Page 59 of Coming Up Roses
Olivia stares at him for a moment, eyes wide and jawdropped, then shakes off the expression and looks at me and smiles. “She sure did. We’re celebrating on Wednesday. Dinner at home, then line dancing at the hotel.”
Flynn punches the air. “Yes! We’re there.”
Olivia gives him another look. “I hope you can make it,” she says to me. Then she yawns. “Oh my god. I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed. You should too,” she says. “I don’t want to see you here tomorrow.”
“But who’s feeding the cows?” Flynn asks, a cheeky grin on his face.
“I was talking to Abi, you dumbass. You’re still expected to turn up to work.” She reaches up and ruffles Flynn’s hair. He bats her hand away and tries to pin her arms by wrapping her in a giant hug.
I frown, not at their familiarity, but at Flynn having to work tomorrow. “Flynn’s been a huge help to me,” I say. “I couldn’t have done this without him. Does he get some time off soon?”
Flynn and Olivia immediately stop messing around.
“Don’t worry about it, Rosie,” Flynn says. “I’m only feeding out tomorrow. I get the rest of the day off.”
“Oh, okay. That’s alright then.”
Olivia is giving me the same look she was giving Flynn earlier when he picked me up and spun me in a circle. “Right. Well, I’m going to go. Do you want a ride, Flynn?”
He shakes his head. “Have my ute. See you tomorrow, Liv.”
Olivia walks away, shooting us another look over her shoulder as she goes.
“She’s super suspicious,” I say to Flynn and even in the half-dark outside the barn, I can tell his face pales.
“About us?” He kicks his boot in the dirt. “Shit. How would she even know about last night?”
“I don’t know. It might not have been about last night specifically. But when you spun me around her face was … something.”
Flynn rubs his hand over the back of his neck. I’ve known him long enough now to know he does that when he’s uncomfortable.
“It might be nothing,” I say. “It’s probably nothing. There’s nothing for her to know.” I wish I hadn’t said anything. I hadn’t meant to freak him out about it.
“Say nothing again.” Flynn’s tone is teasing and I’m relieved he’s shaken off the worry and is back to his usual sunny self.
I roll my eyes at him, then turn serious. “Thank you for your help, Flynn. I really appreciate it. Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Anytime, Abigail,” he says, voice low and suddenly husky. “Do you need anything else done tonight?” I shake my head and he points over his shoulder, indicating the direction his ute is parked in. “I should get going then.” He gives me a small smile that’s a little shaky around the edges. He shuffles his feet, like he’s not sure if he should leave or not.
This is my moment I guess. If I don’t want him to go, or if I want to go with him, this is my chance.
I open my mouth, ready to ask him how he’s feeling about last night. We’ve avoided it all day. There hasn’t been anything more than friendly between us since he sucked aioli off my thumb this morning. But before I can throw myself at him again, I need to know where he stands.
Instead of words coming out when I open my mouth though, I yawn. It’s huge and loud and the most unsexy thing I’ve potentially ever done.
“Are you okay to drive tonight?” Flynn asks. “Olivia would let you stay. You have a reason she can know about tonight.”
I guess that answers my question about his opinion on last night. One time only apparently.
Then he yawns too. It’s far more adorable than the one I just let out. “I’m absolutely beat. You must be too.”
Maybe I’m reading into all this too much. Maybe he just needs some sleep. After two late nights in a row, I know I sure do. Or maybe he’s worried because I mentioned Olivia being suspicious and he wants to keep a little distance so no one finds out.
That’s probably for the best. While everyone at Wildflower Ridge has been welcoming, including Katie who was the one I was most worried about, their opinions of me might be skewed if they find out the things Flynn and I have done, and the things I really, really hope I get the chance to do with him.
I smile at him, trying to be reassuring, to convince him and myself that everything between us is fine. “Yeah, I am. Goodnight, Flynn.”
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