Chapter Ten
Finley
When the alarm went off at 5:30, Finley groaned. He felt like he'd only just gotten to sleep. He dragged himself out of bed, turned on the coffee pot, then hopped in the shower. His plan was to go to the bakery, get the cannoli, and head to the hospital. He just hoped he could get into Ferguson's room.
After dressing, he went into the kitchen and fixed his coffee in a to-go cup. He looked around the apartment and realized just how empty and lonely it was. Maybe he should move into Zaine's house.
Shaking his head, he put the thought aside for the moment and headed out. He walked into the bakery right at 6:30 to the smell of fresh baked goods.
“Welcome to Hexes and Oh's Bakery,” the pink-haired woman behind the counter said.
“Good morning. I'm looking for Sorcha,” he said as he approached.
“She's in the back whipping up a batch of cannolis. You must be Finley. She said you'd be in. Why don't you pick out a pastry and have a seat while you wait.”
“That's me,” he replied and got a cherry turnover.
Half an hour later, Sorcha came out of the back carrying a small box. “Hey, you,” she said and gave him a quick kiss. “Here you go. Make sure he eats the whole thing and remember intent means everything.”
“I'll remember, Sweetheart. Thank you,” he said and kissed her.
He left and headed to the hospital to be there when visiting hours started. He approached the reception desk and cleared his throat.
“Can I help you?” the woman behind the desk asked.
“I hope so. Can you tell me what room Hugo Ferguson is in?”
Her fingers flew across her keyboard before she looked up at him. “He's on the Cardiac floor, room 4502. You can take those elevators there, but visiting hours don't start until 9.”
“I know, I don't mind waiting,” he said and headed to the elevators. At promptly 9 am when visiting hours started, Finley approached Ferguson's door. He knocked before he stepped inside. “I heard you were in the hospital and thought I'd bring you a cannoli from my favorite bakery,” he told his boss.
“Thanks. You're the only one who has stopped by to check on me,” Ferguson replied. “I know that's my own fault. I haven't been the nicest of bosses. I'm surprised you're here,” he said before taking a bite of the cannoli.
Finley shrugged. “We all deserve a second chance. I think this is yours.”
“Things are going to be different once I'm out of here,” Ferguson said. “You're right, this is my second chance. Landing in the hospital with my heart acting up was a wake-up call.”
He finished the cannoli and Finley sighed quietly. He knew it wouldn't work immediately, but he hoped it didn't take too long for the counter-spell to work. “I'll get out of here and let you rest. Hopefully, you'll be out of the hospital soon,” he said, standing.
“Thanks for stopping by, McLaughlin,” Ferguson said.
“Don't mention it,” Finley replied and left. When he got to his vehicle, he sent Sorcha a quick text.
Me: He ate the whole thing
Sweetheart: That's good. It may take a couple of days before he's back to normal, but the spell will work
Me: I believe in your skills. What are you doing today?
Sweetheart: I'm working at the bakery until 2, then my shop until 6, and after that, I'm getting boxes so I can start packing. Zaine’s coming to help
Me: Want a third set of hands? I can come to help too
Sweetheart: I'd like that. I'll let Zaine know because he's picking up dinner. See you this evening
Me: See you this evening, Sweetheart
He put his phone away and headed to the office to get some work done.
Sorcha
After texting with Finley, Sorcha sent a quick text to Zaine.
Me: Good morning, Babe. I hope you slept well. When you pick up dinner, make sure to get enough for three. Finley's coming over to help
Hotstuff: Sure thing, Angel. The more the merrier
Me: See you tonight then
She focused on taking care of customers coming into the bakery, and the day passed quickly. When she got to her shop, she went upstairs to get Zen and carried him downstairs to his perch.
“How was your trip?” Acadia asked.
“It was really good. I got what I needed,” Sorcha replied.
“Did you do anything fun?”
Sorcha debated before she grinned. “I wasn't alone. The hot guy I had a date with, he was with me and so was Zaine. I don't really know how it happened, but I have two guys and I am over the moon for both of them,” she told her.
“Oh, wow, Sorcha, I'm so happy for you. And a bit jealous, because they are both hot.”
“Thanks. What's even crazier is, that Zaine asked me to move in with him and I said yes,” Sorcha told her.
“Holy shit, girl! That's huge. That explains the boxes you brought in with you. You don't think you're moving a little fast, do you? You just got together,” Acadia pointed out.
“But we've secretly been in love with each other for years,” Sorcha told her. “I know it was only two nights that I was in the same bed with both of them, but I already got used to it. I struggled with sleep last night because I was alone. I guess Zaine is right, when you know, you know.”
“As long as you're sure,” Acadia said.
“I'm sure,” Sorcha replied.
“Okay then. I'm going to head out. Have a good rest of your day,” Acadia told her, grabbed her bag, and left.
Sorcha had several regulars come in to see what new stuff she had, and a few new customers stopped in to look around. By the time closing arrived, she was more than ready to lock up.
Finley walked in five minutes to closing and she smiled. “Hey Love,” she said and hummed when he leaned down and kissed her. “Zaine should be here any minute.”
“Hey yourself, beautiful,” he replied. “You're sure he's okay with me being here too?”
“Yeah, I am,” Zaine said from behind him. “Like I told our girl, the more the merrier.”
