Chapter 11
His self-control was not lacking, but as sure as the sky was blue, it was being tested.
He hadn’t lied. He had seen her. He noticed her. Over and over and over again. He had said no fucking way just as many times. She wasn’t a serious kind of girl. She would never want a guy like him. She was too wild to ever want a family, especially with him.
Or so he told himself.
Only to find out he had been dead wrong.
Flynn was sweet, funny, down-to-earth, honest, beautiful, loved his family, and they liked her. And she thought nothing in her life had ever sounded quite as good as being pregnant with his baby.
For Marcus, it was enough to bring him to his knees.
The one girl he’d always counted out and written off had surprised him in more ways than he ever could’ve imagined. And now, he had to keep his hands off her for at least one more day because he’d been too close-minded to see what had been right in front of his face for years.
“Whatever I say, huh?”
Flynn nodded with her lips pressed together, as if she was trying to hold back her huge smile.
“You are quite the surprise—you know that?”
“I can only imagine.”
“You’ve really been thinking about this for years?”
“Like I told your family, I almost gave up hope.”
“Why didn’t you? I was such a prick.”
Flynn folded her hands in her lap. “I don’t really know. I told myself if I turned twenty-five and you were still ignoring me, I’d move on with my life and find someone else.”
Marcus’s heart panged at the thought of missing his chance. “When’s your birthday?”
“Tuesday.”
“What?”
Flynn nodded, looking straight ahead.
“This Tuesday?”
She kept nodding.
“I almost—”
“I told you, I almost gave up hope.”
I almost missed my shot with her. It was unthinkable now, after seeing her in his childhood home, watching her with Pop, seeing Mel whisper in her ear as she hugged her, hearing Dani give her approval, and his nephews calling her pretty … I almost fucking missed it.
But God had sent him a dream. Just like last time. Except this time, it had been totally different.
Marcus gripped the steering wheel tighter. “What do you want to do for your birthday? I’ll take the night off.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t have to, Flynn. I want to.”
“Really?” Surprise colored her tone.
“Absolutely. We both have a reason to celebrate. I didn’t know how lucky I was until just now.”
She stared at him across the car. “You really mean that?”
“Yeah, I really do.”
She sighed. “How are you even better in real life?”
He grinned. “Glad you approve. It would suck if you didn’t because I’m getting hooked on you. Fast.”
“Good,” she said. “You’ve got some catching up to do.”
Marcus sucked in a breath. He didn’t know how she did it, but in less than twenty-four hours, he was ready to go all in with this girl.
“I’ll walk you inside,” he said as he double-parked in front of her building and pushed the button for the hazard lights.
“And leave this car running? Here? No way.”
“You still don’t know me that well yet, Stiglette. It’s just a car. A sweet car, no doubt. But you … you’re irreplaceable.”
She let out another sigh. “I could melt into this carbon fiber bucket right now.”
Marcus chuckled. “Good. But let’s get you inside so you can change. I’ll be back in two hours.”
He hopped out of the car and was impressed she let him open her door.
“Why do you call me Stiglette?” she asked as she took his outstretched hand.
“After The Stig from Top Gear. You know, the driver whose face you never saw. You’ve seen it, right?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“You’re The Stiglette. It fits.”
As they reached the door, Morty held it open.
“Mr. Quinterro. Ms. Elliott.”
“Thanks, Morty. How are you?”
“Can’t complain, Ms. Elliott. Did you all have a nice afternoon?”
“The best,” Flynn replied, and Marcus felt like his entire body was smiling.
“Glad to hear it.” He looked at Marcus. “I’ll keep an eye on your beauty outside while you say goodbye to this one.”
“Thank you, Morty. Much appreciated. I’ll be back in a couple of hours to pick her up.”
“Yes, sir.” The doorman stepped outside onto the curb, leaving them in the empty lobby alone.
“The best, huh?”
“Yeah,” Flynn said as she smiled up at him. “Definitely the best.”
“You think you can be ready in two hours?”
“Where are we going?”
“I have no idea, but that’s as long as I can wait.”
“I can be ready in an hour.” Her smile was irresistible.
Marcus slid an arm around her lower back and pulled her against him.
“Thank God,” he said before he kissed her.
This time, Flynn curled her hand around the back of his head and pulled his mouth harder against hers.
“Hold that thought,” he said against her lips. “More of this later.”
“Okay,” Flynn said with a laugh. “Whatever you say, Marcus.”