Page 50 of A Hard Fit

Work was better, too, getting to spend so much time with Rory on the Thrill Island project. It was fun seeing their vision become a reality. The park had closed for the season now, the remodel was underway and Finn’s attention had shifted to the marketing campaign. Markos’ emails were a little like his personality—sort of in his face, although friendly—but so far, all was on track.

The weird blip with Luka and Thomas seemed to have passed as well. Luka didn’t mention it again, and Finn was glad to see them back to Obviously Totally Into Each Other But in Denial About It territory. The four of them had lunch together one day, and the cuteness factor was through the roof.

Luka was telling them about their near-disaster commercial shoot in his dramatic Luka way—no heat in the building, the wrong furniture was delivered and there was some mix-up at the agency and half the extras didn’t show up.

“I was totally panicking,” Luka said, turning to beam at Thomas. “But Thomas kept it all together. He fully saved the day.”

“Wesaved the day,” Thomas corrected. “You were right there with me.”

Luka’s smile only grew. “And they put us in the commercial, like we were on a date. Can you imagine!” His laugh was music. “Anyway, the whole thing ended up being a total triumph. I even convinced Thomas to eat some ice cream after in celebration, six-pack be damned.”

Finn shared a look with Rory. “Sounds like you two had a great time.”

Life continued on that way, until one mid-November night on the couch.

“So… Thanksgiving is coming up,” Rory said, once they had finished their salmon and rice.

The holiday was barely on Finn’s radar, since he had no family around to celebrate with. He’d had a few dinners with Luka over the years, but last year Luka had traveled to Andchester to see his parents, so Finn had ordered pizza and watched an action movie marathon by himself.

“My family does the whole thing on the Thursday,” Rory continued. “Dinner starts at one o’clock, everyone is there—aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone.” They fiddled with their napkin. “And, I mean, you’re totally invited, but…it might be a lot to meet my entire family at Thanksgiving for the first time, you know?”

To be honest, the idea of meeting Rory’s huge family even in small doses was terrifying. He was not good at families. “Yeah, no, that’s fine. That would be…a lot.”

“But why don’t we cook a Thanksgiving dinner for ourselves, too?” Rory said, sitting up excitedly. “On the Saturday. We could even invite Luka, if he’s available. Ooh, and Thomas! He doesn’t have any family here either. Or anyone else at the office who needs somewhere to go.”

“That’s a great idea.” Finn leaned over to give Rory a kiss.Phew. Family gathering avoided. He’d have to meet Rory’s family eventually, though. He’d sort of forgotten about that part.

He’d mostly forgotten about his own family too, aside from a few idle wonderings here and there about how Liz’s divorce was going. Then, a few nights later, his phone buzzed.

He stared at his sister’s name.

“Are you going to answer that?” Rory asked gently.

“No,” Finn said, thumb hovering over the answer button.

“I know things with her are shitty,” Rory said, rubbing Finn’s knee, “and it’s totally your choice. But I don’t think it’ll ever get better unless you talk to her.”

Finn took a deep breath and answered the call. “Hi, Liz.”

“Well, hello, baby brother. How are you?”

“I’m fine.” He studied Rory’s calm, encouraging face. “How are things with you?”

She let out a humorless chuckle. “They’re shit. They’re absolute shit, Finn.”

“Neil’s being a prick?”

“You wouldn’t believe. Him and the fucking lawyers.”

Rory squeezed his knee. Finn plunged on. “How are Cali and Bryson doing?”

“It’s been really hard on them, of course. All the mind games Neil is playing. That’s sort of why I’m calling, actually.”

Here it is.Of course. Every fucking time.Finn had tried to help her out where he could over the years, but he was tapped out. It never went well, and it was somehow always his fault. He rubbed his forehead, waiting for the latest ask. “And?”

She sighed. “And I was wondering if maybe they could come stay with you for Thanksgiving?”

Finn’s hand dropped to his lap. “What?”

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