Chapter 16 #2
She narrowed her eyes, direct as always. “You’re not just offering because you’re dating my dad, right?”
Ollie smiled, appreciating her bluntness. “Nope. I’m always on the lookout for new products we could sell. The fact that your dad and I are together doesn’t change that. It wouldn’t do either of us any good if your prints were hanging on the walls if no one’s interested in buying them.”
Brooklyn considered it, then nodded, her smile growing. “Okay. Yeah. I’d like that.”
“While it’s admirable that you want to earn your own money, you have to work around school,” Finn added, but he couldn’t quite hide his pride. “And homework first. Always.”
“Obviously, Dad,” Brooklyn said, rolling her eyes, though she was practically buzzing with excitement. “I can’t wait to tell Isabel. She’s going to freak out.”
As Brooklyn hurried ahead down the trail, already texting her friend, Finn reached for Ollie’s hand, squeezing it gently.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he said quietly.
“I know,” Ollie replied. “But I wanted to. She was telling me last night about how her friends always want to go out and do things, but she doesn’t have any money of her own. This is a solution to that problem without making her feel like a kid who has to ask you for an allowance.”
Finn’s gaze softened. “You’re something else, you know?”
Ollie felt a rush of warmth that had nothing to do with the weather. “Good something else, or weird something else?”
“Definitely good,” Finn murmured, leaning in for a quick kiss before they set off after Brooklyn.
Later that afternoon, they returned to Finn’s house pleasantly tired from the hike. Brooklyn disappeared to shower, leaving Finn and Ollie alone in the kitchen.
“I’m thinking of making pasta for dinner,” Finn said, opening the refrigerator. “Nothing fancy, but—”
“Anything with carbs sounds perfect,” Ollie said, leaning against the counter. “Can I help?”
They moved around each other with an ease that belied how new this was—Ollie chopping vegetables while Finn prepared the sauce, their conversation flowing naturally between topics. It felt comfortable in a way that relationships rarely did for Ollie, especially this early.
When Brooklyn rejoined them, hair still damp from her shower, she slid onto a stool at the kitchen island and watched them work.
“So when did you know you liked my dad?” she asked Ollie suddenly, causing him to nearly slice his finger instead of the bell pepper.
Finn almost dropped the wooden spoon he was holding. “Brooklyn, you can’t just—”
“It’s okay,” Ollie assured him, cautiously setting down the knife.
He considered the question, wanting to give her an honest answer.
“I think there was something there when you were little and he used to bring you into the store every weekend. There’s something about seeing a guy who’s good with his kids that melts my heart a little.
But the whole having a kid thing made me think he was straight and I didn’t stand a chance. ”
“Yeah, he did a good job making it seem that way,” Brooklyn interjected, narrowing her eyes in her dad’s direction.
“I was pretty sure he wasn’t, just because as I got older, I started noticing little things, but he never said anything for sure.
And it’s not like you can just come out and ask your dad something like that.
Anyway, tell me more. I need to make sure you’re good enough for him. ”
Finn groaned, and Ollie chuckled. He was really starting to like Brooklyn. “I think I really knew after that day he helped me reorganize the shelving in the store. He stayed late, even though he didn’t have to.”
Finn was studiously stirring the sauce, but Ollie could see the tips of his ears turning pink.
“That tracks,” Brooklyn said thoughtfully. “Dad’s always doing stuff like that. It’s his way of showing he cares without having to say it.”
“I’m standing right here,” Finn pointed out, still not looking up from the pot.
Brooklyn turned her attention back to Ollie. “And you’re not just in it for his cooking skills? Because don’t let this pasta fool you—he makes a mean lasagna too. And his grilled salmon is actually incredible.”
“Don’t forget the apple pie,” Finn added, a hint of pride in his voice.
Ollie laughed. “The food is definitely a bonus, but no, that’s not why I’m here.”
“Good,” Brooklyn said, suddenly serious. “Because he really likes you. Like, a lot. And I don’t want him to get hurt.”
The kitchen fell silent except for the soft bubbling of the sauce. Ollie met Brooklyn’s steady gaze, recognizing the protective love behind her words.
“I really like him too,” Ollie said quietly. “A lot. And I have no intention of hurting him.”
Brooklyn held his gaze for another moment before nodding once, apparently satisfied. “Cool. Can I set the table?”
As she gathered plates and silverware, Finn moved to Ollie’s side. “Sorry about the interrogation,” he murmured.
“Don’t be,” Ollie replied. “She loves you. It’s nice to see.”
Dinner was a relaxed affair, the conversation flowing easily between books, Brooklyn’s school projects, and whether Finn preferred being on the jobsites or hiding in the office.
Ollie laughed more than he had in recent memory, drawn into their family dynamic in a way that felt natural rather than intrusive.
After the meal, they settled in the living room with mugs of hot chocolate—Brooklyn’s request, which neither man could deny. Brooklyn curled up in an armchair with her copy of The Bell Jar while Finn and Ollie sat on the couch, close enough that their shoulders touched.
“Oh,” Brooklyn said suddenly, looking up from her book. “I forgot to tell you guys. Ms. Peterson assigned a project on local businesses for economics class. I was thinking maybe I could do it on the bookstore? Since I’m going to be working there and all.”
“Of course,” Ollie replied, genuinely touched. “I’d be happy to help with whatever information you need.”
“Cool. I need to interview the owner and stuff. Maybe next weekend?”
“Whenever works for you.”
Brooklyn nodded, returning to her book with a small smile. Ollie felt Finn’s hand find his on the couch between them, their fingers intertwining naturally.
Later, after Brooklyn had gone to bed, Ollie and Finn stood in the kitchen, washing the last of the dishes together.
“Today was good,” Finn said softly, passing Ollie a rinsed plate to dry.
“It was,” Ollie agreed. “Really good.”
“And you’re sure you actually want to offer her a job? I know things are tight financially. Don’t hire her just because she wants to make money of her own.”
Ollie set down the dish towel and turned to face Finn. “I meant what I said. I could use the help, and she’ll be great at it. But…” He hesitated, wanting to be honest, “I also like the idea of having her around more. Getting to know her better.”
Finn’s expression softened. “You’re already thinking about us as a package deal, aren’t you?”
“Isn’t that what you are?” Ollie asked simply. “You and Brooklyn—you come together. And I’m more than okay with that. I like her, Finn. She’s smart and funny and so clearly your daughter in all the best ways.”
Finn set down the glass he was washing and dried his hands, then reached for Ollie, pulling him close. “Do you have any idea how rare that is? A lot of people claim they’re fine with someone being a parent, but then they expect the kids to just exist in the background?”
Ollie shook his head. “Their loss. She’s not background material.”
“No,” Finn agreed, “she’s definitely not.” He paused, his eyes searching Ollie’s face. “I’m falling for you, you know. Hard.”
The words sent a thrill through Ollie’s body. “Good,” he said softly. “Because I’m already there.”
When Finn kissed him, it felt like a promise—one that extended beyond just the two of them to include the makeshift family they were cautiously, hopefully beginning to build.