“So you’re offering to step in. To save the event.”
Finn nodded, hope flickering. “I could do the signing, the Q&A, whatever you need?—”
“Rhett Wilder making his first public appearance,” Ollie finished. He laughed, short and disbelieving. “Do you have any idea how big that would be?”
“I hadn’t thought?—”
“Of course you hadn’t.” There was less bite in Ollie’s tone now. “Because you’ve been so focused on keeping it secret.” He shook his head, a hint of his usual humor breaking through. “The irony isn’t lost on me.”
Finn felt cautious relief at the shift. “The truth is going to come out next month, one way or another, and I’d rather do it on my own terms. TheSmall Town Secretsseries is up for a GoldenHeart Award, and my agent’s been pushing me to attend. I don’t want the first time the world sees my face to be at a stuffy awards ceremony in Chicago. I want it to be here, with you. Now that I’m coming clean, I want to be surrounded by my friends and family, who will cuff me upside the head for blowing things out of proportion to the point it could cost me one of the greatest things that’s ever happened to me. What do you think?”
Ollie studied him with an intensity that made Finn want to look away. “You haven’t ruined us, but I need time,” he said finally. “This is a lot to process. Finding out the man I love is actually an author I’ve admired for years…”
Love.In the present tense. The word sent hope surging through Finn’s chest.
“I understand,” he said.
Ollie’s gaze drifted to the romance section, where Rhett Wilder’s books were prominently displayed. “For what it’s worth,” he said quietly, “at least this way you know I’m here because of you, not Rhett.”
The acknowledgment, offered despite the hurt, made Finn’s throat tight. “Even if you’d known from the start, I wouldn’t have doubted you. You’re too sincere for that.”
Awkward silence settled between them. Finn knew he should leave, give Ollie space, but fear kept him rooted—the terror that walking away now might mean things would never be the same.
“I should go,” he said finally. “Let you think. But, Ollie…” He hesitated. “I’m still me. This doesn’t change that.”
Ollie’s smile was sad. “That’s the thing, Finn. Itdoeschange things. Not because you’re my favorite author—that’s amazing.But because you didn’t trust me enough to tell me.” He looked away. “I’m not mad at you, but I need some time to process all of this.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, the words painfully inadequate. “For what it’s worth, I was planning to tell you today anyway. Before I knew about the event.”
Surprise flickered across Ollie’s face. “Why today?”
“I told Brooklyn last night. She helped me see I needed to be honest with you.”
A small smile tugged at Ollie’s mouth. “Smart kid.”
“Not sure where she gets that from,” Finn scoffed. He sure as hell felt like the world’s biggest idiot right now.
Ollie’s unexpected laugh eased some tension. “Liar.”
Finn smiled, grateful for the moment of lightness. “The offer stands,” he said, moving toward the door. “For the event. No pressure.”
“I’ll think about it,” Ollie said.
At the door, Ollie’s voice stopped him. “Finn?”
He looked back, hope flaring. “Yeah?”
“Thank you. For telling me the truth. Even if it took you way too long.”
Outside, Finn paused on the sidewalk, looking back through the window. Ollie stood behind the counter, his gaze fixed on the romance section where Rhett Wilder’s books caught the afternoon light.
The secret was out. The truth was spoken. Now all Finn could do was wait and hope that what they’d built together was strong enough to survive his revelation.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, startling him from his thoughts. Finn pulled it out, his stomach dropping when he saw Holly’s name on the screen. For a moment, he considered letting it go to voicemail. After the conversation with Ollie, he had nothing left to give. But old habits die hard.
“Hey, Holly,” he answered, his voice rougher than he intended.
“Finn! Thank god I caught you.” Her voice was bright, slightly breathless, with the familiar background noise that told him she was multitasking. “I’m not catching you at a bad time, am I?”
