Page 99 of Finn

I see Pops sitting alone in one of the brown leather chairs in the corner. I worry about him. Ever since his wife died a few years ago, he seems sad and lonely. I’m about to tell Finn that we should go sit with him when Pops is suddenly surrounded by all my friends. My chest tightens as Dom sits in the chair next to him. And Jaxon, Alex and Jasper take the couch. Jules and Mira are still going strong, judging by the romantic lip-locking on the small couch on the opposite side.

“Should we go say hi?” Finn asks.

I nod my head, too emotional for words.

We make our way over to the group of people I have only grown closer with. I give hugs and thank everyone for coming before Beckett appears by my side.

“Okay, I’m ready to start sending out food, but I need some help to get the trays lifted!”

Dom stands up quickly, almost knocking over a tray table meant for people eating at the couches and big chairs.

“Ummm,” he stammers awkwardly, “I can help!”

Beckett cocks his head, “Huh, okay, you’ll do! Come with me!”

I sit in the chair next to Pops.

“I’m really proud of you, kid!”

Turning and looking at the aging man next to me, I know I need to do better about visiting him and making sure we stay in each other’s lives.

“Thanks Pops! I know how much you have been watching out for me after Mom died. If it wasn’t for you those first few years, I wouldn’t be here watching our dreams come alive!”

Pop’s eyes glossy from unshed tears. “She would be really proud of you, son!”

“Thank you!” I whisper, wiping the tears that are gonna fall all night long.

“Here sweetheart, I got you a glass of wine,” Finn says, handing me the glass before pushing Jaxon over so he can sit on the end closest to me.That’s love, ladies and gentlemen!

Olly comes rushing through the front doors.

“Sorry I’m late! I tried to get out as quickly as I could.”

“Olly, you are running a very busy diner. I am just happy you could even make it at all.”

“Yeah, here is to hoping you help me lighten the load.”

Jasper gets up and ushers Olly into the chair he occupied when Finn squeezes himself into the couch and then pulls a chair from a nearby table into our circle.

Soon, the food comes out, and the rumbling of how good it all is, is music to my ears. Beckett made each course as a sampling of our menu. Not only is Beckett smart when it comes to this stuff, he’s really fucking talented. I got so lucky. Looking around the cafe is proof of just how lucky I really am.

By the time the night starts to wind down, my feet are killing me and my voice is hoarse from the amount of talking I’ve done. All that’s left is our group of friends, as we sit around talking and laughing, still hanging out in the same spot we staked out hours ago. My heart feels full for the first time.

I am sitting in Finn’s lap on one of the brown leather chairs as he leans in. “I think we’ve found our hangout spot here!”

I laugh, looking around at everyone sprawled on the furniture. “I think you are right!”

“So, are you ever going to show me what is covered in the sheet over at the bookstore?”

I've been waiting for tonight to show him.

“Yes, come on,” I say, standing up and pulling him with me.

A couple of the old lamps I set up over by the reading nook in the bookstore cast a warm shadow over the area sectioned off by the white sheets.

“When we first met, you asked me if there was any place around here where you could buy art supplies. You have to travel a few towns over to find a decent shop. The market in this town for art supplies is surprisingly high, and at the rate you go through pencils, the need is there. Sooo…” I pull the sheet, then step to the side to reveal several displays filled with everything he would need.

“Spencer, it’s perfect, thank you!” Finn wraps his arms around my waist, placing a soft kiss on my lips. “You have had so much going on with the cafe opening. You doing this? It means a lot.”

Doesn’t he get it? “I’m so proud of you, Finn. You are so talented. I hang those pieces in the cafe because I want the world to see you the way I do. You will always be more than just a tattoo artist. And this… this is just my way of saying, I see you! Never let this part of you be hidden away.”

“You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Spencer.”

I smirk, “Nah, you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.” And he was. All along I thought the cafe was the big dream I was chasing, but it wasn’t, it was him. It was Finn!

THE END