“I’m not mad at you, but I want to understand why,” Ollie continued, his voice gentler now. “Not why you didn’t tell mesooner, but why you’re ready to come out of hiding now. I know what you said yesterday, but is that the only reason?”
“I’m ready for the world to see me. For people in my real life to know who I really am. When I started writing, it was because I knew I wasn’t straight, but I couldn’tdoanything about it. I was convinced no one would love me exactly as I am with a kid in tow. The stories became a way for me to live out fantasies that would never become reality.” Finn’s voice grew steadier, more certain. “And then the books found readers, and suddenly, there was this expectation that Rhett Wilder was this confident, sexy author who had it all figured out.”
“In a lot of ways, that’s exactly who you are,” Ollie said softly, understanding dawning in his eyes. “But you couldn’t show that to anyone, could you?”
“Exactly. Because I’m also the guy who constantly worries about doing anything to upset Brooklyn’s world.” Finn met his gaze directly. “And I sure as hell don’t have everything figured out. If I did, I would have told you so much sooner. I wanted to, I swear. It was so hard, but I convinced myself things would never work if you knew I was him.”
Ollie leaned forward slightly, his voice carrying a warmth that made Finn’s chest tight. “You worried I’d compare the man I know to the person capable of writing those books?”
“Didn’t you? At least a little?” The question came out vulnerable, raw. “Even before you knew I was him, you can’t deny you had a crush on the mysterious author, the guy who writes these beautiful love stories?—”
“Maybe, but you’re so much more than him,” Ollie interrupted gently. “Who remembers that I hate crowds but loves watchingme get excited about new book releases? Who took so much care when helping me inventory everything after the leak, when most people would have written everything off as a loss and tossed them around?” He paused, his smile soft and real. “I fell for you, Finn. All of you. I just didn’t know how much of you there was to love.”
The admission hung between them, honest and raw. Ollie was quiet for a moment, his gaze dropping to the papers scattered across his desk. “You love me?”
“Of course I do,” Ollie scoffed. “How could I not? You’re so much more than I ever dreamed of. I just wish you could see what I see in you.”
“I love you too,” Finn admitted. Saying the words felt like a weight lifted off his chest. “And I promise there are no other secrets. I’m sorry I kept this from you for so long.”
“You almost told me before, didn’t you?” he said finally. “That day with Mrs. Abelman, when she bought three copies ofHearts in Hiding?”
Finn’s breath caught. “How did you?—”
“You got this look on your face. Like you wanted to say something but couldn’t.” Ollie’s voice was soft, understanding. “I wondered about it afterward. But in all the scenarios I ran through my mind, I have to admit you being the author never popped up.”
“Yeah, I almost told you then.” Finn met his gaze, vulnerability written across his features. “But it felt safer, hearing you talk about the books like I was invisible. Like Rhett Wilder was this separate person you admired from a distance.”
“But I wasn’t admiring him from a distance,” Ollie pointed out. “I was standing right next to him.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of honesty settling between them like something fragile and precious. Finally, Ollie leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.
“I think your offer to do the event, to step into the spotlight you’ve been avoiding, means something. I know it’s not easy for you to let people get to know this side of you, but I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you’re accepted for the brilliant man you are.”
“You have no idea how much that means to me,” Finn said, the words barely above a whisper. “I’m tired of hiding. Tired of keeping parts of myself locked away.”
Ollie studied him for a long moment, something shifting in his expression—not forgiveness, not yet, but a softening. A possibility. “Okay. Let’s do it. Rhett Wilder is now the headlining author for the romance showcase.”
Relief flooded through Finn’s chest, so intense it was almost dizzying. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Ollie’s smile was tentative but real. “Not because it fixes everything between us—we still have work to do there. But because it’s right for the store, and because I selfishly want to be part of this huge moment for you.”
“Thank you,” Finn said, meaning it more than he could express.
“Don’t thank me yet,” Ollie said, standing and gathering the papers on his desk. “We have less than a week to pull this together. Rhett Wilder’s first public appearance is going to be huge, and we need to be ready for it. To start with, tell Brooklynshe needs to bring her camera down here after school. We don’t have time to waste before spreading the word on social media, and I have some ideas. Plus, she can take a Rhett-worthy headshot.”
Finn felt something shift between them. The awkwardness was still there, the careful politeness of two people navigating new territory. But underneath it was something else—a thread of connection, fragile but real.
They spent the rest of the morning finalizing plans for the event, their conversation growing easier with each passing minute. By the time Brooklyn arrived after school with her camera, they had created a rough schedule that would introduce Rhett Wilder to the world without overwhelming Finn.
“So, you two worked things out?” Brooklyn asked, glancing between them as she set up her equipment near the romance section.
“We’re getting there,” Ollie said, his smile cautious but genuine. “Your dad’s going to be the star of the showcase.”
“About time,” she muttered, adjusting her camera settings. “Dad, lean against that bookshelf. And try to look like someone who writes steamy romance, not like you’re posing for a tax attorney headshot.”
Finn laughed, the sound warming Ollie’s chest. “I have no idea what that means.”
“It means relax,” Brooklyn instructed, circling him with her camera. “Think about Ollie or something.”
