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“Then that’s all that matters.”
Is it? I’ve always felt like being happy wasn’t something to be trusted—because it could be taken away from you at any moment. Happiness was something to ration, to protect. But in protecting myself I’d been happier less and less. I’d forgotten how to let people in.
Until him.
I watch him across the room and my whole body glows with something warm and fuzzy—something precious. Flynn makes me happy. I might not know how to label it, or predict where it’s going, but I know that much at least.
I like him and he makes me happy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Flynn
DREWWASMAGNIFICENTTONIGHT—the way she had the audience held in complete rapture, the way she showed her love for her sister...all of it. I’m enamoured. Smitten. We could barely keep our hands off each other in the taxi on the way home and now we’re stumbling through her front door, hands wandering and lips kissing and bodies on fire.
“Stop,” she says breathlessly, laughter making her voice sound like bubbles. “I’m having a shower before we go any further. My legs are still sticky from when your brother opened that bottle of champagne all over me.”
“Oh, Gabe.” I shake my head. “He doesn’t get out much these days and he’s a total lightweight.”
“He’s really sweet, even if he is a sloppy drunk.” Drew grins. “I like him.”
“I think the feeling is mutual. He was hinting that maybe I should ask you out.”
She giggles, her eyes a little glassy from all the celebratory drinks we’ve consumed. We’re both a little drunk and a lot horny. “What did you say?”
“That I’d take it under advisement.”
She drapes her arms around my neck, swaying on her stilettos. “You didn’t tell him we’re already screwing like bunnies?”
“I didn’t think that would be appropriate.”
“So serious, Mr. Suit.”
“It’s for the best.” I squeeze her butt. “Now go and have that shower before I haul you over my shoulder and take you to bed.”
“Very caveman, I love it.” She totters off toward the bathroom. “We’re going back to your place, by the way. No boinking on my friend’s bed.”
I watch as she disappears into the bathroom. “Got it.”
The sound of water rushing fills the apartment and steam billows out of the crack where the door sits ajar. I want to join her, but she made it clear before we even got home that she was going to shower alone. I don’t question these things—maybe she has something planned. Maybe it’s a girl thing. Who knows?
I wait around, letting my imagination swirl. Letting my arousal build. The sound of running water cuts off but sounds continue to come from the bathroom. Not wanting to rush her, I pull out my phone and as if by some weird snap of cosmic timing, my brother’s face flashes up on the screen. I answer the call.
“Hey, man.” It’s not like Gabe to call so late; he should be home with Zoe by now. “Everything okay?”
“Flynn, I need you to come over...fuck.” Gabe sounds ruined.
“What’s going on?” My eyes dart to the shower. I don’t want Drew to suddenly come out of the bathroom and give our secret away, so I duck into the only other room in her friend’s apartment—the bedroom.
This apartment is a typical city shoebox, and about a third the size of mine. It’s cute but cramped. The bedroom has a double bed, which is unmade and strewn with clothes. There’s makeup scattered across a small vanity unit. Typical Drew.
“It’s Monique.” Gabe sounds like he’s about to lose it. “She turned up at the house and the babysitter didn’t know what to do. She’s been...here. With Zoe. All night.”
On the surface, it mightn’t sound bad, but I know why Gabe is furious. Zoe was distraught after her mother left, and reopening that wound is only going to add stress in a time when they already have enough to deal with.
“Have you heard from her recently or did she turn up without warning?” I rake a hand through my hair.
“She left a voicemail a few days ago, but I’m not taking her calls. Why would I? She left us and doesn’t even call for Zoe’s birthday. Now she’s saying she wants another chance and I’m...” His voice wavers. “What if she tries to fight me for custody?”
