Page 42 of A Hard Fit

Every time Finn turned around, Thomas and Luka were there, too. Huddled together, leaning over to talk into the other’s ear, laughing, meaningful glances shared, seemingly a couple in all ways but officially.

“How much longer can they drag this out?” Finn wondered, watching Luka and Thomas through the pass-through window as he added more carrots to the veggie platter. “It’s so obvious they like each other.”

Rory cleared their throat from their spot at the counter next to Finn. “Maybe it’s not obvious to them.”

“Maybe, but…look at them.” Luka and Thomas were mere inches apart, eyes locked and gleaming, faces wide open and smiling. When Luka tipped his head back to laugh, Finn could read Thomas’ desire from across the living room.

There was no reply from Rory aside from the rhythmicchop, chop, chopas they cut up a red pepper. “So…do you think Maverick and Goose ever hooked up?” Rory asked, breaking the silence.

Finn looked over at Rory, who had paused their chopping. They put down their knife and turned, leaning a hip against the counter and waiting for Finn’s answer.

Finn’s stomach twisted into a knot, the electricity between them crackling.Is this…?“Oh, for sure,” he scratched out. “Please, you could cut the sexual tension with a knife between those two.”

A spark flickered in Rory’s eyes. “Which one would have made the first move, do you think?” They took a half step closer.

“Goose, obviously.” Finn's throat threatened to close, the room suddenly oppressively hot.Run, his brain stem told him. “I just need to grab a drink…” And he turned and bolted from the kitchen. He found Luka digging through the cooler, finally without Thomas. Finn threw his arm around Luka’s shoulders and gripped his anchor. “Luka!” he hissed.

“Buddy,” said Luka, endlessly patient. “What’s up?”

“Umm…” Finn looked around the room to make sure no one was listening, then leaned to whisper into Luka's ear. “I think Rory might like me.”

“You don’t say?” Luka smothered a laugh. “What happened?”

“Well, we were in the kitchen talking, and they asked me, out of nowhere, if I thought Maverick and Goose ever hooked up.”

“And what did you say?”

“I said for sure, and then they asked which one I thought would have made the first move.” Finn raked a hand through his hair.

“Goose, obviously.”

“Right.”

“So? What did they say to that?”

“Well, then I came out here.”

Luka blinked at him. “And they’re just waiting in there still?

“Yeah.”

“Get back in there, youabsolute moron. Go fucking kiss them.” Luka shoved Finn in the direction of the kitchen. “Now,” he added before Finn could protest.

Go fucking kiss them.Finn stumbled back into the kitchen, thoughts an indecipherable blur. Rory hadn’t moved. Their beautiful dark eyes widened as Finn stopped in front of them.

Go fucking kiss them.“Actually…” Finn cleared this throat. “I think Maverick could have made the first move.”

Rory let the words hang in the air, a slow smile spreading across their face. Finn pushed his hair back. Then he took a step forward, closing the distance.

And he kissed Rory.

He fucking kissed them.

Chapter Ten

And Then

Rory’s lips were even softer than Finn had imagined. They sighed into the kiss and slid their long fingers into Finn’s hair like it was their sole purpose in life—like they’d been waiting to explore that territory since the minute they’d met.

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