Page 3 of Something Unforgettable

Finn closed his fingers around the lingering heat, his palm tingling from the contact. He didn’t really pay attention to Xavier making their excuses, but he managed to be normal enough to thank Micah for inviting him and Maggie for hosting. He got a warm mom-hug from Maggie and an offer to join them any time.

Before he knew it, they were on the other side of the house and Xavier was standing next to him as he climbed into his truck.

“It was great to meet you finally, Finn.”

Finn settled in the seat, relief sweeping up from his toes. He’d done it. And without being too weird. Maggie had even invited him back. He was totally going to call Ev and tell him as soon as he got home. Xavier was still waiting for his response, watching him with a small smile. “Oh, um. Likewise,” he said.

Xavier closed the truck door for him but left his hands on the open window frame. “I’m in town for a few more days. Would you like to get dinner before I go?”

Finn froze. Dinner? “Alone?” he squeaked, then coughed, heat flooding his face.Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Xavier chuckled and Finn wanted to crawl into the footwell. God, what was wrong with him?

“I’d like to get to know you better,” Xavier said. “I hear there are some excellent restaurants in town.”

Finn’s heart started hammering, and not in a good way. In an “I’m going to vomit” way. He couldn’t go out with Xavier. He just—he couldn’t.

“I—I have a boyfriend,” he stammered out, hands shaking on the wheel.

“Oh.” The warmth left Xavier’s eyes to be replaced by what Finn could only call disappointment. “I shouldn’t have assumed. My apologies.”

Finn fumbled for the keys and started the engine, thankfully on the first try. “No, no. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have…” he trailed off, not sure what he could have done differently. He needed to go. Before his pounding heart made it hard to breathe.

He shoved the truck into reverse and Xavier stepped back, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Have a good night, Finn.”

Finn kept his eyes on the wheel and gave a quick nod, then got out of there as fast as he could without breaking any laws.

Maybe he wouldn’t be calling Ev after all. Not to brag, anyway.

He made it halfway down the main road before he had to pull over and take deep, calming breaths.What the fuck, Finn. A boyfriend?All Xavier needed to do was mention that to Micah and everyone would know he was just a great big awkward liar.

Shit.

“Xavier,right?”Thebartenderslid a cocktail napkin across the glossy wood toward Xavier, then set a dark brown bottle on top of it. A glance proved it was the same beer he’d enjoyed during one of his previous visits. He’d visited a lot over the past year.

Xavier inclined his head in agreement and smiled. “Thank you.” He picked up the beer and took a sip. Just as smooth and rich as he remembered. “And you’re—” he flipped quickly through his mental Rolodex. “Hunter. Good to see you again.”

Hunter smiled back. “Likewise.”

If Xavier remembered correctly, Hunter was the owner of The Lookout, as well as one of the bartenders. Being recognized wasn’t a rarity for Xavier—he was important enough in some circles that it could be an annoyance—but in this case it was enjoyable. Small towns were something special. Tonight’s context didn’t hurt, either. Nick, Micah, and Ryan’s anniversary party had been gearing up over the last half hour. It seemed as if half the town—well, at least the ones old enough—had come out to celebrate Xavier’s friends.

Nick was near the door, shaking hands. Xavier smiled. Nick might have thought himself the prodigal son of Split Rock, but he’d been welcomed back eagerly by the residents who remembered the child he used to be. Within weeks of starting a relationship with Micah and Ryan, he’d been hired to replace the former—incompetent—town manager. That Nick was in a relationship with two men, and a married couple at that, raised some eyebrows at first, but most people seemed to accept that it had nothing to do with them. It helped that everyone adored Micah, Nick’s younger partner and the son of the longtime sheriff.

One day, Xavier had overheard a conversation between two women at a gas pump. They’d watched Nick enter the store but hadn’t noticed Xavier. After some gossip and speculation, one had told the other that Micah knew what he wanted from a young age and there had never been any changing his mind. Xavier had to bite back his smile when they said they hoped Nick and Ryan knew what they’d gotten into.

Speaking of Ryan, he met Nick at the door and threw an arm around his shoulders, hauling him close. Nick smiled and tilted his head for a kiss. It set off a strange reaction in Xavier’s chest. Not jealousy. He and Nick would never be more than best friends—even their four years of marriage hadn’t changed that—more a sense of, “I want that too.”

Xavier was built for relationships, and yet he had the worst luck with men. He’d sent his last boyfriend on his way after learning the man was only with him for his money. He’d suspected, of course, but having it confirmed had still been painful. The one before that had been more interested in his connections than in Xavier himself. Xavier was starting to believe the type of man he was drawn to might be the problem.

He liked sassy boys. The ones who lit up the room with their energy. At the same time, he was a caretaker at heart, and was drawn to people he could help. The two things may as well have been mutually exclusive.

He shook off his thoughts before they dragged his mood down further. This was a party, and if he got caught feeling sorry for himself—

“Xavier!”

He turned toward Micah’s voice but didn’t see him. Then he did. Micah shoved his way past two men waiting for drinks and landed against the bar, grinning up at Xavier. His best friend, Archer, trailed in his wake with an amused curl pulling at his lips. Archer was a good-looking man. Xavier could have seen him and Micah together if Micah hadn’t fallen for the much older Ryan—and if Archer wasn’t straight.

Micah grabbed his arm. “Did you sign up?”

---