Page 126 of Enticing Her Love

“As arrogant as ever.”

It was a sunny day, and it felt even brighter walking down the street with Flynn, as if there was a spotlight on them. Her anxiety about being caught was messing with her head. She wanted to go back to the weekend, when they could hold hands or touch or kiss without worrying.

Flynn opened the door to the café, waving her in. “After you.”

“Thank you.” They went to stand in line, and his cell phone rang.

“Excuse me.” He put his phone to his ear. “Hello?” He shook his head, his lips tipping up at the corners. “You’ve got the wrong number. There is no Miles Long here, and I’m not an entertainer for hire.”

“Ohmygod,” she said as he ended the call, stifling a laugh.

“That’s the fourth call today.”

“I’m so sorry. My brothers are idiots.”

“No, they’re not.” He smiled. “They’re smart and their pranks are good, but they’re going to pay for this and for that psycho doll prank.”

“Did you and Raz decide on a prank?”

“Not yet, but we’re brainstorming with your dad and his buddies.”

“Lord help us all.”

As Sutton studied the specials on the chalkboard behind the counter, a familiar voice caught her attention. She looked over her shoulder as Karen stepped into line with Aubrey Stewart, one of the original founders of LWW, and the head of the media division.

Sutton’s stomach knotted. She felt like there was a sign on her forehead outing her and Flynn as a couple. He touched her lower back, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. She shifted, putting distance between them.

“Why are you so jumpy, Steele?” He motioned to the line having moved forward.

She gave him a tight smile as Aubrey appeared on his other side.

“I thought that was you two,” Aubrey said. She was tall, blond, and an absolutely brilliant businesswoman. Everything she touched turned to gold.

“Hi. It’s nice to see you. We’re just having a working lunch, talking over projects,” Sutton said nervously. “Future projects.”

“How’s it going, Aubrey?” Flynn asked.

He was so calm, cool, and collected, it made Sutton’s nervousness even more noticeable.

“I’m well, thank you. Flynn, I got your message about wanting to meet with me. I’ll get back to you soon with a date and time. I’m hearing wonderful things about the two of you. Karen mentioned you two nailed your Amazon assignment, but then I saw the footage, and wow. That was impressive reporting, Sutton.”

Sutton beamed with the compliment. “Thank you. Flynn was great out there, and his filming was incredible.”

“Sutton deserves all the credit,” Flynn said. “She’s a real go-getter. She wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty.”

Sutton shot him an incredulous look but quickly schooled her expression.

“That’s good to hear, about both of you. I heard about the pit viper, Sutton. I’m so sorry you went through that.”

“It was terrifying.” Sutton flashed back to the cold wave of fear that had consumed her, giving her a distraction from her current worries. “But Flynn knew just what to do.”

“I have to tell you, I was on the fence when Karen told me her plan about sending you two there,” Aubrey said. “But from what I’m hearing, and seeing you two having lunch together, it appears it was the right thing to do. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. Flynn, you went above and beyond our expectations, and, Sutton, I knew we made the right decision, moving you into the reporting position.”

Guilt coiled tight and painful in Sutton’s chest with thoughts of her impending interview. “I truly appreciate the opportunity. I’ve learned so much.”

As the person in front of them paid for their lunch, Aubrey said, “I know Flynn can be a real ballbuster, but with him pushing your limits and making sure you hit your peak on every assignment, there’s no telling how far you’ll go.” She smiled at Flynn. “Keep it up, Flynn.”

He cocked a grin. “That’s not a problem.”