Page 64 of The Muse
“This guy and his wife live in a big house not too far from here. I don’t know what they do, maybe they’re retired. He hired Flynn to be a muse for his wife. According to Flynn, the husband, Rupert, said his wife, Callie, needs inspiration to live.” I scrunch my nose. “It’s disturbing. But I’ve met her. And she’s pleasant. I’m not sure what’s happened to her, but apparently her husband thinks Flynn is inspiring.”
“Is he?” Mom asks with a conspiratorial grin.
When I give a little shrug, she perks up. My dad doesn’t share her excitement. Mom wants me to find myself and then find love, like she did. But Dad wants me back in California chasing old dreams.
“When do we get to meet him?” Mom asks.
“I’ve invited him to join us for dinner tonight.Buthe doesn’t know much about my past. Not the big stuff. Well, that’s not entirely true. I told him about the abduction.”
My parents wince at the same time. I can’t foresee a day when mentioning that time in our lives won’t cause them physical pain. After several years of therapy, I called it quits. Declared myself cured. Now I mention it as if I’m talking about someone else.
“I just told him I was taken and not harmed, then they recovered me safely.”
Mom curls her hair behind one ear and clears her throat. “Sweetheart, if he means enough to you for us to meet him, why have you been so selective with sharing everything about yourself?”
“You don’t trust him?” Dad asks.
I shake my head. “He grew up in the system. And he wasn’t treated well. In fact, I suspect he was abused pretty badly. I think he has trust issues, especially with people who he thinks have had an easier life than him. Which …”
Mom frowns. “Which is most everyone.”
I nod. “So I’m taking it slowly.”
“That’s best,” Dad says.
Mom eyes him with surprise. Secrets nearly ended their relationship before they got married.
“Oh, in case it comes up in conversation tonight, he bought me a car.” I offer a tight grin as they gawk at me. “Nothing fancy. It was only twenty-five hundred dollars. He didn’t know I don’t have a driver’s license. It’s a really, really sweet gesture. Especially for someone who doesn’t have a lot of money.”
Their expressions remain skeptical, so I jump into my list of swoon-worthy things about him. Starting with how he made me feel cool for having a scar on my lip.
“Oh! Here he comes,” I say, pushing back in my chair at the Italian restaurant. “Just be cool,” I remind my parents.
Mom chuckles behind her wine glass. “I think you’re the one who needs to be cool.”
Am I shaking with excitement and nerves as he worms his way toward us? Yes. Should I hug him? Kiss him? Neither? Both?
Gah!
He looks so sexy in his dark jeans and white button-down with the sleeves rolled just below his elbows.
Slicked-back hair.
A day’s worth of stubble along his jaw.
“You look beautiful,” he says as if my parents aren’t waiting for an introduction. Then he leans in and kisses my cheek, resting his hand on my lower back. “You’re giving me dirty thoughts,” he whispers in my ear.
My whole body goes up in flames. Did they hear him? God, I hope not.
“Thank you,” I murmur, then I clear my throat. “Flynn, I’d like you to meet my parents, Henna and Bodhi.”
My dad stands and shakes Flynn’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Our daughter has been singing your praises all afternoon.” Dad winks at me.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Flynn.” Mom stands and hugs him.
Oh god. This is happening.
“Nice to meet you both.” Flynn lowers partway to his chair before standing upright again. “After you,” he says, holding the back of my chair.
