by Tori Brooks
Teri was dimly aware of Flynn pulling her onto his lap and holding her close. His strong arms around her were comforting in a way. She hated herself for crying on his shoulder. She hated Flynn for being here when Paul wasn’t.
As she struggled to pull herself together, she became more aware of Flynn holding her. Teri started to push away. Flynn pulled her back gently.
“You’re not done yet.” He reached over and picked up the envelope from the coffee table. Opening it, Flynn pulled out the papers and leafed through them. Some he set aside, Teri didn’t want to see the ones he kept. Shifting her on his lap so she couldn’t just bury her face against his chest again, Flynn held up a glossy picture. The cabin still had snow on it, but there was a warm glow in the window. Smoke curled from the chimney against the frosted trees in the background. It was charming.
“I’m sorry, Teri,” Flynn whispered as she took the picture from him.
She nodded mutely, imagining how her birthday should have gone. Paul probably wouldn’t tell her about it. He’d just make plans for the weekend and keep it a surprise.
Flynn handed her another picture, then another. Pictures of the inside, the remodeled bathroom with the huge hot tub. Other than the tub it still looked pretty rustic. There were pictures of every room. A huge old-fashion cast-iron stove got her attention, and the bedroom loft with a four poster bed piled with quilts. There were pictures of the yard from the fall, after the landscapers had the area sculpted, and a sketch of what it would look like once the new plants matured.
“I believe they’re still finishing the landscaping,” Flynn whispered. “Tim mentioned a resort down the road, but it takes a snowmobile to get to the cabin in the winter.”
Teri set the pictures on the couch beside Flynn.
“I don’t want it.”
“Yes you do.”
She looked at him, irritated that he was arguing with her. Flynn handed her another tissue.
“Teri, it’s not fair that Paul didn’t get to give you this himself. He planned your birthday present . . . what? Nine months in advance? Going out and buying you a million dollar necklace doesn’t mean as much as the thought and effort he put into this. This was personal. It’s a little bit of him, and that means something.”
Teri broke down again. Flynn pulled her closer and held her as he continued.
“Whether you go there or not is irrelevant. It’s something he did to show you how much you meant to him.”
He waited in silence while she cried herself out a second time. Flynn was right, she would keep the cabin. Paul meant it for her. He would’ve been proud to show it to her.
“Would you go?” she asked quietly.
“You mean if someone loved me that much and put that much effort into a personal way to show it?” Flynn sighed. “Sorry, love, I don’t know how to answer that.”
Teri sniffled again and looked up at Flynn briefly. He wasn’t looking at her, he was staring off into the void, lost in his own thoughts. He’d been married three times, surely he was in love with them at some point. Teri didn’t want to pursue it despite her curiosity. And concern, she realized. She assumed Flynn’s sleeping around ruined his marriages, now she wasn’t so sure.
“You look strangely deep in thought considering you’ve stopped crying.”
Teri realized he was looking at her again. She tried to smile, to let him know it was okay. But Teri wasn’t sure it was. Aside from still reeling from the romantic gesture from beyond the grave, she was worried about Flynn. He seemed to be over his brief infatuation with her, Paul’s willingness to have him nearby confirmed that suspicion. Maybe it made sense that he hung around the house so much. After three failed marriages, he was pouring himself into his work now. No doubt Flynn Peterson could get another girl easily and virtually anywhere. Teri felt sorry for him that he didn’t want to try again. Hanging around with the boys was only temporary. It must be lonely to come home to an empty house.
“Are you okay?” A hint of concern showed on his face.
“I thought your plan was to distract me so I didn’t break down. The second time you started it.” She laid her head back on his chest and closed her eyes. They burned from crying, and she was tired.
“Sometimes you need to let it out, love. This is one of those times.”
“Your shirt’s wet.”
“I have others. I’ll change before I take you home so there won’t be any evidence. Dehydrated yet? If you’re not up for caffeine, I keep fresh lemonade in the refrigerator.”
Teri sat up and looked at him.
“You already know I can cook, is it really such a stretch to imagine lemonade?”
“I suppose not. That would be great.” She slid off his lap and Flynn got up. He returned a moment later with two glasses, setting them on the coffee table. Flynn hesitated before sitting.
“What?”
“I’m trying to decide if you’re done crying and it’s safe to go change my shirt,” he gestured toward the hall. Teri laughed.
“I think you’re safe.”
“Okay, just wanted to be sure. I’ll be back in a second.” Flynn disappeared down the hall.
Teri looked around the living room. The room was immaculate and appeared professionally decorated, not like a bachelor lived here. The only things out of place were the wicker garbage can filled with tissues, and the envelope on the couch. And the framed picture of lightning over bushes that didn’t quite match the rest of the décor. Teri replaced the pictures back in the envelope without looking at them. She took a tentative sip of the lemonade.
Flynn returned in a dry shirt and sat down beside her again.
“The lemonade is good. Where did you learn to cook?”
“Gina mostly, my second wife. She loved to cook and some of it rubbed off.”
“I didn’t mean to bring up memories.”
“No drama, love. Sorry, I’ve been talking to Drew too much. Not a problem. Gina and I split amicably.”
