Third Time's the Charm

by K. Evan Coles

  He’d be lucky if he got any of those things, however, because while Paul had also worked a long shift, he was attending a fundraiser at an oyster bar in the South End tonight and was determined that Finn would tag along.

  Finn cast a pleading glance across the table at Paul’s husband, Mick, but he simply shrugged. “How are you so perky right now?” Finn asked Paul.

  Paul’s blue eyes twinkled. “Mick made me take a nap after I got home. I’m not sure how much sleep we got, of course.”

  Finn wrinkled his nose. “Way more than I needed to know about your afternoon, man.”

  “You should have napped yourself,” Paul replied. “Or at least bought a coffee while you were out doing whatever you did after work.”

  “I went clothes shopping,” Finn muttered. “I had a coffee, too, thank you very much. It didn’t do anything for me, that’s all.” The guy standing in front of Finn in the line for coffee had done something for him, however, that was for sure.

  Finn smiled to himself. Yeah, Mr. Starbucks had definitely caught Finn’s attention with his striking features and head of dark hair, not to mention his beautiful suit. Or the way his broad shoulders filled out the suit’s jacket.

  “What’s that dreamy face about?” Finn could practically see the wheels turning in Paul’s head. “Anything you want to share with the class, Finn?”

  “Nope.” Finn shook his head. “I’ve got nothing to share, Nosy McGee.”

  Unfortunately, that was an all-too-true statement. Finn hadn’t even spoken with Mr. Starbucks. He’d been in the company of someone blond and elegant who’d been dressed in his own fine suit, and they’d appeared to know each other well. Finn had felt at a disadvantage in his jeans and blue shirt and had gone tongue-tied when the guy had flashed him a grin. Just as Finn had decided to say something the next time the guy turned around, the hospital had called with a patient update. Before he’d really thought about it, Finn had walked out of the coffee shop with his phone and cup, and left Mr. Starbucks and his handsome friend behind.

  Lame.

  Paul looked unimpressed by Finn’s non-answer. “Why don’t you grab a shower before we go?”

  “Because I still think it’d be nicer to go lie down and sleep for ten hours,” Finn replied.

  “Yeah, no,” Paul said. “You’re coming out with us and that’s final. It’s going to be fun, dammit.”

  “Ooh, I can’t wait.” Finn smiled as Mick smothered a laugh behind his hand. “It’s not that I don’t want to come out with you, by the way,” he added. “Any other night and I’d be happy to join, but I’m beat. Not sure I’m up for dinner and drinks with a bunch of strangers.”

  Paul’s expression turned coy. “Not everyone there will be a stranger to you.”

  Finn’s mood tanked further. He dropped his gaze to the floor where Daisy, his calico cat, lay stretched out, ignoring them all. Paul no doubt meant his friend Chad would be at the party. Chad Lawry was interested in Finn, and Paul kept trying to set them up, despite Finn’s insistence that he didn’t need a matchmaker. Never mind that Finn and Chad had nothing in common. Or that Chad seemed more interested in Finn’s title and medical degree than his personality. Finn hadn’t told Paul any of that, of course—he couldn’t help his friend being a problematic prick.

  Finn cleared his throat. “Knowing people there doesn’t change the fact I’d much rather take a nap than shuck an oyster.”

  This time, Mick set down his beer bottle. “Maybe Finn’s got a point, Paul. We both know he’s been working like a dog all week. If he’s tired, why shouldn’t he stay here tonight and chill?”

  “Because being tired comes with the job, love.” Paul laid his hand over Mick’s where it rested on the table. “Now, I know what you’re going to say—working hard can make any job tiring. You clock a ton of hours when you’re on a big project. Finn and I don’t have a set work structure, however. We don’t know when or how long we’ll be on until the shift schedules post.

  “All that said, we need to get out of the house and see people, no matter how tired we are. Luckily, I have you to remind me of that.” Paul grinned at his husband. “I wouldn’t go out even half as much if you weren’t around, and Finn’s much worse. He has a tendency to go full-on hermit if he’s not forced to socialize.”

