It was homey, warm, all plush furniture and photographs, not bare and artsy the way Teddy kept things. As he moved past the mantelpiece, he noticed it was filled with photographs from Rose and Blaise’s wedding from about five or so years ago, he’d guess, mostly just the two of them, their wedding party, and close friends and family.
Which included Finn, very handsome in a tux. In several photos, there was another man with him, usually touching him, or Finn was hanging on to his arm. That had to be his boyfriend—now ex.
Oliver.
Teddy could admit the man was attractive. Built. Blond. Steely. Like an underwear model. But then, Finn was equally as attractive in Teddy’s mind, if more lean than obvious muscle. Oliver had a look to him like he wasn’t comfortable smiling, like his natural state was surly, next to Finn’s blinding jubilance, preferring anonymity to goofing off in front of the camera.
Maybe Finn had a type.
Teddy couldn’t help but notice that Finn seemed happier in photos with just Rose and Blaise, though, or with other friends, always more strained when he was next to Oliver, like he’d already known back then that it wasn’t a relationship he wanted to last forever.
A returning ex wasn’t what Teddy had to worry about, but he had plenty of other things standing in his way.
“Maybe I am mad!” Finn’s voice carried from the kitchen.
Through the dining room, the door kept out any sound, but now Teddy stood around the other side at the end of the living room and paused to listen.
“You didn’t even warn me.”
“You left me little choice with how you were brooding the past few days,” Rose said. “Why ruin things with Teddy before they’ve even started? You were so happy—”
“I can’t, Rose. Not now. I shouldn’t have gone after him at all. I don’t even know him that well.”
“Finn Archer, you said you had more chemistry with Teddy the first day you met than you ever felt with Oliver. Is that feeling gone?”
“No,” Finn said quietly.
“Then stop being an idiot.”
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why? Because he saw the real you?”
“What if he’s just being nice?” Finn echoed what Teddy had been worried about far too many times lately.
“He didn’t come to dinner just to be nice, Finn.”
The pause that followed allowed Teddy to relax against the wall, a smile tugging at his lips with the rekindling of hope.
“I’m not always a ray of sunshine,” Finn grumbled.
“So? Who is? Who needs to be? Stop being such a hypocrite.”
“I am being a hypocrite, aren’t I?”
“Yep.”
“I’m doing exactly what I said I wouldn’t when I moved here.”
“Yep.”
Teddy grinned at the clipped way Rose answered and understood why she and Erina had gotten along so well.
“It was easier chasing Teddy when he kept playing hard to get. Stupid, I know, but now he’s chasing me, even after seeing me like that, and I… I am freaking myself out. I am so lame.”
“No.” Rose giggled. “Well, yes. But all that matters is do you like him?”
Teddy’s heart fluttered like when Finn had grasped his hand in the kitchen.
