Finn
FINN
“So, is there a reason you’re so tired?” Jasper asked as he focused on the road, driving us through the city to God knows where.
“I’m not.” I was still annoyed by his suggestion that I wasn’t doing my job or needed him to take it easy on me.
Side-eyeing me, he quirked his brow. “Finn, it’s okay to admit if you are.”
I folded my arms over my chest and turned my attention to the view passing by my window. It was nice to just sit. While I didn’t want to admit it, I was knackered.
“I’m doing this charity event. I can’t really talk about it, but it’s taking up more time than I thought. Lots of late nights. It’ll be finished soon, and things will go back to normal. Sorry if it’s impacting my work.” I tried to keep the attitude from my voice, but hiding my feelings wasn’t my strong point. It never had been.
He pulled into a car park, switched off the ignition, and turned to me. “It’s not... at all. What you’ve set up and achieved since you started working for me is nothing short of a miracle.” His compliment helped lift my low mood. “I mean it, Finn. I couldn’t do this job without you, but I also don’t want you to be exhausted. Have a lie-in. Come in at lunchtime, and if we need to make accommodations while you have these other commitments, then let’s talk about it. Deal?”
I chewed my lip. I wasn’t used to talking about what I needed, and more than that, I wasn’t used to people caring enough to give it to me. Opening up to someone terrified me, but there was something about Jasper that made me feel safe, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or if he had the potential to damage me more than people had in the past.
“Deal?” he asked again, reminding me that I’d left his question go unanswered.
“Deal, Professor.”
He offered me a nod. “Jasper, please, or Jas. My friends call me Jas.”
“You want me to call you Jas in the office? That feels wrong.”
He reached for his door handle. “Professor at work, but not outside work.”
I let my lips curl into a smile. “We’ll see. I like calling you ‘professor’.”
“Shall we eat?” Jasper was out of the car and opening my door for me before I’d even unfastened my seatbelt.
He closed the door behind me and pressed his hand to the base of my back, guiding me across the quiet road. I sucked in a breath, trying not to combust.
Was I that touch starved that my boss’ protective gesture was about to make me melt into a puddle?
“This place does the most amazing prawns, and their fish and chips are to die for,” he told me as we walked to the restaurant. “Do you want to get both, and we can share, or do you not share food?” He opened the door and let me in first before following me.
“I guess I can share as you’re paying,” I replied with a hint of humour in my tone as we stepped inside.
“Jasper? Jasper Fischer? Is that you?” a booming voice called from the back of the kitchen before an old man appeared next to the counter.
“Michael?” Jasper replied with a smile, dropping his hand from my back and holding it out to the man.
“Jesus, you’re a blast from the past. How are you?” He glanced between Jasper and me before he spoke again. “Thank God, you finally came out and found yourself a hot young man. I’m so happy for you both.” He held out his hand to me and I shook it too, while Jasper’s mouth hung open. I went to correct the man, but he spoke again before I could.
“Why don’t you take one of the firepits outside? I think there are a couple free. There are blankets out there, and you can look out over the waves. They’re the best seats in the house.” Before we could say anymore, he was around the front of the counter hustling us through the doors. “Honestly, I’m so happy to see you. Do you know what you want to order? The menu hasn’t changed much,” he said, and Jasper nodded.
“Can we get the prawn platter and the fish and chips to share?”
He grinned. “How romantic. It won’t be long.”
And just like that, Jasper and I were standing outside, staring at each other awkwardly.