  Finn nodded. “That’s true,” he told Mick. “Paul’s been dragging me out since we were in med school, so I shouldn’t be surprised he’s trying to force me now.” He glanced back at Paul, whose expression softened.

  “Honey, I won’t make you come with us, but I think you should. You’ve been holed up in this place since you got off the plane from Chicago.”

  “That’s a stretch,” Finn scoffed. “I go to work. I’ve been out with you and Mick most weekends looking at apartments, not to mention our excursions for fried seafood.”

  Paul hummed in agreement. Finn had made it his mission to try fried seafood all over the city, a project Paul supported with great enthusiasm. “Granted. Sullivan’s on Castle Island is next on the list, by the way.” He eyed Mick, who was chuckling. “What?”

  “Nothing. I love that you’re a shameless slut for fried clams.” He ruffled Paul’s golden-brown curls. “Why don’t you hit the shower while Finn and I finish up here?”

  “Okay.” Paul looked askance at Mick. “You’re not planning on talking him out of going to dinner tonight, are you? Because I can tell by his face that he’s already given in.”

  Finn lifted his bottle with a snort. “You keep talking like that and I swear to God, I will fall asleep at this table just to spite you.”

  Paul cheerfully flipped him off before he stalked out of the kitchen, and Mick splutter-laughed around a mouthful of his beer.

  “This may sound weird, but sometimes, I wish I’d known you both when you were dating,” Mick said.

  Finn let out a laugh of his own. “We weren’t much different back then. I mean, besides being more, you know, handsy.”

  Mick wrinkled his nose. “Okay, that I don’t need to see. You’re a good-looking guy, but I’m not one to imagine Paul with anyone that way, if you know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, same. No offense to you, of course,” he said with a laugh.

  “None taken.” Mick studied Finn with his pale green eyes. “You okay? I know you’re tired, but you seem kind of down tonight.”

  “Oh, I’m fine.” Finn rubbed a hand over his hair. “Despite my bitching, Paul’s got a point. I need to work on expanding my social circle.”

  “You’ll get there,” Mick replied, his deep voice soothing. “Making friends in this town can be tough. Everyone’s rushing and busy, earbuds in, staring at their phones.” He grinned. “I’ve lived here long enough to be used to the chronic lack of eye contact.”

  “It doesn’t bother me, either,” Finn said. “I feel more at home here than I ever thought I would.”

  Having grown up in Chicago, Finn was used to an open brand of Midwestern friendliness in the people he met every day. While he sometimes missed it, he’d acclimated to Boston’s more standoffish vibe with ease. Well, maybe that wasn’t entirely true. He’d dropped the ball with the guy at Starbucks a couple of hours earlier. And that guy had even smiled, for crying out loud.

  “There’s that look again.”

  Mick’s voice drew Finn him back to the present. “What are you talking about?”

  “The look you’re wearing right now,” Mick said. “Kind of dreamy and maybe the tiniest bit drunk. You’ve hardly had any beer, though, so I’ve got a hunch there’s more to it. You gonna tell me what’s going on?”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Finn replied. He wished he had a story about meeting Mr. Starbucks. Yet another reminder Paul was right about Finn’s need for human interaction.

  “And you’re sure you’re up for going out?” Mick asked. “Paul’s all talk, you know—he’d be the first one to tell you to stay home if you’re feeling ill.”

  “Oh, I know. I’m good, Mick. A little melancholy ma
ybe, but some good food and company will cure that.” Finn reached out and patted his friend’s arm. “I wish I’d come back for a nap too, though. You guys need to make sure I don’t pass out face-first into my plate tonight.”

  “So, go lie down.” Mick picked up the empty bottles. “I’ll make sure you’re up in an hour.”

  Finn cast a doubtful look at him. “Don’t cocktails start at six?”

  “They do, and dinner is at seven-thirty.” Mick sipped his beer. “Paul and I can go ahead and you can meet us there. He won’t care that you’re late, as long as you show up. I’ll even run interference with Chad for you if you want.”

  Finn sighed happily. “You are a good friend.”

  “I know.” Mick gave him a knowing smile. “It’ll cost you, though.”

