can see why you like him, you’re both very similar. More than—” He broke off, staring out over the crowd, jaw set.

---