Page 24 of A Hard Fit

Then they pulled away. “Thank you for another fun day, Finn.”

The electricity humming through his veins was interrupted by his phone buzzing in his pocket again. “Thankyou.”

Rory looked like they had something else to say, but they put their helmet back on, climbed onto their bike, waved then peddled away.

Finn ignored his buzzing phone, insignificant next to his pounding heart.

Chapter Six

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There was no getting around it.

Finn wanted Rory.

Craved them. Was, honestly, a bit obsessed with them. Whether he was fiddling with fonts, brushing paint across a canvas, rattling in plastic seats on the train, working up a sweat in the gym or working up a sweat in other ways, Rory was never far from the forefront of his brain.

But it was a ridiculous idea. Obviously. The two of them were nothing alike, and hitting on Rory, putting them in a position where they had to reject a coworker, could only lead to hurt feelings and a painful work environment. Thrill Island? More like Curl Up and Die-land.

But still.

Rory.

Maybe it was okay if this feeling sat in his heart a while. He didn’t have todoanything about it. It would just be a…respectful infatuation. Subtle. Contained, and quickly, before anyone else figured it out.

He needed to talk to Luka.

Finn’s leg bounced under his desk all morning, but he avoided bugging his friend until it was almost lunch time. When he reached to open Luka’s office door, it swung wide and he nearly collided with Thomas who was striding out.

“Excuse me,” Thomas muttered.

“No problem.” Finn scooted in and shut the door in Thomas’ face.

“Finn!” Luka seemed flustered, cheeks pink.

“What?” He dropped into his chair. It was the temperature of Thomas’ ass.Blech.

Luka’s brow furrowed. “That was rude.”

“Nah.” Finn leaned back, running his hands through his hair. “Thomas is a busy, important man, places to be. He’s already forgotten it.” His brain whirred, trying to find the words he could say to Luka about the mess swirling inside.

Luka continued. “I just don’t know if closing the door in the new VP’s face is really the best move.”

Finn scratched his beard. It wasn’t that he really thought Luka would blab to anyone, but what if he was too obvious around Rory with his winks and nudges? What if he actuallysaidsomething to Rory, thinking he was doing Finn a favor? Finn’s insides contorted themselves imagining it. Rory would try to be nice when faced with Finn’s crush, of course, since they were so sweet, but—

“Can I help you?” Luka asked in the lengthening silence.

“Look.” Finn scrubbed his face and plunged in. “About…Rory.” His cheeks burned, giving him away yet again.

Luka fought a smile. “Yes?”

“I’m not—It’s…” He took a deep breath and smoothed his trousers, then looked up at Luka. “You won’t say anything, will you?”

Luka softened. “No. But if you really feel that way, you should.”

Finn scoffed. “What would Rory ever want with me? They’re so…gentle and quiet and sweet, and I…” He trailed off.I’m none of those things.Then he realized Luka was watching him, all smug and shit, and scowled again. “Anyway, like you’re one to talk.”

“What does that mean?” Luka’s voice climbed, fingers jumping to fiddle with a stack of papers.

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