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Flynn looked at me. Just looked for a long, humming moment. “She’s what’s keeping you here at the root of it. Deal with it and the rest will fall into line.”
He was giving me an out, I realized. He knew quite well I didn’t want to get into Margo’s kidnapping and everything else that had happened, especially not in front of a room of people who did not need to be privy to such.
Besides, he was right. Even Simon wasn’t the real explanation behind why I’d escaped LA. I’d taken off to get away from memories of Zoe. Little had I known that she would leave right after me.
Maybe for the same reason, though that was probably too much to hope for.
“I don’t even know where she is right now. She was on some sort of holiday—”
“Well, I’m going to go get some breakfast, if this is turning into a cry-fest for the lovelorn.” Grant pointed at Flynn. “Hey, buddy, you got anything good to eat?”
Flynn didn’t so much as look at Grant as he sat on the arm of the sofa. “So, figure out where she went and go after her. You can’t pine forever. Especially not here. This is not a long-term hotel.”
I grinned. “You know you love having me here. It’s this fucking bloke who pushed you over the edge.” I elbowed Rory, who grunted and pushed me in return. I was pretty sure he’d been halfway back to sleep. “And who can blame you? He’s an arsehole.”
“He’s the arsehole who told me to get your band here so we can release this song and make you a superstar. At least that was assured before you wrecked your hair.”
I glared at Sabrina. “My hair is not the sum total of my parts.”
“Definitely not. He’s got long…eyelashes too.”
I stomped on Rory’s instep and delighted in his groan. “Maybe I don’t care about being a superstar anymore. Did that ever occur to you? Maybe I just wanted to write and sing a song with a friend.” I nodded to Flynn. “Even if he wants to kick me out.”
“Your friend will be a superstar as well when I’m done promoting that song.” Sabrina barely spared Flynn a glance. “You might even get another invite back here, if you play your cards right.”
“Not if he’s going to have his flock of birdies chirping after him. I like quiet.” Flynn angled his head and took a slow perusal of Sabrina. “And you, darlin’, look like you bring a helluva hurricane with you.”
“Depends on how strong a house you’ve built. The weak definitely can’t withstand me.” She flicked a look at him beneath her lashes and returned her gaze to me. “So, let’s see that studio Rory told me about and get this show on the road, huh?”
“You do realize I didn’t invite you here.”
“Not thinking she’s the sort who waits for an invite. Just barges in.” Flynn smiled, if baring his teeth counted as one. “No wonder Van hired you. He loves to employ ballbusting women to do his dirty work.”
“You mean because men can’t get the job done? Impressive of you to admit it.” Sabrina motioned to Grant, Lark, and Perry. “Let’s go take a look at the studio. Where is it, Rory?”
Flynn unfolded himself from the arm of the couch. “This is my house. I say who goes where, when.”
Sabrina crossed her arms. “That so? You have a problem with me looking at your studio?”
“No, I have a problem with you having no fuckin’ manners and strutting in here like you own the place.”
Sabrina didn’t so much as blink. “My artist is here, and he’s my investment.”
“He’s also a goddamn person, not just a dollar sign. You see this, Ian? You wondered why I would never sign with Ripper, no matter how far Van and I go back. Shit like this is why.”
Flynn walked out of the room before Sabrina could bank the fire in her eyes.
Assuming she ever did. Fire-breathing and snorting weren’t entirely out of the question.
I cleared my throat. “So, that went well.”
No one spoke. Or maybe even breathed.
I rose. “Look, I’ll meet you guys in the studio. I’m really glad you came.” It wasn’t simply blowing smoke. I was truly happy to see all of them again and to collaborate with them. We’d barely gotten started working together before I left town. “We’ll lay down whatever tracks you want, Sabrina. Just give me five with Flynn.”
“Your funeral.”
Ignoring her, I glanced at Rory, who seemed caught between amusement and disgust at what he’d witnessed. “You’ll show them around?”
