51. Take a Chance on Me
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
take a chance on me
LOGAN
EMERALD BAY UNIVERSITY
ONE WEEK LATER
I can’t stop sweating.
I’ve fucked this woman on a pool table, called her a good little slut, and put a butt plug inside of her. So why the hell am I so nervous about a ‘first’ date? Still, even if it feels like we’ve done everything backwards, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“She loves you, man. You need to relax,” I whisper to myself, smoothing my hair down in the bathroom mirror.
I look at my phone, checking Abi’s last text from a few hours ago for what has to be the thirtieth time.
SHORTCAKE
Be there by 8:00!
Abi’s still waiting to hear about her interview for the anthropology department, and just last week, she wound up getting a request for a zoom interview at a small college in Olympia. It would be a hell of a commute, but she’d only be teaching twice a week. We’ve got things covered with her handling my classes, but it would definitely take some weight off of her mind if she got it. Either way, we’ll make it work.
I adjust my tie one final time before grabbing my keys, along with a bouquet of roses, and heading out the door. I have the perfect first date planned: dinner at a fancy restaurant, and then a walk up to Guardian Point to go stargazing.
Summer still clings to the air as I make my way to the Orchid, the weather practically perfect with no clouds in sight. Still, you can’t be too careful about this stuff, and I double-checked the forecast to make sure there was no chance of rain.
There are kids zooming after each other on their bikes, soaking in the last bit of sunlight, and I smile as I watch a few couples walking hand in hand toward the bay.
AlI can think about is Abi and our future together. Everything has finally fallen into place and while I could lament the moments we’ve missed out on over the last three years, I think it all worked out exactly like it was supposed to.
Taking a sabbatical was a no-brainer, and it definitely took some careful reading of university policy, but I managed to find a couple of small loopholes that are… Let’s just call them open to interpretation.
And I fucking love it when things are open to interpretation.
By the time I arrive at The Orchid, I’m almost completely covered in sweat, and deeply regretting my choice to wear a suit. Luckily, the location itself is having none of my problems, the low-light, candle glow, and soft jazz music providing the perfect ambience I was hoping for.
“Good evening,” The hostess smiles at me, doing an almost perfect job pretending I don’t look like I just ran a marathon. “Do you have a reservation?”
“Yes, thank you. It’s under Dr. Flynn for 8:00pm?”
Normally I’d just rattle off my name sans-honorifics, but you have to be as pretentious as possible when $150 plates are on the line.
“Right this way, sir.”
This is pretty much the only place in Emerald Bay with a dress code, but even though I busted out my best suit, I still feel underdressed. Everyone looks so pristine, and as we walk I catch myself running my hand through my hair, in the vain, mostly subconscious hope that I’ll end up looking a little less like a cartoon character who just got electrocuted.
We arrive at the table, nestled in an almost completely private corner of the room, and I slide into my seat as the hostess places the menus down. I’m not really sure what to do with the flowers I brought, so for now they’ll just be living on my lap.
“First date?” She asks with a grin.
I nod, blushing furiously.
“Um… yeah sort of. First official date, at least. Is it that obvious?”
“A little.” She pours some water, setting the overly-fancy pitcher down in front of me. “Your server will be here in a few minutes with the wine menu.”
“Thanks.”
Yesterday, I got a new key to my house cut for Abi. It might be fast, but I’m not really sure what speed we’re supposed to be going at anymore. I want to rush us to where it feels like we should be, so we don’t waste anymore time, which also feels like it could be a serious risk. But It’s like I said, we kind of did everything backwards, and at this point I’ve pretty much thrown out the rulebook.
I check the time: 8:05.
The key feels like an anvil in my pocket, weighing me down more and more with each minute that passes by.
But it’s cool. Maybe she forgot to charge her phone.
Maybe she left it at home.
And she’s already on her way, I’m sure of it.
It’s Abi we’re talking about.
She wouldn’t ghost me.
I sip my water, flipping through the menu to kill time and keep myself sane. Half of this stuff is in French, and I don’t know enough about fine dining to really get what I’m looking at. That, and it’s impossible to focus when I keep glancing at the front door every couple seconds.
I check my phone again.
8:10.
Fuck it. I can’t help myself.
ME: Hey, straggler, I can get things started for you if you want. You want red wine or white?
I stare at the sent message, waiting for those three little dots to pop up. She’s usually pretty quick to text me back.
But tonight?
Nothing.
I pull up the browser, swiping through local news to make sure nothing’s gone wrong. No car accidents, no natural disasters… No explosions, no random acts of terror. None of the usual, or even the less-than-usual.