  “I already told you I’d hire you to decorate my apartment—what more do you want?”

  “Paella, like you and your mom made the last time Paul and I went to see you in Chicago.”

  “Done!” Finn pushed himself to his feet with a laugh and Mick rubbed his hands, his satisfaction evident.

  Daisy followed Finn to the guest room and jumped onto the foot of the bed while he stripped down to his boxers. He was still dog-tired but felt lighter as he crawled under the bedding. It was Friday night, he lived in a new city and he had plans to eat good food with his friends. A quick nap and he’d be ready even for Problematic Chad.

  Chapter Three

  Fueled by food and caffeine, Luke spent the afternoon pushing through the code that had been dogging him and by five o’clock, he was smiling.

  “You look very pleased with yourself,” Simon observed. “Everything back on track?”

  Luke gave him a thumbs-up. “I just turned everything over to the design team.”

  “Well done. Are you about ready? We need to leave soon to meet Miss Ella.”

  Every Friday, Luke treated his niece to dinner at the restaurant of her choice. For almost a year, Ella’s favorite eatery had been Two Men and a Grille, a retro diner not far from their neighborhood. Simon tagged along, as did Ella’s babysitter, Melissa, when she was free.

  “I have one more thing to wrap up,” Luke told Simon, “but I’ll text Melissa and let her know we’re running behind.”

  Simon held up a hand. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll go ahead and meet them.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  “Of course not. This is my chance to convince Ella to eat something other than macaroni and cheese.” Simon closed his laptop.

  “Thank you. And what have you got against mac and cheese?” Luke asked.

  “Nothing. I have no idea how Ella can order it every time she goes out, that’s all.”

  “You never complain when you’re cleaning up whatever she didn’t eat,” Luke replied.

  Simon opened his mouth to respond, but stayed silent when Gillian appeared in the doorway.

  “I’m calling in sick Monday unless there’s a new coffee machine,” she told them, a hand on her hip.

  “No, you won’t.” Simon smirked at her. “You have a meeting at nine with a subcontractor and we both know you can’t have that meeting from home.”

  Gillian met his gaze over the top of her glasses. “I hate you.”

  “Liar.” Simon stood and slung his bag over his shoulder. “You love me, Gilly.”

  “Only when your mouth is so full you can’t speak.” Gillian turned to Luke. “You boys headed out?”

  “Soon, yep,” Luke replied. “You out, too?”

  Gillian nodded. “Charlie says Shelli wants macaroni and cheese, and I need to start cooking.”

  Simon made his way to Gillian’s side and draped his arm over her shoulders. “What is it with you people and the mac and cheese?”

  “It’s easy, reasonably nutritious and children like it. Duh.” Gillian poked Simon’s ribs with her elbow and made him grunt. “Besides, it’s not like you don’t eat it if it’s in front of you.”

  Luke grinned and waved his friends out. Once upon a time, he, Simon and Gillian had spent every Friday night together downing snacks and drinks at a tavern in Charlestown. They’d made many decisions—both good and bad—during those beer-and-nacho-fueled nights, including starting their own company. Now, twelve years later, the Friday beer nights were a thing of the past. None of them could tolerate that much booze, for one, and Gillian was usually with her husband and daughter while Luke spent time with Ella, often in Simon’s company. Luke wouldn’t have changed any of it, but he sometimes missed those carefree, beery nights.

  Maybe I miss being carefree, he thought. He pulled up a worksheet and began making notations. It had been a while since Luke had truly felt such a thing.

  Thirty minutes later, he gathered his things and locked up the empty office. Thunder rumbled over the downtown area as Luke stepped outside, and he eyed the dark, threatening clouds overhead.

  “I can make it,” he muttered and set off.

  He put some speed into his step in an effort to beat the impending showers and made it two blocks before the skies opened up. The fat, fast-moving drops sent pedestrians scrambling and umbrellas popped open while those without them dashed for shelter in shops and anything providing cover.

  Luke skidded to a stop under a gray and white awning at the entrance of a high-rise condo tower across the street from Boston Common. He glanced down at his damp jacket and shirt and sighed. The downpour was too heavy to go on if he didn’t want to get soaked, and lightning streaked through the clouds over the park, followed by a low rumble of thunder.

