Page 82 of A Hard Fit

“Rory!” Finn whispered, chasing after them.Fuck.

They stopped in the center of the circle. “May I speak with you, Jackson?” Rory’s voice crackled with barely contained rage.

“Uh…” Jackson cranked an eyebrow up. “I’m in the middle of—”

“Did you actually,for real, tell Finn that he’s not good enough for me?”

Jonathan and Uncle Alfie—or was it George?—shrank into their collars, eyes wide.

Jackson’s gaze flicked to Finn’s for a moment, who had come to stand behind Rory’s shoulder. Then he frowned and looked back at Rory. “Absolutely not. I never said—”

“Oh, spare me thebullshit,” Rory spat. “Whatever fucking words you used, did you make Finn feel lesser because of how muchmoneywe have?”

“I…” Jackson sputtered. “No, I—look, however Finn felt—”

“Fuckinghell, Jackson. You are the most disgusting, spoiled—”

“Rory!” Lainey appeared at Rory’s side, literally clutching her pearls. “What on earth…?”

Rory shook their head. “I’m sorry, Mom. I really am. I know it’s your birthday. But I can’t evenlookat Jackson right now. I will not sit at the same table as him.”

Finn’s heart soared.

Jackson rolled his eyes. “Give me a break, Rory. You don’t have to be so—”

“So what, Jackson?” Rory whirled on him, eyes blazing. Finn had never seen Rory so pissed, not even close. It was kind of hot. “Sowhat? Please tell me.”

The whole room had fallen silent. Even the waitstaff had stilled, gripping their trays. Now was not the time to be offering stuffed mushrooms.

“So”—Jackon’s jaw flapped—“uptight about it. I only said what Finn already knows.” He drew his shoulders up. “Now quit making a scene and go sit at the table like an adult.”

Rory rocked back on their heels. “Right.” They turned to Lainey. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I need to leave. I hope you have a wonderful night but I can’t be here. Let’s go.” Rory took Finn’s hand, then they collected their coats from the rack and fled.

The sound of Griffin laughing followed them out into the snow.

Finn could barely keep up with Rory as they marched back to their car.

“Rory…” Finn breathed. “Hang on a second…”

Rory screeched to a halt and turned to face Finn. Their eyes were wet and blacker than the night.

“I…” Finn took hold of Rory’s hands. “I love you so fucking much, Rory.”

Rory’s eyelashes fluttered as they blinked back tears. “I love you too.”

They turned to continue walking, holding hands. “I’m sorry about dinner,” Finn said after a few steps, muffled in the fresh snow.

“Fuck dinner. Fuck Jackson.” Rory glanced up at Finn. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I know…” Finn ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to cause any drama.”

Rory snorted. “Fair. That was pretty dramatic.”

“Is your mom going to be mad?” Finn asked after a few more steps.

Rory groaned. “Probably.” They stopped again, looking up at a restaurant front. “This place has the best poutine. You hungry?”

Finn smiled and gave Rory a soft kiss. “Starving.”

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