So where the hell is she?
“Waiting for someone?” The server asks, making her way to the table.
“Yeah.” I chuckle, locking my phone. “Looks like she’s stuck in traffic.”
“Did you want a drink to tide you over?” She tilts her head with a sad little smile. “On the house.”
Oh my god. This is the same as the last time, she thinks I’m a loser that got ditched. I even had flowers then too, there’s no way this happens to me twice in the same?—
“Oh my god, Sunshine, I am so fucking sorry!”
Abi’s practically mowing people down to get to the table. I take the key out of my breast pocket, concealing it in my palm before she has a chance to notice.
“Lydia escaped and I had to hunt around for her while I was trying to get dressed, and I just lost track of time and I think I must have dropped my phone somewhere in my apartment— I’m so sorry!”
She’s nearly out of breath but still stunning, in a floor-length crimson dress that fits her like a glove, showing off every curve of her body. Her hair is a bit mussed up, yet otherwise perfectly styled in wild dark waves. I reach up to brush a few strands away, carefully slipping the key behind a glittery rose barrette that’s pinning some of her hair back. Everyone’s expecting the classic dumb little trick where you pull the coin from behind the ear, so they’re never ready for the swerve.
And my mom said spending hours learning magic tricks on YouTube wasn’t productive.
“Is Lydia okay?” I ask.
“Oh, yeah! I found her sleeping in the bathtub.” She shakes her head, laughing softly. “I was going to text you, and then I couldn’t find my phone like I said, and?—”
“Shortcake?” I laugh. “Breathe. It’s okay. I was just worried, that's all.”
“Yep, you’re right. Breathing.” She takes a few big ones, holding and releasing just like she learned from Iggy. “Oh, I also got great news.”
“You got the job in Olympia?”
“No! I totally bailed on it and watched an episode of Real Housewives instead— Oh, are these for me?!” She picks up the bouquet of roses, giving them a quick sniff. “Logan, they’re gorgeous.”
I help her into her seat, kissing her on the cheek and making sure the key is still tucked behind her barrette. It’s not like Abi to just ditch an interview, not unless she’s extremely confident about something else, but I’m curious what it could possibly be.
“Actually, I sort of lied about why I was late,” she says.
“You got me all worked up about a rat escape for nothing?”
“Not for nothing.” She leans back in her chair. “Officially got my offer for the adjunct position and signed the paperwork today. I start in January.”
I’m no Great Madame Mavis, but I knew Abi had that job in the bag the second her interview got rescheduled. I’m brimming with excitement, so much so that I don’t really know what to do with my hands except reach out and squeeze hers.
Everything is falling into place.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I laugh.
“Because I wanted to see the look on your face! Also, I had to go and pick up my office key, and sign my contract, all in this dress!”
“You know, it’s against the rules for you to be that hot on campus now.”
She rolls her eyes, dipping her fingers into her water glass and flicking a few droplets at me.
“Oh, you wanna have a wet t-shirt contest in here, Shortcake? Because I’ve got a lot of experience, and almost zero shame.”
She grins.
“Maybe I do. Show me those bosoms, Flynn.”
“Alright, you asked for it,” I sigh, loosening my tie and beginning to undo the buttons on my shirt. “But you’re about to get us put on a list.”
She snickers, but thankfully my commitment to the bit is interrupted by the server making her way back toward us. I quickly button my shirt back up and clear my throat as she approaches the table.
“You folks look like you could use some wine.”
She sets the menu down in front of me, and this time everything is in French.
I default to Abi, sliding it toward her.
“You pick. It’ll be super embarrassing if I try to pronounce any of this.”
“Dangerous game, Flynn,” she teases, scanning the menu with eager eyes. “How about the Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil-sur-Oger?”
“We have a 2002 or a 2004,” the server says, grabbing her notepad and pen from her pocket.
“Which is better?” Abi asks.
“The 2002 is pricier, but it’s worth it.”
“We’ll take it!” I chirp.
“Excellent choice. I’ll be right back with a bottle.”
She scoops up the menu and strides away, leaving the two of us grinning from ear to ear.
“So?” She prompts, nudging me under the table with her foot. “How about you? How’s the first week of sabbatical?”
“Fantastic. I slept until 10:00, and then I got straight to work… watching Scooby Doo and the Ghoul School in my pajamas.”
“A classic!” She gushes. “God, I can’t believe I missed out on that! Why do I have to be the one with a real job?”
