Page 132 of Enticing Her Love

“She didn’t seem to be. She was just very serious, and she offered me the job, so she must have liked me.”

“Of course she did. That’s wonderful, honey. You must be excited.”

“It’s a great offer, and they’re excited about working with me, which is nice. But it’s a big decision. I need to think about it for a few days.”

“Good girl. Let them sweat it out. Have you told Flynn?”

“Yes. I called him the minute I left the building.” She hadn’t told him she had misgivings about the job. She didn’t want to worry him when she didn’t know what those misgivings were. Something just felt off. “He’s thrilled for me.” She’d hoped his excitement would spur the same in her, but it just left her feeling even more unsettled.

“I knew he would be. He seems to have your best interests at heart. It’s good that the company is excited and Flynn is thrilled.”

“It is,” Sutton said cheerily.

“Well, color me impressed. You’re in LA for one day and you’re already giving Academy Award–worthy performances.”

Sutton’s shoulders slumped. Of course her grandmother would see right through her act.

“Spill it, girlie. What’s really going on?”

“I don’t know, Gram,” she admitted. “I should be on cloud nine. I just got an offer for the job I’ve always wanted, I’m head over heels for the most supportive man on the planet, and he’s not only thrilled about the job offer, but he’s also really happy with the fragmented-world piece I’ve been working on. What is it about life-changing decisions that makes me want to throw up?”

“I think the answer is in your question.”

“I don’t know what that means, and I don’t have the wherewithal to figure it out. Being here is exhausting. The traffic is insane. A drive that would’ve taken fifteen minutes in Port Hudson took almost an hour, and don’t get me started on the price of coffee, or the sheer number of people there are in this place.”

“Nobody said success was going to be stress-free or cheap.”

Sutton rolled her eyes. “I know.”

“Oh, honey, you know all major life changes are stressful. If they weren’t, you’d never know the excitement of anticipation. It’s just the fear of the unknown tickling your ribs. Are you worried that you might not be able to handle the job?”

“No. I know I can.” But I didn’t get the same flutter of excitement that I do with my current stories.

“Good, because you’ve been working toward this your whole life. But it is very far away. Maybe that’s what’s got you feeling ill at ease. You’re used to hopping on a ferry and coming home when you’re mad or sad or just need to feel grounded. Are you anxious about being that far from family?”

“Kind of, but it’s not like I can’t handle it.”

“Then there’s only one more thing I can think of that might have you on edge. Are you worried that if you move, your relationship with Flynn won’t survive?”

“Not really.” She sat on the bed and fiddled with the bracelet Flynn had made for her. She’d worn a pink blouse for the sole purpose of matching with the bracelet. They hadn’t said those three special words yet, but she felt them in every aspect of their relationship, from stolen moments at work and inside jokes to their lovemaking and late-night chats. “We’ve talked about it, and we’re both willing to do whatever it takes to make it work.” She sighed. “I don’t know what it is. Something just feels off. It’s probably just me. I’m exhausted. I think I’m going to take a hot bath and find something mindless to watch.”

“That’s probably a good idea. You’ve gone through a lot of changes lately. A little rest will do you good. If you want to talk it through, I’m always here, and just remember, whatever is supposed to happen will happen.”

I wish I knew what that was. “Thanks, Gram. I love you.”

“I love you, too, honey.”

Sutton ended the call and went to fill up the tub.

EVENING FOUND HER curled up on the hotel bed in shorts and Flynn’s Syracuse T-shirt, watching the season of Wilderness Warrior that Flynn had won and trying not to think about the decision she had to make. She sipped the milkshake she’d ordered from room service and opened her second package of peanut butter crackers, watching in awe as Flynn navigated the grueling heat and deadly wildlife of Kenya, Africa, facing water buffalo, wild cats, snakes, dehydration, and other terrifying animals and conditions. Unlike other survival shows, there was no cameraman or group of contestants banding together. Flynn was dropped in the Serengeti alone with a medical pack, a video camera, a week’s worth of rations, and a bottle of water. She’d watched the first three episodes already, and not once had he shown a moment of weakness, while the other contestants had shown many.

It was strange and exciting seeing Flynn with short hair, youthful, unmarred skin, and eyes that exuded the cool bravado and arrogance of a twenty-one-year-old who believed himself to be indestructible. His confident swagger reminded her of Noah. At thirty-four, Flynn was as confident as a warrior, though he’d learned the realities and dangers of the world. His eyes were wiser, the shadowed lenses of that younger man who had reached his dream and then realized the dream wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

Was that what was happening to her?

Her phone chimed with a text, startling her back to the moment. She smiled at Flynn’s name on the screen and paused the show. It was after nine in California, after midnight for him. She knew he’d planned on working late with Ray on trailers for upcoming episodes.

Flynn: Just got back from work. My place is lonely without you.