Page 15 of Something Unforgettable

Archer finished up with the customer he was speaking to and made his way over. “Hey, Finn, Xavier. Good to see you.”

“This is amazing,” Finn said, gesturing to the art surrounding them as he turned to take it all in.

Archer smiled. “Thanks. It’s been a good show so far. Have you seen Eli’s jewelry?” He led them over to the tables. Eli was also extremely talented. He collected both of their cards, already making a mental list of acquaintances who would be interested in their work.

MaybeFinnshouldn’thavebeen surprised by how much he was enjoying himself. Xavier was kind and patient. Even when Finn did something stupid like blush and stammer over nothing, Xavier just waited until he was done. And so far, he hadn’t looked bored when Finn’s nerves got the best of him and he started rambling.

He was glad Eli and Archer hadn’t made a big deal out of seeing them together at Art in the Park. They’d exchanged a knowing look, and Eli had nudged Finn and waggled his eyebrows when Xavier wasn’t looking, but other than that, they hadn’t asked questions.

After they’d wandered the show for a few hours, it started to get late, and Finn knew the date was coming to an end. Xavier was sweet when he asked to walk him home. Finn agreed, if only to have a few more minutes with him. When they reached the store, Finn came to a stop. It was dark inside, his grandfather having closed up for the evening. Was it really after five? Finn should have kept better track of the time. Had he missed signals that Xavier wanted to go home earlier? Crap. He had no clue what he was supposed to do or say next. Maybe he could make a quick escape.

Finn fumbled for his key, but stilled when Xavier touched his shoulder and turned him with gentle pressure. As he looked up into Xavier’s warm, dark eyes, his mind flooded with possibilities. Would Xavier kiss him goodbye? That’s what happened at the end of a good date, right? Or, shit, maybe Xavier hadn’t enjoyed himself and didn’t want to see Finn again. He pushed that idea away. Xavier wasn’t like that, and Finn was pretty sure they’d both enjoyed themselves.

Xavier’s hand came up, fingers brushing Finn’s cheek. “I had a wonderful time today.”

The tension faded away, relief replacing it. Oh, thank fuck. “Me too,” he whispered back. His body swayed into Xavier’s touch without his permission. Xavier’s thumb brushed his bottom lip, and Finn’s heart started pounding.

“Will you do something for me?” Xavier’s other hand skimmed down Finn’s arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

Finn’s eyes dropped to Xavier’s mouth and he forced himself to keep breathing. “Depends,” he managed. He tried to keep his tone lighthearted, but the words came out breathless.

“On?” Xavier asked, amused.

“On what I get if I do.”

Xavier laughed, then startled Finn by swooping down and pressing a quick kiss to his lips. He didn’t pull back all the way, he stayed close, their faces inches apart as Finn went hot and his hands got shaky. He pressed his palms to Xavier’s sides to steady them and discovered that the soft cotton of Xavier’s shirt hid firm muscle. Finn pressed a little harder, just because.

“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you, little one?” Xavier asked, then closed the distance for a longer kiss, one that Finn had enough time to return. Fireworks were going off under his skin and his insides were tight. Xavier’s lips parted and his tongue brushed Finn’s lower lip, making him gasp. Oh. That felt better than he’d expected. Slick and warm. He let Xavier in on the next pass, then couldn’t stop the sound that left him when the tips of their tongues met in a gentle glide.

The kiss ended too soon. Finn’s heart was pounding and his skin, especially the places Xavier had touched, tingled. He wanted more, was almost desperate for Xavier to keep going, but he wasn’t sure how to ask for that without sounding overeager. You were supposed to be low-key about things like first kisses, right?

Xavier’s lips skimmed over his cheek and landed somewhere near his temple as strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him into a hug. Finn pressed his lips together to prevent any more embarrassing sounds from escaping as he hugged back. His head swam and his body buzzed with energy. He couldn’t remember anything ever feeling as good as this. Xavier was so much taller and broader than him, but somehow they fit together, Finn safely tucked into the curve of Xavier’s body. Was it weird that Finn wanted to burrow in close and never let go? Unfortunately, Xavier’s hold loosened a moment later and Finn was forced to step back so he didn’t make things awkward.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.” Xavier’s hand lingered on Finn’s cheek. “I hope you’ll let me.”

Finn bit his lip and nodded, failing to hide his answering grin.

Finn woke to the acrid smell of burning. He was out of bed and down the hall to the kitchen almost before his eyes were all the way open. There. He used a dishtowel to grab the smoking frying pan off the stove and toss it into the sink, swearing when a few drops of bacon grease landed on the back of his hand. He was on his way to the window when the shrill beeping of the smoke detector started. He swerved and, in a practiced move, jumped up and slapped at it until it went silent. It took a moment more to shut off the burner, then shove open the kitchen windows. The smoke didn’t take long to start clearing. Finn collapsed into a chair and tried to calm his racing heart. Fuck.Fuck.

Before he had a chance to breathe, the door at the bottom of the stairs opened. “What thehellis going on up there, Corey?” his grandfather shouted.

Finn squeezed his eyes shut against the sudden burn of tears. It was from the smoke. Really. “Sorry!” he called back. “Forgot the bacon was on the stove.”

His grandfather grumbled something he couldn’t hear, then yelled, “Be more damn careful!” The door slammed shut again, rattling the clock on the wall. It was eight, which meant Pops had only been downstairs for a few minutes. Long enough for the bacon to be black in the pan but not enough to start an actual fire.

Finn hadn’t meant to sleep in, but he’d been up late the last few nights texting with Xavier. He shivered. The cold morning air had cleared the smoke, but it was also invading the warm kitchen. He shut the windows and poured himself a bowl of cereal, not in the mood to cook after all that.

Finn could barely taste the food as he shoveled it down. He was so stupid. He knew better than to sleep in when Pops had his bad days—and with the way he’d been at dinner the night before, Finn should have expected this.

He’d let himself get distracted. It had been Xavier’s request at the end of their date that Finn call him the next day. Tapping Xavier’s icon on his phone had made Finn’s heart beat like crazy, but he’d done it. They’d talked for hours that night, the conversation flowing from topic to topic. When it got late, Xavier had requested another phone call the next night and Finn had eagerly agreed. It had been going on for over a week, even after Xavier left for New York on business. Now, with his cereal sitting heavy in his stomach, Finn couldn’t even remember what they’d been talking about that had kept him up so late, just that Xavier made him laugh and, even when he started yawning, he hadn’t wanted to say goodnight.

He was paying the price for it now. At least he’d be in bed on time tonight. Xavier had to fly to LA, so he’d be on a plane during the time they usually spoke.

Finn abandoned his half-finished bowl in the sink, got dressed, and headed downstairs. The doors weren’t unlocked yet, but it didn’t look like they had any customers waiting. Up at the front, Pops was grumbling at the register, the cash drawer beside him. Finn was about to call a greeting when Pops cursed and banged his fist against the side of it. Finn jumped, then hurried forward.

“Pops? What’s wrong?” he asked as he rounded the counter.

“This damn computer,” Pops bit out. “It’s a piece of junk.” He jabbed at a button with one thick finger. “Why in the hell do we need this when the old one was perfectly good?”

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