Page 72 of A Hard Fit

“Jackson,” Rory said, taking Finn’s arm, “this is my partner, Finn.”

Jackson eyed Finn up, and Finn instantly didn’t like him—something about his cold eyes and defiant jaw. He hoped his instinct was wrong.

“Great to finally meet you, Finn,” Jackson said. His grip nearly crushed Finn’s hand.

“You too,” Finn said, doing his best to crush right back.

Their gazes met.You’ll have to squeeze harder than that,Finn thought.

“Grab me another beer, would you, Ro-ro?” Jackson asked. He let go of Finn’s hand and sat next to Griffin on the sectional.

Rory poured mimosas for the two of them, fetched a beer for Jackson then settled on the couch with Finn. Minnie went back to her coloring on the floor.

Jackson crossed his legs and examined Finn. “Now, you two work together, correct? What’s the place called again?”

“Breakpoint Advertising,” Finn supplied.

“Right. So you’re an advertiser?”

“Designer.”

“Ah. And remind me what is it you do there, Rory?”

Griffin scoffed. “What do you think they do, Jackson?”

Rory’s body was laced with tension as they replied to Jackson. “IT.”

Jackson chuckled. “Obviously IT. But what do you actuallydo?”

“A lot of coding for the firm, and our clients. I analyze the—”

Jackson was distracted by his buzzing phone and rolled his eyes at the screen. “Goddamn it, Stanley,” he muttered.

“Language,” tisked Lainey.

Rory faltered, since Jackson was clearly not listening.

“I don’t know, Rory,” Jackson said, tucking his phone away as if Rory hadn’t stopped in the middle of a sentence. “When you’re done messing around, let me know. I’ll hire you back at the plant in a second. God knows you’re better than Stanley anyway.” He laughed, like the room wasn’t ice cold.

What the fuck is this guy’s problem?Finn bit his lip.

“I’m really happy at Breakpoint,” Rory replied, sliding their hand onto Finn’s knee.

“Yeah, sure.” Jackson leaned back, stretching an arm along the back of the couch. “What are they paying you though? Can’t be enough.”

Nope.“What the fuck is your problem?” Finn blurted. “Who asks that?”

Four—no, five—wide pairs of eyes stared at him.

Finn gulped.Whoops.

Chapter Sixteen

Family Tree

Jackson’s face flickered with anger, then his condescending grin was back. He held up his hands in mock surrender. “There’s no problem here, Finn. Rory knows I wish they’d come back to the plant.”

“Finn,” Rory said. “It’s fine.” They shot a nervous glance at Lainey.

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