“That was me,” I say, wishing that I had fled after five minutes like originally planned. “Sorry. Everything is fine.”
Kind of.
“This is Kavya,” Finn says to the woman, navigating the awkwardness. “One of the talented curators who made tonight possible. And I’m sorry—I didn’t catch your name?”
“Liz Honeycut,” she says, and offers her hand to Kavya. “I’m here representing the Northeast Arts Council.”
“Oh,” Kavya says, surprised. “We’re glad to have you.” She blinks. “We were expecting someone else. Has anyone welcomed you and offered a tour?”
Liz nods. “Thank you, I’m finding my way. I suppose you were expecting Donald. Truthfully, I never tend to agree with Donald. He’s a bit…” She looks to me with a smile. “Stuck up.”
Relief washes through me, and Finn lightly squeezes my arm, letting me know he’s here. It’s possible I didn’t ruin everything.
Liz looks back to Kavya. “Fantastic show you’ve put together. I’ll be glad to tell the rest of the committee what a special thing you have going on here in your arts district. While I have you, though, one quick question. I’m curating a show of floristry asfine art, and the flowers tonight are stunning. Real works of art. Could you please pass on the florist’s contact?”
“Funny you should ask,” Kavya answers.
Finn and I slip away, leaving them to talk. The second we’re by ourselves, he grabs my hand.
“You good?”
“Yeah, thanks. I’m good. You?”
“I’m good!” He laughs warmly and leans against me. “That was unexpected.”
I chuckle, too, able to see the humor in it. “Lucky I’m not the only one who thinks Donald is an asshole.”
We look into each other’s eyes, and everything feels right. The world falls into place, and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. With Finn.
“You’re good at that,” I tell him. “You directed attention back to the art, made introductions, found common ground. You’ll be a great gayborhood ambassador if you let them make The Scoop the featured business.”
“Thank you. It would be a major commitment, but if it means I get to be a champion of the gayborhood, I’m leaning toward saying yes.”
“I’ll come and knock over tables anytime you need. But I heard what you said the other day, about wanting something that’s just ours. I’m going to make sure I’m there for you after the events, when it’s just us. Take care of you, and make our time together special.” I pull him closer and drop my voice, lower. “Anything you need.”
Finn smiles. “I like that. Want to head to my apartment now? I can meet you back there in a couple of hours.” He glances over his shoulder before turning back to me. “I like knowing that you’re there.”
“I like being the guy waiting for you.”
Finn leans forward and kisses me one more time. “I love you, Riley,” he says, the sweet words quiet, spoken only for me.
My chest warms, and a smile fills my face.
“I love you, Finn.”