Teri nodded. She resisted questioning him further. They drank their lemonade in silence.
“Tomorrow morning, after the kids are off to school, grab your camera and I’ll pick you up about ten.”
“Why?” Teri asked nervously.
“Polar bears.”
“Come again?”
“One of the zoos has polar bear cubs and you’re too tense. They’re a couple of months old now, I imagine they’re playful.”
“I’m not really used to photographing wildlife.”
“Just tell them it’s okay to look at the pretty girls, I’m sure you’ll find your groove,” Flynn smiled.
“I doubt they’ll give me the show you did.” Teri laughed at the memory of meeting Flynn on an impromptu photo-shoot.
“I hope not. If I can’t outshine a couple of novices in pimpy fur coats, it’s time to retire.”
“Baby animals are adorable.”
“So am I. My fan club says so.”
“But their playfulness is charmingly innocent.”
“I’m charming, and innocence is overrated.”
“Innocence has its own charm.”
“Fine,” Flynn sighed. “I’ll concede that point under the assumption you’re referring to Dev. Don’t tell my fan club.”
She laughed again at his overplayed resignation. Finished with her lemonade, she put the glass back on the table.
“Feeling better?” Flynn asked.
“Yes, thanks.”
He took her chin in his hand and gently moved her face to look all directions as he dramatically inspected her. “No evidence I’ve been picking on you. Let’s get you home before Kenny has to stop Dev from tracking your cell phone.”
“You heard about that?”
“Kenny told me.” Flynn stood and held out a hand to help up Teri. He retrieved their coats and Teri found her purse. She looked at the envelope on the table.
“I don’t want to take that.”
“I’ll keep it for now then. Let me know when you want it.”
“Thanks.”
Flynn smiled at her, a softer, supportive smile. It wasn’t one she was accustomed to, and Teri wondered if anyone ever caught the more serious and mature side of Flynn on film. She had a lot of pictures of him, mostly from the airport, monorail, and working with the boys. He never let his guard down for the camera. Maybe she’d try capturing this side of Flynn: the man behind the icon. She followed him out to the car, and got in when he held the door for her.
He noticed her watching him as he got in on the driver’s side.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Teri smiled. Lonely or not, giving up on love or not, showing off another side of Flynn would bring women running. There was no reason for both of them to be alone.
Chapter Seven
“They were cute,” Teri said as Flynn drove her home from the zoo. “But I seriously doubt my pictures are going to show that. It’s just not my thing. My talent lies in other areas.”
“They were naked and frisky, that should be right up your alley,” Flynn argued. She knew he was baiting her.
“Yesterday you called them novices in pimpy fur coats.”
“Well I’m not saying you wouldn’t get better shots if I were naked and frisky, just that they should suffice.”
“Oh, is that the goal? To let you get naked and frisky in front of the camera?” Teri grinned.
“I just wanted to get you back in the game, but if that’s what it takes, that’s what friends are for,” Flynn shrugged.
“Now that you mention it, Nicholas said something once about booking a session for In Like Flynn. So I suppose I could get all of you in front of the camera.”
“Zane won’t do naked and won’t let Drew and I do frisky,” Flynn shook his head sadly. “Sorry, love, it just won’t work. You’re going to have to get your practice another way.”
Teri turned in her seat to fully face him and leaned forward. “You know,” she lowered her voice suggestively. “I frequently rub shimmer lotion all over my model’s body for effect.”
“Yeah,” Flynn cleared his throat in surprise.
“What? No comment on that?” Teri sat back and laughed.
“You know, I’m just not picturing it.”
“You’re blushing.”
“I’m not, I’m . . . okay, I’m blushing. I’m picturing it very clearly, unfortunately, an image that will certainly distract me from driving and I’ll run us off the road.”
“Then I guess it’s just as well that I’m practicing with bear cubs. I’d hate to have to torture you and Drew and Zane with my sadistic ways in the studio.”
“Zane deserves to be tortured. I don’t think we should dismiss your suggestion so easily.”
“But Zane won’t do naked, you said so yourself,” Teri teased.
“Yeah, he’s no fun,” Flynn sighed.
“So what was the session supposed to be anyway? Just semi-nudes?”
“I think.”
“You think? Meaning you would have walked in and stripped if I told you to?”
Flynn smiled wistfully.
“You would have!” Teri was amazed at the revelation. Some stars did nudes, but she didn’t expect it of In Like Flynn, it wasn’t their style. Maybe that was because of Zane and Charlie. Charlie wasn’t with them anymore, but she didn’t think Flynn or Drew would do it either. They focused so much on image, and this just didn’t fit.
“Honestly? I think the original idea that Zane signed off on was just some slightly more suggestive poses than usual. Maybe shirts off, I doubt even swimsuit-level of uncovering would have flown with him.”
“But you thought about it,” Teri coaxed him, curiosity drove her where she was sure she didn’t want to go. She couldn’t help it. His smile said it all: he thought about it. He was thinking about it now. If she could get him in the studio, even semi-nudes . . . Teri’s mind flew through poses and sets.
