Chapter 12
TWELVE
Finn watched Brooklyn climb the steps to Isabel’s front porch, her overnight bag slung over one shoulder, books clutched to her chest. She turned back once, offering a small wave and a knowing smirk before disappearing inside.
Marcus greeted her with a warm smile visible through the screen door.
The unexpected invitation for a sleepover had caught Finn off guard, but Brooklyn’s eagerness to hang out with a friend even though she’d been excited about her new stack of books had really thrown him.
Then again, knowing those two, they’d wind up curled up in Isabel’s room, reading their books and chatting about what was happening in them.
“You should call Ollie,” she’d said casually as he’d pulled out of the driveway, her nose buried in her new book. “Since you’ll have the house to yourself and everything.”
The suggestion, delivered with studied nonchalance, had nearly made Finn swerve into the next lane. “What makes you think I’ll call Ollie?”
Brooklyn had given him a look that perfectly captured teenage exasperation. “Dad. Seriously.”
Now, sitting in his idling car outside Isabel’s house, Finn stared at his phone. Brooklyn’s tacit permission—no, her encouragement—had unlocked something in his chest. Before he could overthink it, he typed a quick message to Ollie.
Still at the store? I could stop by if you’re free.
Just closing up. Jules and Sam left 10 minutes ago.
Finn’s heart quickened as he pulled away from the curb.
The short drive back to Shelf Care Central felt both too long and too short, his mind racing with possibilities.
Brooklyn was safe with friends. He’d gotten far enough on his manuscript before she woke up this morning that he could take one night off.
For the first time in weeks, nothing stood between him and what he wanted.
And what he wanted was Ollie.
The bookstore’s lights were still on when Finn pulled up, casting a warm glow onto the darkening sidewalk.
Through the window, he could see Ollie moving around inside, straightening displays that had been pawed through during the day.
His curls were even more out of control than usual, and he’d changed from the event T-shirt into a soft-looking sweater that hung loose on his slight frame.
Finn sat in his car for a moment, just watching.
There was something about seeing Ollie in his element that sent a thrill through him, unlike anything he’d experienced before.
The feeling was exhilarating and terrifying all at once, this attraction to another man that he’d never allowed himself to act upon.
His palms felt sweaty against the leather of the steering wheel as the reality of what he was about to do settled over him.
This wasn’t just a casual drop-in. This was the next step toward something entirely new.
Before he lost his nerve, Finn got out of the car and approached the door. He knocked lightly, and Ollie looked up, his face breaking into a smile that made Finn’s knees feel suddenly unreliable.
Ollie hurried over, fumbling with the lock for a moment before swinging the door open. When their eyes met, something electric passed between them.
“Hey,” he said, voice lower than usual. “I didn’t expect to see you again today.”
“Brooklyn’s staying at Isabel’s for the night,” Finn explained, stepping inside. “I thought… I don’t know. I wanted to see you.”
The simple admission hung between them, more honest than Finn had intended. Ollie’s eyes widened slightly behind his glasses, a flush creeping up his neck and then spreading across his cheeks. Finn watched, mesmerized, as Ollie’s throat worked with a swallow.
“Oh,” he said softly, the single syllable carrying a weight of longing. “I’m glad.”
They stood there for a moment, barely a foot apart, the air between them charged with possibility.
Finn was acutely aware of how alone they were, of the quiet hum of the store around them, of Ollie’s breathing—slightly faster than normal.
His gaze dropped to Ollie’s lips, then back to his eyes, and he saw his own hunger reflected there.
Finn’s pulse quickened as he fought the urge to close the distance between them, to finish what they’d started weeks ago.
“I’m almost done here,” Ollie said, gesturing to the nearly straightened store. “Another fifteen minutes and I’ll be able to lock up without hating myself for leaving a mess for morning.”
“I can wait,” Finn offered. “Or help.”
“You’ve already done more than enough today,” Ollie said, but his smile was warm. “Though I wouldn’t say no to company while I finish up.”
As Ollie moved around the store, turning off lights and checking locks, Finn was once again drawn to the romance section.
His own books—Rhett Wilder’s books—were prominently displayed, the covers familiar yet strange in this context.
He ran a finger along the spine of his last release, the secret heavy in his chest.