  Luke pulled out his phone. Rain delay, he wrote to Simon. Stuck on Tremont without an umbrella.

  Simon replied at once. Bad show. El and Missy just got here—we’ll grab a table.

  The double doors behind Luke swished open, but he was too busy staring gloomily at the flow of rain-streaked traffic to pay much attention. He pocketed his phone with a sigh.

  “That bad, huh?”

  Luke blinked. He turned to the figure beside him and blinked again as he recognized the cute guy from Starbucks, whose expression of surprise Luke knew mirrored his own.

  “You were ahead of me in line for coffee today, right?” the guy asked.

  “That’s right,” Luke said and laughed. “I’d try to hold back a corny remark about small worlds, but wow.” Delight zinged through him when the guy grinned.

  “I won’t hold it against you.”

  Luke caught himself staring but didn’t stop. This guy was actually gorgeous. He stood about as tall as Luke’s six-foot-one height but looked lean where Luke was broad. His dark hair and warm olive skin set off his clear gray eyes, which shone when he smiled. His stylish black jacket and trousers also made Luke excruciatingly aware of his own soggy state.

  Ugh.

  “I’m sure this won’t last much longer,” the cute coffee guy said. He gestured at the rain falling beyond the awning, unaware of Luke’s struggle. “Another ten minutes and you should be fine.”

  “You’re right.” Luke licked his lips. “I’m just annoyed because I’m late meeting my niece and some friends for dinner. It’s my own fault for not bringing an umbrella, of course, and the subway’s not much help where I’m going.”

  “Where are you headed?”

  “Stanhope Street in Back Bay.” Luke raised his eyebrows when the guy held up a black umbrella.

  “I’m headed that direction, too,” he said. “This thing’s plenty big enough for both of us, if you don’t mind sharing, and I can get you close to where you need to be.” His expression fell slightly in the face of Luke’s stare.

  Luke gave himself a mental shake. “Really?”

  “Sure.” The cute coffee guy smiled. “You know it’s impossible to find a cab or Lyft in this kind of weather, and I don’t mind the walk if you don’t.”

  “I absolutely don’t.” Luke grinned as his rescuer unfurled the umbrella and popped it open. “Thank you. You’ve saved me a lot of aggravation.”

  “No trouble at a
ll.” The guy dropped his gaze then and chuckled. “Um…yeah.”

  Luke swallowed. Good Lord, but he was adorable. “What is it?”

  “I’ve never made someone’s acquaintance under an awning in the rain before.” The cute coffee guy’s cheeks flushed. “Especially after almost meeting them in line for coffee. I’m Finn,” he said.

  Luke stuck out his hand, and warmth spread through him as Finn shook it. “Luke. I’ve never met anyone in the rain, either.”

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Luke.” Finn caught his bottom lip between his teeth for a moment before he let go of Luke’s hand. “Shall we?”

  They fell into step together, and Luke glanced up at the black nylon shield above them, marveling at how well it covered them both. They had plenty of room to walk side by side while staying dry, even with Luke’s bag over his shoulder.

  “Okay, this has got to be the biggest umbrella I’ve ever seen,” he blurted. He was too charmed by what was happening to be embarrassed by his own silliness.

  “It’s not even mine,” Finn said with a smile. “It belongs to my friend. He and his husband live in that building, and they’re putting me up while I find a place of my own.”

  “Are you new in town?”

  “I’ve visited Boston many times, but essentially, yes. I relocated here in April from Chicago.”

  “That explains it,” Luke mused. “Midwesterners are super friendly compared to New Englanders.”

  “I didn’t say anything to you in the coffee shop.” Finn grimaced. “I fell down on the job there, even after you smiled at me.”

  “True, but I didn’t say anything to you either.”

  “Fair point. Can I assume this congeniality you’re showing now means you’re from out of town, too?” Finn asked.

  “Nope. I was raised here and I’m as crabby as anyone else in the city when I want to be.”

  They paused at an intersection and waited for the light to change while traffic sped by.