“The night before we met on the flight to L.A. I ran by your studio but you weren’t there. I didn’t know you used an alias, just that I couldn’t find you or anyone who knew you socially, so I took a chance. I found Nicholas instead.”
“That’s right, he admitted he put you on that plane to pick me up. I was seriously mad at him for throwing you in the middle like that.”
“You and Paul were fighting at the time.”
“I know, but —” Teri stopped. Nicholas had no intention of Flynn succeeding. He was using him to get Paul’s attention.
“But I didn’t have a chance,” Flynn finished for her.
Teri looked at him, it wasn’t fair to him and she felt it more now than when she first found out. It had to hurt. “It wasn’t nice of him.” She looked away, unwilling to let him see her eyes tearing up again.
“Nicholas was honest, he warned me. To be fair, I had no right to be there anyway. My marriage was rocky. I was waiting for Wendy to file. I was going to L.A. to see Drew and have him slap some sense into me. Literally if needed. Nicholas told me the odds were slim to get you, slimmer that Paul would let me keep you.
“Hey! There you go, get Nicholas naked and frisky in front of the camera.”
Teri laughed at Flynn’s sudden change in direction. “There’s no way he’d do it.”
“But that’s what friends are for, to get you back up on your feet and doing what you love. He’s a pal, he’ll do it.”
“You talk him into it,” Teri countered. “And I want to be there to watch.”
“You want to take pictures of the look on his face.”
“That too.”
“Okay, how about this: dinner tonight, you bring your camera. We’ll go with Italian and have the boys order pizza because I’m dying to see Jess and Dev do the chopsticks thing with pizza. Then, I’ll hit up Nicholas and see if he can keep it under control with witnesses. Should make for an interesting scenario.”
“The kids don’t know about my alter ego, Flynn.”
“They don’t have to, Nicholas does. Naturally we’ll have to use interesting word choices, double entendres, but it’s doable. Besides, the girls will be there, that’ll keep the boys distracted.”
Teri’s eyes watered with the hilarity of the suggestion. Partially because it was insane to have a conversation like that in a public place with the kids at the same table, and partially because she knew Flynn would do it. Somehow, he would find creative ways to suggest all sorts of colorful ideas to Nicholas.
“You don’t think I can pull it off,” Flynn accused, trying to sound hurt.
“No, you probably could. I have no idea how I would be able to keep a straight face, let alone snap a shot of Nicholas, and not tip off the kids.”
“Kenny already knows. Are you sure the rest don’t?”
“I hope not,” Teri sobered quickly at the thought. What kind of message would that send to them? The girls in particular worried her. She started absentmindedly chewing on her bottom lip as she considered what the girls might know.
“You’re really worried about it,” Flynn said, the humor gone from his voice.
“I just . . . I’m a hypocrite. I tell them not to take intimacy lightly, but I photograph nudes. That’s in addition to setting the stellar example of having a married man move in with us.”
“That was a special case. He would have married you in a heartbeat if he could have.”
Teri looked at Flynn carefully. He sounded sincere, his face confirmed that belief. Paul said much the same thing, but it validated her feelings to hear Flynn believed it too. On the other hand, how much did Flynn know about the situation? Did he even know enough to form a worthy opinion? Why would he? Her relationship with Paul wasn’t his business.
Flynn glanced at her, then again when he noticed she was watching him.
“Teri,” Flynn began slowly. “Paul gave an explanation in his will. Everyone there knows why he was still married to Sara and that he wanted to be married to you.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Teri nodded, looking back out her window.
> “But?”
“It’s just that . . . it doesn’t matter.”
“It does. It’s just what?”
She turned to face him again. “You sounded like you knew that, really believed it. Not the kind of conviction you get from hearing a will being read. You two talked about me,” she whispered, hoping he’d deny it. Praying that he would deny it, but knowing it was true.
Flynn hesitated and Teri’s stomach turned. She trusted Paul. She trusted Flynn. This felt wrong.
“You’re right, we did. Paul started investigating me after we met in Miami you know. He knew I divorced Wendy. I suspect he knew that I looked into your relationship with him after my divorce was final. You were happy, I wasn’t going to ruin that for you. I said as much to him. Even before I walked in that office, I knew he loved you. He worked hard for you.”
“Did you know about Sara before the will?”
“I knew he was married, Teri. I didn’t have to understand why, or why you accepted the situation. I didn’t ask, but Paul volunteered the details about his marital situation. Not much more than was in the will, actually. It bothers you that I know, doesn’t it?”
“It was Paul’s decision,” Teri said.
“If it were yours, would you have told me?”
“I don’t know. It’s hypothetical anyway. I’m surprised Paul asked you to do this, given the friction between you in the past. I’m more surprised that you took the job.”
“When he wants something, he can sell it. I’m sure you know that.”
“Why did he want it, Flynn? Really? Okay, fine, you know what you’re doing. You’ve got a history of success, you have a history with Paul, but not one that would prompt him to call you over someone else.”
Flynn smiled at her. “Not buying that he genuinely believed I was the best one for the job? I’m crushed.”
There was silence for a moment as Teri refused to accept the easy out. Finally Flynn sighed and continued.