“Let me lock up, and then we can head upstairs. I'll let you guys carry the boxes while I get Zen,” Sorcha said.
“Sure thing, Angel,” Zaine replied and kissed her gently.
She slid past him to turn the sign around to ‘closed’ and locked the door. She was actually doing this. She was going to pack up her apartment and move in with her best friend.
She went to Zen and picked him up off the perch. “Come on handsome boy, let's go upstairs and pack. You're going to love our new home.”
“I've got the area for his cage cleared already,” Zaine said. He approached her and rubbed Zen's head. “I knew I needed to get that done first,” he told her.
“Thank you. My good boy is important,” Sorcha said.
“I know he is, and that makes him important to me,” Zaine replied. “Come on, let's go eat and then pack,” he added.
“You two can carry the boxes,” Sorcha said. “What'd you pick up?” she asked as she led the way.
“Italian. Chicken carbonara, garlic bread, and salad with zesty Italian dressing on the side,” Zaine replied.
“I thought I smelled garlic,” Finley said as he brought up the rear.
“Good nose,” Sorcha said. She opened the door and stepped into her apartment. “Warning, Finley, my apartment is small,” she said as she made her way to Zen's cage. She got him settled with his food and turned to get plates from the kitchen, but Zaine beat her to it.
“Don't worry, Sweetheart, mine's not that big either,” Finley told her. He went to her and wrapped his arms around her for a moment. He squeezed her gently and kissed the side of her neck. “I love that you keep your hair in braids, it gives easy access to your lovely neck.”
She shivered at the kiss. “I'm happy to oblige,” she purred.
“I'm feeling a little left out,” Zaine said, approaching them. He closed the distance and kissed her.
“Better?” Sorcha asked once the kiss ended.
“Much,” he growled. “Let's eat while it's still warm,” he said and stepped back.
Sorcha stepped out of Finley's arms and went to her small table where dinner was set up. “This looks delicious,” she said, sitting down and grabbing a plate to dish up the food.
“Smells really good, too,” Finley said, filling his own plate.
“I'd like to take credit, but today I didn't cook,” Zaine said as he filled a plate as well. They ate in companionable silence that was only broken by Zen's hooting.
“I'm stuffed,” Sorcha said when she finished her salad.
“This was good. Thanks for dinner Zaine,” Finley said.
“You're welcome. Let's get this cleaned up so we can get packing,” Zaine replied.
“Anxious?” Sorcha teased.
“For you to be in my home, and my bed, every night? You're damn right I am,” Zaine said. “The only thing that would make it perfect is if Finley moved in with us,” he added.
“You really want me in your space sharing our girl every night?” Finley asked.
“Yeah, man. We're a V, our girl needs both her tops with her, and I like having you around.”
“You like bossing him around,” Sorcha joked.
“I prefer to call it directing a scene. And Finley takes direction so well.”
“Thanks, I think,” Finley said with a laugh.
“It's a compliment,” Zaine told him.
“All right let's clean up,” Sorcha said, wanting to take the pressure off of Finley.
They took care of the dinner dishes and then started packing. Zaine tackled the living room, Finley took the kitchen, and Sorcha took her bedroom and bathroom.
At ten o'clock, Sorcha was ready to call it a night. “All right, boys, I think we've done enough for tonight. Besides, we only have one empty box left,” she said. “Wow, my place looks so bare with almost everything packed.”
“It really does,” Zaine said. “Finish tomorrow, then move you in the day after?” Zaine asked.
“That sounds good to me,” Sorcha replied.
“I'll be counting down the minutes until I have you in my bed,” Zaine said, pulling her into his arms. He lowered his head to kiss her, and she sighed against his lips.?
“So will I.” Then she turned to Finley. “I hope you give moving in with us some serious thought.”
“I will, Sweetheart. It's a big decision to make,” Finley told her.
“It is, and it's one I didn't make lightly. I think I've always belonged with the two of you, it just took a spell to bring you into my life,” she said, and went to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I'm in love with you, Finley McLaughlin, just as much as I'm in love with Zaine.”
He lowered his head. “That's a good thing, Sweetheart, because I'm in love with you, too,” he replied. Then he kissed her.
Sorcha melted against him. “As much as I want to get naked with both of you right now, I'm beat and 4am comes around awfully early.”
“You're right. You need your sleep,” Zaine said and kissed the back of her neck.
Sorcha leaned back against him. “I can't wait to be moved in,” she murmured.
“I can't wait either. Two days. Finley should come over to help us celebrate. I'll hire a mover to move everything, including Zen's cage,” Zaine told her.
“Sounds like a good plan,” Sorcha replied.
“I'll definitely help celebrate,” Finley told them.
“Good. Now let's get our girl into bed,” Zaine said. He guided Sorcha to her bedroom and he and Finley helped her undress. Zaine tucked her in and then kissed her forehead. “Sweet dreams Angel,” he said and stepped back. “Don't worry, I'll lock the door behind us,” he added. He had a spare key to the side door.
Finley stepped beside her and added his own kiss to her forehead. “See you tomorrow Sweetheart,” he told her, and they left.
Sorcha heard the door close behind them and let her eyes drift closed. Her last thought before sleep claimed her was I can't wait to be in Zaine's arms again.