Quantum Boxed Set: The Complete Series

by Force, Marie

  The boycott is on. I lean closer to Natalie. “Check it out—to the right. They’re the ones that broke your story. Everyone’s blowing them off.”

  She takes a subtle look. “Wow. Is she crying on the air?”

  “Looks that way.” I keep my arm around her. “Congratulations, sweetheart. You’ve got all of Hollywood on Team Natalie.”

  A Hollywood Starz producer tries to get our attention as we go past their setup on the red carpet. Like the rest of my peers, I keep walking when I’d normally stop for a quick chat with them. Instead, I head for their competitors across the way and introduce my wife to the reporters.

  “What do you have to say about the boycott of the Hollywood Starz red carpet show?”

  “I think the acting community is sending a strong message that we won’t tolerate the exploitation of our loved ones in the name of ratings or clicks. What was done to Natalie shouldn’t happen to anyone.”

  “What do you have to say, Natalie?”

  She glances at me, and I nod, hoping to encourage her to speak her mind. “I’ve been extremely moved by all the love and support I’ve received from Flynn, his friends and family, as well as the larger Hollywood community. It’s been overwhelming, to say the least.”

  “Flynn, you have to know the whole world is talking about you and your lovely wife today. You once said very publicly that you’d never marry again. What was it about Natalie that made you change your mind?”

  I look at her gazing up at me with those expressive eyes that had me from the first second I met her. “Everything. Every. Single. Thing.”

  She smiles at me, and I’m simply dazzled. There’s no other word for the way I feel when she looks at me as if I hung the moon just for her.

  “It’s safe to say that every woman in America just swooned.”

  We laugh, say our good-byes and move on to the next interviewer. The questions are similar, and the good wishes are genuine, as is the support for Natalie. I love the way my community has come together to back us both.

  On the way into the auditorium, we’re stopped every few feet by people who want to say hello and meet Natalie. I introduce her to some of the biggest names in the business. She is gracious and adorable as she tries to hold on to her composure and not turn into a giddy fangirl.

  “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” she whispers after she meets Julia Roberts. “I had posters of her in my room when I was little.”

  “She’s a doll. I’m glad you got to meet her.”

  “Could I hit the restroom before we go in? The champagne and excitement are catching up to me.”

  “Sure thing. I could go, too.” I gesture to the security detail to let them know we’re going to the restroom. “I’ll meet you right here, sweetheart.”

  “I’ll be quick.”

  Everyone is so incredibly nice. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the outpouring from the Hollywood community has been overwhelming. Running into Julia Roberts and having her call me by name was the craziest thing that’s ever happened. Well, other than meeting Flynn, of course.

  As I’m headed into a stall, a woman comes out of the next one. I do a double take when I recognize Valerie Ward, Flynn’s ex-wife. Oh God...

  “Well, what do we have here?” she asks with one of those small, nasty smiles catty women do so well. “The new Mrs. Godfrey. Congratulations. You’ve managed to do what so many others have failed to accomplish. You’re the Valerie antidote.”

  I know she wants me to react, to say something I’ll regret, but I refuse to let her goad me. Rather than take her bait, I start to duck into the stall, but she grabs the door, refusing to let me close it.

  Leaning into the stall, she says, “What’s a nice, sweet girl like you doing with a beast like him? Has he tied you up yet? Beat you? Clamped your nipples? Plugged your ass?” She takes a breath, her eyes glittering maniacally. “Yeah, I didn’t think so. Good luck, sweetheart. You’re going to need it.” With the palm of her hand, she smacks the door shut in my face. It narrowly misses hitting the side of my head.

  My hands tremble as I slide the lock into place. What was she talking about? Valerie’s words race through my mind as I try to make sense of what she said. The man she described bears no resemblance to my Flynn. And the way she called me sweetheart in that condescending tone. Is that what he called her, too? Am I foolish to think that name belongs only to me?

  The encounter with Valerie lasted a matter of seconds, but she’s left me reeling and wondering if there’s any truth to what she said. She’s good. I have to give her that. Somehow I manage to take care of business, but I need more time than I have to regain my composure.

  Did Flynn see Valerie come out? Is he talking to her now? Are they having a contentious reunion? Or is he unhappy to see her and worried about what she might’ve said to me? A line has formed inside the ladies’ room, and I feel the eyes of everyone on me as I wash my hands and reapply my lipstick. I take a few deep breaths, hoping I’m not giving anything away to the curious women who are watching me. Some of them I recognize.

  I murmur a hello to everyone who speaks to me on the way out.

  When he sees me coming, Flynn pushes off the wall between the men’s and women’s rooms and smiles widely. He doesn’t look upset or pissed, which leads me to believe his path and Valerie’s didn’t cross. Lucky him. I decide to keep my encounter with Valerie to myself so as not to upset him on his big night.

  He puts his arm around my shoulders and brings me close enough to kiss my temple. “How bad do I have it when I miss you in the time it takes you to pee?”

  His sweetness puts me immediately at ease, despite the ugliness Valerie spewed at me. “Pretty bad.”

  “If this is bad, baby, I don’t want to see good.”

