Finn burst out laughing. “Mr. Santos, you look amazing.”
Mr. Santos struck a pose. “Boys, I didn’t ride a Pride Train across the country to show up in a business suit.”
Theo clapped. “You’re officially my new hero.”
The group hugged, took selfies, and caught up while waiting for the parade to start. The surrounding energy built like a wave—whistles blowing, drums pounding, people cheering as the first floats rolled forward.
As they marched, Finn felt the city come alive around him. Confetti drifted through the air like colorful snow. The sun broke through the fog, lighting up the Victorian buildings in soft gold. Cable cars clanged in the distance, their bells echoing through the streets.
Theo nudged him. “Look—we’re almost at the hotel.”
Finn scanned the crowd and spotted Maurice and David on the sidewalk, both wearing rainbow bead necklaces. Maurice held a bag of confetti and threw a handful into the air the second he saw Finn.
“There they are!” David shouted.
Maurice cupped his hands around his mouth. “Finn! Theo! Looking good!”
Finn laughed so hard he nearly tripped. Maurice blew him a kiss—careful not to shout too loud, as if he didn’t want to break the moment. David tossed more confetti, some of it sticking to Theo’s wig.
Theo yelled back, “We love you too!”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Finn
Finn and Theo marcheda little farther, then slipped out of the parade route just past the hotel entrance. Their legs were tired, their faces glittery, and their wigs slightly crooked, but Finn felt lighter than he had in years.
“Okay,” Theo said, catching his breath. “We need to change before the cruise. I can’t show up looking like a Pride piñata.”
Finn snorted. “Speak for yourself. I might keep the wig.”
They headed upstairs, peeling off their glittery tops and swapping them for clean clothes—something comfortable but nice enough for a night cruise on the bay. Finn chose a soft button-down and jeans; Theo went with a breezy white shirt that made his tan pop.
As they headed back downstairs, Finn glanced out the window. The parade still rolled on, music echoing through the streets, rainbow flags waving as if the entire city was celebrating with them.
Tomorrow they’d be flying to Virginia, which is a whole new chapter waiting on the other side of the country.
But tonight? Tonight was theirs. A cruise, the city lights, and the people he cared about. Finn smiled. He couldn’t wait.
Maurice took Finn’s hand as they walked down the pier toward the evening cruise, the sky shifting from gold to soft pink over the bay. The air carried that familiar mix of salt, grilled food from the vendors, and the cool breeze rolling in from the water. David and Theo walked ahead of them, laughing about something Theo said, their shadows stretching long across the wooden planks.
The ship waited at the end of the dock, lights already glowing along the railings. Once they boarded, the four of them climbed to the top deck where their dinner tables overlooked the entire city. From up there, San Francisco looked unreal—the skyline glowing, the fog curling around the bridge as if it were posing for a photo, and the water reflecting streaks of orange and purple.
Finn leaned against the railing. “This is insane. I feel like I’m in a movie.”
Theo fanned himself dramatically. “A very gay movie.”
David nudged him. “The best kind.”
They all laughed and took their seats. The server brought out lobster dinners with bright red shells, melted butter, and lemon wedges. Finn cracked his open, the steam rising into the cool night air.
Maurice watched him with a soft smile. “You’re really enjoying this.”
Finn wiped his hands on a napkin. “Are you kidding? This is the fanciest thing I’ve ever done.”
Maurice leaned closer. “I’m excited to fly home with you tomorrow.”
Finn’s heart did a little flip. “Yeah?”
