Chapter 9
Marcus was amazed. Not just by her admission, but by how easily she had charmed his dad and held her own with his family.
She was smart, funny, beautiful, and charismatic.
When in doubt, she opted for bold truth and humor.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so much with a woman who wasn’t part of his family.
He knew Ma and his sisters had reservations that didn’t depend on the girl, but them wanting the best for him. He could respect that, but even Ma was smiling at Flynn by the middle of dinner.
“You’ve really been trying to get his attention for four years?”
“Yep,” she said with a drink of homemade lemonade that she had helped Ma squeeze. “I thought it was a lost cause.”
“God bless St. Jude Thaddeus, patron saint of lost causes,” Ma said, crossing herself and lifting a hand to the heavens. “From my lips to God’s ears, I’ve prayed to him a few times for Marcus myself.”
His sisters and their husbands chuckled around the table.
“Seriously, Ma?”
“What? It’s the truth.”
“Don’t you have plenty of grandchildren already?” Marcus asked.
“I’d always love more,” she said, then looked at Flynn. Marcus knew exactly what was coming next. “Flynn, do you want kids?”
Instead of choking on her lemonade, Flynn replied, “I always thought two or three would be great. With the right person.”
Ma nodded approvingly. “Definitely the right person. That’s a key. Marcus will make an excellent father.”
“He is a great uncle,” Melanie said.
“He always plays,” Ange added.
“Thanks, buddy,” he said to his nephew before smiling at his niece. “I appreciate that, Mel.”
“And you give good birthday presents,” Cesar added.
The adults at the table burst into another round of laughter.
“Truth from the mouths of babes,” Ma said.
“She gets it, Ma.”
“What? You never know how a man will be. It’s good to have character references from more than just his mother.”
Flynn’s smile lit up her face. “I mean, four years of having a crush on him … I do think I showed good taste there.”
The whole crew was laughing, and Marcus couldn’t help but smile at Flynn.
What am I going to do with her? His first choice right now was to take her home and to bed. And maybe even take Dani’s advice.
A surge of something he didn’t need to be feeling at his family dinner table shot through him.
“I like this one. Bring her back next week,” said his brother-in-law Christopher.
Carrie, his wife, agreed. “Glad we’re all on the same page here.”
A hint of pink bloomed on Flynn’s cheeks. “Thanks, guys. This has been really nice. You’re all … really awesome.”
“Of course we are. We’re Quinterros,” Pop said.
Flynn’s gaze turned glassy. She pushed her chair away from the table and stood. “Do you mind excusing me to use the powder room for a moment?”
“Of course not, dear. Down the hall, second door on the left.”
As soon as she was gone, Dani’s husband, Tony, said, “Marry that one. Mark my words: she’s a keeper.”
Pop spoke up next. “I liked her four years ago. You bring her back around again.”
“She’s sweet and funny. As long as she is what she seems, she gets my vote too,” Dani said.
Zoe and his mom remained silent.
“I’ll be back,” he said, pushing away from the table. “I’m going to check on her.”
Before they could say more, he crossed the living room and took the hallway Flynn had just walked down.
He heard the sound of the toilet flushing and then the water turn on. He didn’t know what he’d seen on her face, but his family could be a lot, and excusing herself with glassy eyes was worth a question.
He tapped on the door.
“Just a moment. I’ll be right out.”
“Flynn, it’s me. Open the door.”
“Just a second.”
The water turned off, followed by the squeak of the towel ring.
The door opened about twenty seconds later, and he scanned her face. She looked like she had just splashed it with water.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Marcus hadn’t been born five minutes ago either. Fine could mean anything from a woman. “You looked like you were going to cry. Are you sure you’re all right?”
She blinked a few times, and her eyes turned glassy again.
“Whoa. Whoa. What’s that for?”
“Your family’s so nice. So … perfect. I don’t know what I’m doing here.”
“You’re having family dinner.”
“With a guy who has ignored me for four years, and now I’m being vetted for a wife and mother by your family. And they’re all so amazing. And so awesome. And …”
“And what?” He stepped into the bathroom and shut the door behind him.
“And you’ve never even kissed me,” she whispered. “Like, what are we even doing here?”
Marcus’s heart thudded against his ribs. “Moving to step two, Flynn.” He cupped her cheek and lifted her face upward as he lowered his mouth to hers.
“What? Here? Now?”
“No time like the present.” He silenced her with his lips against hers.
It was the quickest kiss of his life. He barely gave her enough time to kiss him back. But it was the only way he could answer her question.
When he pulled back, he told her, “If we weren’t in my parents’ house … that would go a lot differently.”
Her cheeks flushed red, but her green eyes were clear and wide.
“I can’t believe you just did that.”
“The club’s closed today. I’ve got the night off. I’m taking you out.”
“You are?” Flynn blinked.
“I’m sure as shit not ready to take you home and drop you off.”
“Me neither.”
“Good.” He settled a hand on her hip. “There’s something between us. And I like how this feels.”
“Me too,” she replied quietly. “So, what exactly is step two?”
“More.”
“More what?”
“Everything.”
A small smile had Flynn pressing her lips together. “Okay. So, now what?”
“We go have dessert.”