“Hey, you’re welcome over anytime you want! But, actually…” I tilt my head, squinting at her. “Can you check your hair? I think there’s something caught behind your barrette.”
She tilts her head, a wry half-smile creeping over her face.
“What did you hide?”
I sip my water, wiggling my eyebrows as she starts to dig around for it.
“What is this?” She lets out a nervous giggle, holding the key out in front of her. “Oh, is it the key to your heart?”
“Oh, Shortcake. You got that a long time ago.”
“Such a sap, Doctor Flynn.”
She turns it over in her palm, chewing on her lip. I think she already knows what it’s for, she’s just a little too scared to ask.
“Well, being sappy is my bread and butter.” I take a breath, trying desperately to calm my racing heart. “But, to answer your question, that’s… Well, it’s the key to my house. When you’re ready, and I do mean when you’re really ready… I’d like you to move in with me.”
Okay. Got it out there.
It can’t hurt me now.
Except if she says no.
Yeah, that would probably kill me, not gonna lie.
“I gotta say, Flynn, this is a hell of a commitment for a first date.”
“Abi, I’ve licked your asshole, and that was after I proposed to you with a ring pop. I don’t really think doing things by the book is on the table for us anymore.”
I grasp her hand, leaning down to kiss her knuckles, something she’s affectionately dubbed my ‘prince charming move.’ I’ve been busting it out at least twice as often since she named it, because how could I not?
This whole thing feels like a fairy tale.
“I want to be clear, I absolutely want to do things at your pace, okay? However fast or slow you wanna take this, I’m in. I just wanted to show you… I don’t know, I wanted to show you where I’m at.”
“My lease is up in like two months.”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile so wide.
“Plenty of time to get Flynn Manor ready for you, milady.”
The relief is so powerful I can feel a shiver run all the way across my body, but luckily for me she’s far too enamored with the key to notice. We sit together in silence for a while, just grinning at each other like idiot-teens in love for the first time, until the server returns with our champagne.
“To your new job and to new beginnings.”
“And to us,” she grins.
“And to us.”
“Did you know that there are only 9,096 stars in the sky that are actually visible to the naked eye?”
“Really?”
Guardian Point is the perfect place to go stargazing, the skies so clear that you can see everything. The trees that stretch toward the sky, the way the moonlight makes the water shimmer at practically any angle… no picture or painting will ever do this place justice. It was actually the place that first convinced me to move to Emerald Bay.
“Yep. You need a telescope for the rest of them.”
“Makes these ones extra special then I guess, huh?”
She rests her head on my chest, staring up into the infinity above us.
“You know, I always wanted to be an astronomer,” she sighs. “I liked the idea of trying to learn everything about the cosmos. I even took some classes in university, but I almost failed because I sucked at math.”
I chuckle.
“I wanted to be a physicist when I was a kid. I liked to take stuff apart and figure out how it all worked, but I also sucked at math. Still do, actually.”
“Algebra will get you every time.”
“It’s the stupid letters,” I grumble. “What are they even for?”
“You got me. Maybe that’s why we sucked at it. There was one specific thing we just couldn’t quite wrap our heads around.”
“Yeah, you’re absolutely right.” I nod my head sagely. “If I had to single out one specific thing, I think I’d have to say it was probably the math.”
She snorts, slapping me on the thigh as I run my fingers gently through her hair. We’re full of overpriced chicken, champagne, and shiraz, but it was all worth it. There’s a softness to her features now, and a hell of a lot less anxiety weighing on her.
“I’ll never get over how beautiful you are.”
“Shut up,” she laughs.
I’ve never had a love like Abi before, and I’m so lucky I’ll never need to find another.
“I’m serious.” I stroke her cheek. “Every time I catch you looking at me, it’s like my brain stops working.”
She fiddles with my tie, scrunching up her nose as she rolls it up and down my chest.
“What’s going on up there, Shortcake?”
She lets out a contented sigh, a little smile spreading across her face. I could stare at her forever. That little button nose, and those eyes that tell you everything without her having to say a word.
“I just can’t believe this is finally happening.”
Her laughter rings out through the night.
It’s not just joyous, but hopeful.
Magical.
I let my fingers dance through her hair, a lump forming in my throat as I remember some of my dad’s final words to me.
Promise me you’ll fall in love. Because at the end of the day…
“There’s nothing else that matters…”
It hurts that he’ll never meet the woman who changed my life, but I know that wherever he is in the universe, he’s giving me that little wink of approval just like he used to.
“Hey, you okay?” She asks. “What was that you said?”
“Nothing,” I grin, beaming down at her. “Nothing at all.”