  Everyone is looking at us. Everyone is interested. Everyone is curious. I’m the woman who changed Flynn Godfrey’s mind about marriage. I realize that for the rest of my life, I’ll always be the woman who changed his mind about marriage. I can live with that.

  We’re seated with Flynn’s Quantum colleagues, Hayden, Jasper, Marlowe and Kristian. Marlowe, Jasper and Kristian hug us, and they congratulate us again on our marriage. Hayden is the last to greet us, and he hugs us both, which I take as a hopeful sign.

  We take our seats and pick at the dinner we’re served until the show begins a short time later. While the conversation buzzes around me, I find my mind drifting, puzzling over the things Valerie said to me.

  “Has he tied you up yet? Beat you? Clamped your nipples? Plugged your ass?” Flynn had beaten Valerie? There’s no way that’s true. He’s never been anything but a perfect gentleman with me. Sure, things got particularly heated a few times, like on the plane and our wedding night before my meltdown. Everything between us has been hot and entirely consensual, though. The things Valerie described don’t sound consensual.

  Then there’s the possibility that Valerie is screwing with me because she’s jealous. I wish I knew what she hoped to achieve by saying that stuff to me.

  “You okay?” Flynn asks during a break.

  “Yeah. It’s hot in here.”

  “Is it? Feels okay to me.”

  “How much longer until your category?”

  He smiles and winks when he says, “It’s toward the end.”

  Someone taps him on the shoulder, and he gets up to say hello.

  Marlowe slides into the seat next to mine. “How’s it going, Mrs. G?”

  “Is it hot in here, or is it only me?”

  “I’m fucking roasting. It’s always hot at these things. Too many people and not enough air.”

  My stomach flutters at the thought of asking Marlowe about Valerie. But I need to know. “Hey, Marlowe.”

  “What’s up?”

  I glance over my shoulder to make sure Flynn is still actively engaged in his conversation. “Tell me about Valerie. What’s she like?”

  “She’s a viperous bitch. I hate her guts, and not just because of the hell she put Fly
nn through, but because she’s not a nice person. People in this town are seriously over her. I don’t know too many directors who will still work with her.”

  “Hmm, interesting.”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “I ran into her in the ladies’ room. She was a little… less than friendly.”

  Marlowe snorts in a most unladylike fashion that makes me like her more than I already do. “I imagine she was. Not only did she lose Flynn, but for years he told the world she permanently turned him off marriage. That’s gonna leave a mark. Did you tell Flynn you saw her?”

  “No. I didn’t want to upset him on his big night, and I knew he’d be pissed at what she said to me.”

  Marlowe leans in closer. “What’d she say?”

  “It’s not even worth repeating. I suppose if I was stupid enough to lose the love of a man like Flynn, I’d be a jealous bitch, too.”

  “You will never, in the history of the universe, be capable of the kind of shit that woman spews. And P.S., you did the right thing not saying anything to him about it. He sees red where she’s concerned, and it is a big night for him. Or I expect it will be anyway.”

  “Don’t jinx him.”

  She smiles at me. “You really love him, don’t you?”

  “I really do.”

  “Good. You’re just what he needs in his life.”

  “You think Hayden will ever come around to seeing that?”

  “Hayden has his own demons.” Marlowe looks at the man in question as he laughs and jokes with friends. “I don’t think his reaction has anything to do with you or Flynn, and you shouldn’t take it seriously.”

  “It hurts Flynn’s feelings.”

  “Those two have always had their ups and downs. It’s the nature of their relationship. They always get past the bumps, so try not to worry.”

  An announcement is made that the commercial break is about to end and everyone is asked to return to their seats.

  “Hey, Marlowe, thanks. You’ve been a good friend to me. I appreciate it.”

  She gives me a quick hug. “I hope we’ll become very good friends.”

  Marlowe Sloane wants to be good friends with me. How crazy is that? She returns to her seat, and Flynn slips his arm around me.

  “How you doing?”

  “I’m good. How’re you?”

  “Ready to get out of here.”

  “And hit the parties?”

  He shakes his head. “I’m a newlywed. I’m skipping the parties.”

  “What if you win?”

  “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that…”

  “You can’t skip the parties.”

  “Watch me.”

  The way he says those two little words—and how he looks at me as he says them—does crazy things to my insides. I love how much he desires me and how badly he wants to be alone with me. I lean back against him while we wait for his category to be announced.

  Marlowe is the presenter for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. She announces the nominees, and when she gets to Flynn’s clip, the audience goes crazy. He smiles for the cameras, but under the table he’s gripping my hand.

  I give him a squeeze in support.

  “And the Actor goes to… my friend Flynn Godfrey for Camouflage!”

  The place goes bonkers.

  He kisses me, hugs Hayden, Jasper and Kristian and then heads for the stage. We’re all on our feet clapping, cheering and, in my case, trying not to cry. Marlowe greets him with a hug and hands him the award.

  It takes a long time for the applause to die down. Wearing that humble smile I love so much, Flynn stands before his peers, holding his award and drinking in his big moment.

  Even if I’d been watching the show at home having never met Flynn, I’d be happy for him because Camouflage is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. But as his wife and the woman who loves him… I’m over the moon with happiness and pride in his accomplishments.

