Page 2 of Something Unforgettable

Finn perked up. He hadn’t heard about that. He loved animals. Unfortunately, he was distracted from Dr. Reid’s reply when a shiver went down his spine. Someone was watching him. A shock of awareness brushed over his skin as he remembered the tall stranger standing nearby. He ducked his head and sipped his drink, taking the man in from the corner of his eye. He was dressed casually, but the fit of his clothes looked expensive. Finn caught a glimpse of dark facial hair before returning his gaze to his drink. He was about to slip away from the group when a tanned hand appeared in front of him.

“Hi,” a deep voice said, sliding over him like the smoothest silk. “We haven’t been introduced. I’m Xavier.”

Finn took the hand automatically, his own nearly disappearing in Xavier’s hold. The handshake was firm but almost careful. As if Xavier was aware of his own size and strength and was doing his best not to be intimidating.

That was ridiculous. Finn was reading too much into it. Still, he couldn’t help but look up, and then up some more when he found his gaze was level with Xavier’s chest, until he met dark brown eyes.

Xavier’s smile widened and his eyes creased at the corners as he gave Finn’s hand an encouraging squeeze. Holy shit. Finn didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone so handsome in real life—Xavier’s dark hair was swept back from his face, revealing the strong planes of his cheekbones and jawline. His dark facial hair was trimmed into a neat goatee, which shouldn’t have been sexy but totally was. Finn couldn’t drag his eyes away.

“I—” Finn cut himself off when his voice cracked, heat creeping up his neck. Jesus Christ. He wasn’t a preteen anymore. Why did his body have to betray him like that? He swallowed. “I’m Finn. Well, my last name is Finnegan. But I go by Finn. Not my first name.” He bit back a groan. Dammit. Why was he such a weirdo? How hard was it to introduce yourself without making a mess of things?

“It’s nice to meet you, Finn,” Xavier said, seemingly unbothered by Finn’s babble or his staring. “Nick’s talked about you.”

Nick? Micah and Ryan’s new boyfriend? Why would he do that? He hardly knew Finn. They’d spoken a handful of times. What had Finn done that bore mentioning? And was it embarrassing?

“Thank you?” he tried. Crap. That was wrong. “I mean, it’s nice to meet you, too?” Why was everything coming out as a question? He dragged his eyes away from Xavier’s and realized their hands were still clasped. He pulled his back quickly and fought not to wipe his damp palm on his thigh.

Xavier chuckled. “Nick said you helped when they were having trouble with his father.” A palm cupped Finn’s shoulder and he froze. “Thank you for that.” Xavier gave his shoulder a quick squeeze. “It means a lot to all of us.”

Finn didn’t know what to do with that. The touch or the thanks. Both were nice and made warmth bloom in his belly, but he was at a loss for the proper reaction. “I didn’t really do anything,” he managed. “Just got in the way.”

“That’s not what Nick said.”

Finn shook his head. “Oh. No. I mean I parked my truck in the way. I blocked the driveway. It was nothing.” His cheeks felt hot and he hid the blush behind a long gulp of his drink.

“Can I get you another drink?” Xavier said, amusement coloring his tone.

Finn wasn’t sure when he’d finished the first one, but he nodded. Anything to put some space between him and Xavier’s gratitude. He really hadn’t done much. Through the veil of his hair, he watched Xavier leave. Wow, the man’s pants did incredible things to his ass. Why couldn’t Finn ever be normal around hot men? He snapped his lingering gaze away and caught Izzy smirking at him with a raised eyebrow. He shook his head quickly, willing Izzy not to say anything. That was the last thing he needed.

Finn accepted the second drink with a thank-you when Xavier returned, then retreated to the edge of the deck to check his phone. Today’s Wordle would make him look busy until they sat down to eat. Then Finn would have food to hide behind. In the meantime, he’d just try to act natural.

Luckily, Xavier returned to his conversation with Maggie and the sheriff and Finn let out a breath. That wasn’t so bad. He hadn’t made too much of a fool of himself. As least, he didn’t think so.

When Micah and Nick finally joined them a few minutes later, their cheeks were flushed and Micah’s hair was mussed. Finn hid his amusement when Micah grinned at him and waved. It wasn’t hard to guess what they’d been doing in the house for so long.

As everyone filled their plates and started to the table, Finn hesitated, unsure where to sit. Then Dr. Reid waved him over. He settled into the wooden chair with his plate, grateful for the easy solution.

Food made things easier; no one expected him to hold up his end of a conversation if he was eating. He blamed the food for why he didn’t realize that Xavier of all people had taken the seat next to him. Yay. More awkward conversation. He shoved a bite of potato salad into his mouth to forestall it. Oh, wow. That was good. There were juicy burgers, too, and corn on the cob. All perfect things for an early-fall barbecue. He let the conversation flow over his head while he ate. Dr. Reid was asking Archer about a horse he’d been out to see the week before. Xavier spoke to Finn a few times over the course of the meal, but Finn couldn’t have told anyone what he said or what Finn’s responses had been. He just hoped he’d used real words.

After dinner they settled around the fire pit and somehow Xavier was next to him again. Across the fire, Micah was curled in Nick’s lap with Ryan next to them, his arm around Nick’s shoulders. Finn shivered despite the heat of the flames. What would it feel like to be so close to another person that you could just crawl into their space and be held? The only person he had even a hint of that with was Ev, and their friendship would never be romantic. Their tastes were too similar.

Some of Finn’s tension had seeped away during dinner—probably due to whatever Izzy, and then Xavier, had mixed up for him. He’d stopped drinking after the second one because he had to drive home, but the two drinks had done their job. Unfortunately, they’d also made him a little introspective. He wished Ev was here, then he’d have someone to cuddle, too. But no, his best friend had to live in freakingChicago. Finn hated Chicago. And not only because it was more than six hundred miles away. He’d gone to college there. Meeting Ev had been the only good part about that.

Xavier leaned his elbow on the wide arm of his Adirondack chair, putting him close enough for Finn to get a whiff of his cologne. It was subtle but smelled nice. Masculine. Finn barely stopped himself from shifting closer to get more of it. To maybe get that arm around his shoulders.

God, he was so awkward. He eased away instead.

“Any thoughts on how to get out of here early without having to dodge Micah’s puppy eyes?” Xavier said, low enough that he had to be talking to Finn.

Finn looked up in surprise and caught the laughter in Xavier’s eyes. “Um. I was going to go soon. I have to work early.”

“Perfect. I’ll walk you to your car and sneak out after you.” Xavier winked. “I think I’ll go into a sugar coma if I hang around those three for much longer.”

Amusement bubbled up inside Finn and he laughed. Who would have thought someone as self-assured as Xavier would be as eager to escape the cuddle fest going on across the fire as he was?

Xavier’s gaze warmed and Finn’s laughter trailed off. He felt caught. For once in his life unable to avert his eyes.

“Come on.” Xavier climbed to his feet and held out a hand that Finn took automatically. Xavier tugged him from the chair and then let him go when he was standing.

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