Page 81 of A Hard Fit

Finn changed his outfit three times, stomach in knots. First, he put on his favorite dress shirt—a soft, long-sleeved navy—then he changed into his most expensive shirt—a designer label he’d gotten at an outlet—then thoughtfuck thatand changed back into his favorite.

“I love that color on you,” Rory said when they saw Finn getting ready.

“Thanks,” Finn said, smoothing curl cream through his hair.

Rory leaned against the bathroom door frame. “Do you want to drive or get a cab? This place has some really amazing wine…”

“I’ll drive,” Finn said. He wanted to keep his wits about him if Jackson was going to be there.

The Barretts had bought out an entire restaurant in Little Italy for Lainey’s birthday.Of course, Finn thought when he saw theClosed for a private functionsign in the window.

A host greeted them and took their coats, and a server offered a glass of champagne from a tray.

Suddenly Finn really wanted a beer. One or two drinks early in the night wouldn’t hurt.

“Do you have anything else?” Finn asked her.

“Of course, sir,” the woman replied. “The menu is posted by the bar.”

Finn collected a pint, then he and Rory joined the crowd milling around for drinks and appetizers. It was a relief to find the friendly smiles of Steffie and Mikala in the sea of faces.

“No kids tonight?” Finn asked them.

“Nope! Night out for the moms!” Steffie said gleefully, tapping her glass with Mikala’s.

Mikala began a story about the trouble they had finding a babysitter, but Finn didn’t hear it, because Jackson walked by. Finn started sweating.

An aunt joined their circle, and once Steffie and Mikala were engaged with her, Rory leaned over to murmur in Finn’s ear.

“Is everything okay?” they asked. “You flinched like you took a punch when Jackson appeared.”

“Fine,” Finn said, avoiding Rory’s eyes and taking a long pull of his beer.

“Finn.” Rory took Finn’s elbow and steered him into a more private corner, then trained their earnest gaze on him. “It’s me. What’s going on? Is this still about Jackon’s money comment?”

Finn laughed, a dry humorless chuckle. “You could say that.”

“I thought we sorted this out. He’s just obsessed with work.”

“It’s not that, Rory, it’s—” Finn paused and bit his lip.

“Would you just tell me?”

Finn sighed. “I’d rather not. It’ll cause problems.”

Rory folded their arms. “Well, now you have to tell me. I’m starting to get worried.”

“Ugh.” Finn rubbed his forehead. “Okay. Remember on Christmas when I went to the washroom and you told me to go down to the one by the laundry room? I ran into Jackson…”

“And?”

“And…he told me I wasn’t good enough for you.”

“He what?” Rory’s eyes flashed. “He fuckingwhat? Tell meexactlywhat he said.”

Finn recounted the conversation, forcing out the phrase that still haunted him,‘It’s cute that you tried.’

“Oh. Ohfuckno.” Rory slammed their drink down on a table, spun on their heel and marched straight over to Jackson, who was engaged in conversation with Jonathan and one of Rory’s uncles.

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