“You really should read that one,” Ollie said, appearing at his elbow. “I wasn’t kidding earlier. It’s incredible.”
Yeah, the series is so good it’s nominated for a major award.
Finn swallowed hard. “I’m almost done with the first one.”
“Seriously? I thought you were just trying to be nice earlier. In that case, I really will text you some other recommendations,” Ollie promised, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. He hesitated, then added, “So, what did you have in mind? For tonight, I mean.”
The question was casual, but Finn could hear the undercurrent of uncertainty. He realized with a start that Ollie was nervous too—that whatever was happening between them felt just as significant, just as fragile to him.
“I thought maybe we could walk?” Finn suggested.
“It’s not too cold, and the park’s nice this time of year with the leaves turning.
I was thinking about it earlier, and we’ve never talked about much other than the bookstore and Brooklyn.
Maybe we could get to know one another better outside of those things. ”
Ollie’s smile softened. “I’d like that.”
They left the store, Ollie locking the door behind them.
The evening air was crisp but not uncomfortable, the sky deepening to indigo as the last traces of sunset faded.
They fell into step beside each other, close enough that their shoulders occasionally brushed, sending little sparks of awareness up Finn’s arm.
“So,” Ollie said after a moment, “it seems like Brooklyn had a good time today.”
“She did,” Finn agreed, grateful for the easy opening. “It’s the most engaged I’ve seen her in weeks. She even voluntarily spoke to adults who weren’t you or Isabel’s dad.”
Ollie laughed, the sound bright in the quiet evening. “I’ll take that as a win.”
“She, uh, actually mentioned you on the way home,” Finn admitted, his heart rate picking up. “Said you were nice.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners, the amber flecks in his irises catching the warm glow from the streetlights. “What else did she say?”
Finn hesitated, then decided on honesty. “She said it’s okay if I like you.”
Ollie’s step faltered slightly. “She did?”
“Yeah.” Finn shoved his hands in his pockets, suddenly feeling exposed. “Apparently, it’s been the subject of some discussion between her and Isabel.”
“Good to see the gossip mill isn’t limited to the older generations,” Ollie said, but there was no real dismay in his voice. “And do you?”
The question was delivered lightly, almost teasingly, but Finn could hear the vulnerability beneath it. They’d reached the park entrance, the path before them winding through trees strung with tiny white lights that glowed softly in the growing darkness.
“I think you know the answer to that,” Finn said quietly, taking a half-step closer until he could feel the warmth radiating from Ollie’s body.
Ollie’s eyes met his, warm and hopeful in the soft glow of the park lights. “Maybe I need to hear it anyway,” he whispered, his gaze dropping briefly to Finn’s lips.
The simple request, so honest and direct, broke through Finn’s careful reserve. He reached out, fingers tentatively brushing against Ollie’s, the slight contact sending electricity up his arm. When Ollie’s fingers intertwined with his, Finn felt something in his chest crack open.
“Yes,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended as he gently tugged Ollie closer until their chests were nearly touching. “I like you, Ollie. More than I expected to. More than I know what to do with, sometimes.”
Finn’s free hand moved to Ollie’s waist, resting lightly against the soft fabric of his sweater. Ollie’s breath quickened, and his pupils dilated behind his glasses.
“Good,” he murmured, his hand coming up to rest against Finn’s chest, right above his thundering heart. A smile bloomed across Ollie’s face, bright and genuine. “Because I like you too. In case that wasn’t blindingly obvious.”
The last word was barely out of his mouth before Finn leaned forward, pressing his lips softly against Ollie’s.
The kiss was gentle, questioning, a tender exploration rather than a demand.
Ollie made a small sound of surprise that melted into a sigh as he leaned into the contact, his fingers tightening around Finn’s.
As much as he wanted to keep kissing Ollie until they were breathless, Finn broke the kiss before things got out of control.
The admission, simple as it was, loosened something in Finn’s chest. They continued walking, the path curving gently through the park. Their hands brushed twice before Finn caught Ollie’s fingers with his own. The contact sent warmth spiraling up his arm, settling somewhere beneath his ribs.
“This is nice,” Ollie said softly, squeezing Finn’s hand. “Just…being. No crisis to solve, no business to save.”
“No interrupting teenagers,” Finn added with a small smile.