Page 116 of A Hard Fit

Finn sat back in his chair, hands on Rory’s knees. “We can go get our marriage license and rings at lunch.”

“What about Luka and Thomas as witnesses?” Rory suggested. “And we all have dinner after? Ooh, I can call Dimitri and see if he can get us in atL'Empereur.”

“Great idea. And you know what would be so fun?” Finn said, as another idea occurred to him. “If we surprised them. Like, let’s ask if they’re free for dinner after work, then, boom! We’re at City Hall.”

Rory laughed. “That would be fun.” Their gaze met Finn’s. “I can’t wait to be married to you.”

“Oh, my love.” Finn kissed them, lips soft and lingering. “Same.”

* * * *

“Okay. Be cool,” Finn told Rory. They stood outside Luka and Thomas’ office, hand in hand.

“You want me to be cool?” Rory snickered. “You be cool! You’ve got cat that ate the canary going on.”

Finn giggled.Giggled?“Okay, you’re right. You’re right.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve got this.” They had called City Hall the moment it had opened that morning and confirmed that they could indeed apply for a marriage license during their lunch break. One of the officiants had agreed to stay late and perform a ceremony for them at five-thirty. “Here we go.”

They barged in, Finn smiling a normal amount.

Luka and Thomas were hard at work, each engrossed in their screen. Luka looked up and raised an eyebrow at them. “Uh, what’s with you two?”

“Are you two free this evening?” Finn asked, sneaking a glance at Rory.“We’d like to take you to dinner.”

Luke narrowed his eyes. “I’m free…but what are you up to?”

“Nothing!” Rory insisted, beaming.

Finn tried not to laugh.

Luka and Thomas shared a look.

“Hmm,” Thomas grunted. “I am also free and suspicious.”

“Great!” Finn chirped. “We’ll meet you back here at five.”

“Where are we going?” Luka asked.

“We were thinking”—No big deal, Finn—“L’Empereur.”

Luka whistled. “So you’re taking us to the fanciest place in town on a Monday for no reason whatsoever? Sounds normal.”

“My cousin works there—remember Dimitri, the one I mentioned at Thanksgiving?—and I told him to call me when they had a cancellation. Can’t a happy couple take their friends out to dinner on a whim?” Rory asked, eyes wide.

“Not this couple.” Luka gave them a wry look. “I’ll be on my toes tonight.”

Once the door closed behind them, Finn sagged with relief. “That went well.”

Rory high-fived him. “They didn’t suspect a thing.”

* * * *

“What kind of ring do you want?” Finn asked Rory, standing over a display case of wedding bands. They had snuck out for an early lunch and taken a train downtown, fingers laced tight together, laughing at nothing in particular and blissfully unaware of the world around them.

“Something simple,” Rory said, examining a section of white gold bands. “Ooh, look at these.” One tray featured bands of varying thicknesses, all with subtle designs engraved upon them.

“Could we see this tray, please?” Rory asked the nearby employee.

“Of course.” The man unlocked the cabinet and whisked the tray out.

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