  “Thank you so much to the Screen Actors Guild for this incredible honor,” he says after the crowd finally settles. “I’ve been blessed to work with so many of you and to call you my friends and colleagues. We’re the luckiest people in the world to be able to do this job we love. To be recognized for the work is frosting on a pretty nice cake. You all know this film is very near and dear to me and to everyone at Quantum. Jeremy’s story took me on an amazing journey and gave me an all-new appreciation for the sacrifices our military members and their families make for us every day. Please do your part to support our veterans and their families. We owe them everything.” Another round of enthusiastic applause follows that statement.

  “No one gets here,” he says, holding up the statue, “without a lot of help, and I have the best people in the world working with me as well as the greatest family anyone could hope to have. And now…” He takes a moment and seems to be collecting himself as he looks directly at me.

  My heart stops and I hold my breath, waiting to hear what he will say.

  “Now I have Natalie, too. It’s no secret that these last few weeks have been rough for my wife—I sure do love saying that—and for me. Neither of us will ever forget the love and support we’ve received from this community. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Natalie’s wildebeest dog, Fluff-o-Nutter,” he says to a crackle of laughter from the crowd. “Without Fluff’s bad behavior, Natalie might’ve walked right by the park where I was filming in New York, and I never would’ve known that the love of my life was getting away. So thank you, Fluff.” Looking directly at me, he adds, “Natalie, I love you with all my heart, and I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”

  He holds up the award. “Thank you very much for this incredible honor.”

  I wipe away a monsoon of tears as Flynn and Marlowe leave the stage arm in arm, laughing as they go. I can’t believe he actually thanked Fluff! He’s back a few minutes later with the Camouflage cast to accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

  What an amazing moment to witness, even if I had nothing at all to do with it. His joy is mine, and I’m filled to overflowing with pride for this man who has swept me off my feet and captured my heart. That day in the park feels like a lifetime ago, when it was only a couple of weeks. Flynn and I have packed a year’s worth of living into that short time, and I’m so excited to see what’s next for us.

  As the show ends, Flynn comes down the stairs from the stage. Even with an award in each hand, he manages to lift me right off my feet and kiss the daylights out of me with most of Hollywood looking on.

  I put my arms around him and kiss him back.

  He seems to finally remember where we are and breaks the kiss, but I can feel his reluctance.

  “I’m so proud of you and so happy for you,” I whisper into his ear so he can hear me over the din around us. “Thank you for recognizing Fluff’s contribution to our relationship.”

  “She played an essential role. Best supporting actress.”

  I smile up at him, and he hugs me again. Since I’m wearing sky-high heels, I can see over his shoulder. My gaze locks on Valerie, who’s looking at us with barely restrained hatred. I’m not sure what comes over me, but I smile at her as I hug my handsome, successful husband. Let her eat her heart out, because she let him get away.

  The look she gives me is positively vile, and I realize that with one smile, I’ve made an enemy for life. That’s okay. I hold on tighter to Flynn. We’ll get our revenge by being happy together.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he says in a low growl.

  “Don’t you have to do interviews and stuff?”

  He moans. “Yeah, I do, and then we’re getting out of here.”

  “I’m with you, love.”

  “Yes, you certainly are.”

  Chapter 16

  I love watching him do the interviews. With his Actor statues in hand, he’s all the things I love best about him—humble, charming, funny and sincere. The reporters ask the same questi
on over and over: How does he feel about being the front-runner for the Oscar? It’s exciting, he says, but a lot of things in his life are exciting these days. The last reporter wants to know how he’s enjoying married life.

  “It’s spectacular,” he says with a smile for me. “And about to be more so if you’re done with me.”

  “Far be it from us to keep the newlyweds apart any longer,” the giddy female reporter says. “Congratulations again, Flynn. Camouflage was amazing. You deserve all the acclaim and awards.”

  “Thanks very much.” He comes to claim me. “Let’s get the fuck outta here.”

  We follow the security detail to the limo, which they have standing by, ready to whisk us away.

  “Are people going to be mad if you don’t go to the parties?”

  “I don’t care if they are.” The second we’re settled in the car, he puts his arm around me and draws me to him, his eyes glittering with happiness and intent. “Kiss me, sweetheart, before I die from wanting you to.”

  What else can I do when he puts it that way? I reach for him and bring him to me, laying my lips over his and breathing in his endlessly appealing scent. It always makes me want to burrow into his neck. For the longest time, we don’t do anything more than kiss, lips pressed against lips, sharing the same air. The sheer intimacy of the moment hits me like an arrow to my heart. This man who could have any woman in the world has chosen to spend the rest of his life with me.

  He frames my face in his big hands and pulls back to study me. “How can you be so beautiful and all mine?”

  “I was just wondering the same thing about you.” I curl my hand around his wrist. “I really loved what you said up there. Fluff will be pleased when she hears about it, too. It was very sweet of you to include her.”

  “You know I meant what I said about how close we came to never meeting. If she hadn’t broken free, if you hadn’t chased her… It makes me ache to think about what we could’ve missed.”