Theo grinned. “I hope it works out. You two look good together.”
Finn let himself imagine Maurice’s hand in his again, that warm look in his eyes, and the conversation they were supposed to have.
Yeah. He hoped so, too.
“Wouldn’t it be great if all four of us had a double date?” Theo asked.
“Yes. But we both don’t live in Virginia.”
Theo grabbed his jacket, looking lighter than he had earlier.
“I’m going to meet David for the afternoon,” Theo said.
“Nice. I’m supposed to call Maurice,” Finn answered as if everything was normal, even though his stomach had been quietly staging protests since breakfast.
“The key is on the dresser,” Theo said, nodding toward it. “I hope we see each other at the dance or… later.”
“Oh, we will. Have fun with David.”
“And you better have fun with Maurice,” Theo shot back with a grin.
Chapter Sixteen
Finn
When Theo left, Finnstood up at the edge of the bed for a second, thumb hovering over his phone. He didn’t want to look like he was overeager, but he also wanted Maurice thinking he’d remembered him.
He typed:
Finn:I’m free now if you still want to meet.
The reply came fast, almost too fast for Maurice to have thought twice about it.
Maurice:Come to my room. Door’s unlocked.
Finn’s pulse kicked up. He grabbed the key from the dresser, smoothed his shirt, and headed down the narrow hallway. A couple of guys brushed past him, laughing loudly, but all he could think about was Maurice waiting behind that door.
When he stepped inside, Maurice was leaning against the desk, arms crossed, looking like he’d been pacing before Finn arrived. His stern look gave way to a tender one in an instant.
“Hey,” Maurice said. “Glad you could come.”
“Of course,” Finn said, shutting the door behind him. “I wanted to.”
Maurice’s eyes flicked over him—quick, appreciative, a little hungry—as the heat crawled up Finn’s neck. They stood there for a moment, the air between them charged, until Maurice exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck.
“I like you, Finn,” he said. “A lot. I’m not great at pretending otherwise.”
Finn’s chest tightened in the best way. “I like you too.”
Maurice smiled. “Good. Because I want us to spend time together. Alone time. Real time.”
Finn stepped closer. “I want that too.”
Maurice reached out, brushing Finn’s wrist with his fingers—light, deliberate. “But listen… I also want you to have the total experience here. Meet people. Talk. Dance. Don’t just stick to me just because I’m older or because I noticed you first.”
Finn frowned. “I’m not sticking to you for those reasons.”
“I know.” Maurice’s thumb brushed the seam of his pocket as if he needed something to hold onto. “I just… I don’t want you stuck. You deserve the full week. And I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere.”
