Page 22 of A Hard Fit

The elevator dinged and they spilled out into the Breakpoint lobby. Finn’s heart pounded. “Awesome. Do you know Lupine Park? It’s not far from you. We could meet there.”

“Perfect.” Rory stopped, holding onto the strap of their bag and so beautiful it hurt.

“Well, I’ve got to go shower…” Finn said, pointing down the hall in the other direction from Rory’s office.

“Right. I’ll see you in Ilona’s office at nine.”

“You bet.” He turned to head to the bathroom that had a shower and had a quick scrub—more cold water—then stopped by the kitchen to grab a coffee to go with his protein bar.

Luka and Thomas were there, sitting at a table with coffee and a few files, and Luka was so focused on Thomas that he didn’t even notice Finn come in.

He was smiling at something Thomas said—a smile that could melt the remaining polar ice caps. Then he replied, leaning forward and tapping Thomas’ forearm to make a point. Finn studied the way they were sitting, shoulders and hips facing each other, knees tipped together, posture open, eyes bright.

Well damn.Finn grinned as he filled his mug. Looked like he wasn’t the only one losing their shit at work. He tucked that note away for when a time came along to pull it out.

* * * *

As Finn pulled into the parking lot, Rory was waiting, bike propped against a bench. Lupine Park was a linear path dotted with purple flowers that ran along the river from the south end of the city to the harbor. It was busy with people wheeling and walking, enjoying the September sunshine.

Rory looked absolutely adorable in black shorts and a gray T-shirt. They stood smiling when they saw Finn gliding up on his bike.

“Are you surprised that I own running shoes?” they asked once Finn was within earshot.

Finn grinned as he came to a stop. “A little bit, to be honest.” He had his mountain bike today, not a scrap of spandex to be seen, just regular shorts and a T-shirt.

“I think I’ve had them since high school,” Rory said, studying their Nikes.

“They’ll do,” Finn said.

“No spandex for you today, though?” Rory asked. “Glad I didn’t wear mine.” Their eyes twinkled.

Finn laughed. “Not today, I’m afraid.”

They took the path down to the ocean, sharing occasional snatches of conversation when they could ride side by side, until they reached the loop at the end and the blue-gray water of the harbor stretched before them, gulls wheeling, air cool with the salty breeze. They had taken off their helmets and found a bench to settle on when Finn’s phone buzzed. He had already missed it twice when they were riding, but he knew who it was. She’d been calling all weekend.

And Finn had been ignoring her all weekend—she refused to leave a voicemail or text—yet she couldn’t take the hint. Now here she was, ruining his day with Rory.

Pressure built in Finn’s throat as he stared at her name on the screen. “I’m sorry, it’s my sister…again. I’d better answer or she’ll only keep calling.”

“Of course,” Rory said.

Finn stood and took a few steps away. “What?” he snapped when he answered the call.

“Well, fucking hi to you, too.”

Finn watched a wave break on the shore, white and blue, then swallowed by the dark, pebbled sand. “What do you want, Liz?”

“Are you kidding me?” She laughed, as sharp and unforgiving as ever. “That’s how you answer the phone?”

“I do when it’s you.”

“Jesus. Could you be a bigger asshole, Finn?”

He bit back a curse and rubbed his forehead. “As I said, what do you want? I’m busy.”

Her sigh was long and deep, the weight of the world on her poor shoulders. “I talked to Mom.”

“And?” A little girl squealing in the ankle-deep surf drew Finn’s attention. Her mom gripped her hand tight.

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