Chapter 22
Flynn was quiet on the way back to the scrapyard. Her run-in with the ex seemed to have unsettled her.
“Are you all right?”
She looked over at him and nodded. “I guess I just discovered some more stuff I need to let go of.”
“Dude cheated on you with your mom and then kept dating her? That’s some shit, Stiglette.”
“I know, but I still need to let it go. Obviously, that’s why I saw him. Life brings stuff up so you can let it go and move on.”
He was glad to see she was using the awkward run-in constructively.
And part of him appreciated the extra warning about her mom.
That was twice now people had compared her to a snake.
And Flynn had called her poison. Marcus knew that when people used those kinds of metaphors to describe someone, it was a sign to pay attention.
Apparently, the universe felt the need to point a bright red flashing neon warning sign in the direction of Flynn’s mother.
He glanced over at her again, not a fan of how the encounter seemed to suck the sunshine out of her. He wanted to get her attention off what were clearly painful memories. And at this point, he had only one solid idea that he knew would work.
Sex.
Maybe it wasn’t the right answer, but it was definitely an answer.
“I’d say this is our second date, wouldn’t you?”
Flynn turned her chin toward him. “I guess.”
“I’ve got two ideas about what we can do. Totally up to you. I’m good with either.”
“Okay.” Her reply was quiet and reserved.
“We can tour the scrapyard and check out Pop’s cars and some I’ve got stashed away.”
She nodded. “Sounds fun to me.”
Her enthusiasm—her real, genuine enthusiasm—was lacking.
“Or …” He paused, watching her shift her stare out the windshield. “We can have a lot of really great sex.”
Flynn’s head whipped in his direction. Her eyes were wide. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me.”
“I’m not so sure I did. At least not correctly.”
“What did you think you heard?”
“You want to have sex?”
“Just throwing the option on the table.”
“But …”
“Second date, but it’s cool if you say no. No harm, no foul. We can do whatever. I just wanted to share my thoughts on our options. Feel free to share yours.”
“You’re trying to distract me.”
“Is it working?”
“Absolutely.” She blinked and rubbed her palms on her new jeans.
“I just want to see you smile again. It was like the life drained out of you back there.”
She glanced up at him. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head as he took the corner. “You don’t need to apologize. It wasn’t something you did. I just … fuck, I like you happy. And if I can help you get back to happy, I’m willing to do just about anything.”
“Anything?”
“Almost.”
“Including sex.”
“Great sex.”
Her smile lifted the corners of her beautiful lips. “That’s awfully noble of you.”
“It’s no hardship, Stiglette.”
“Isn’t the scrapyard in action today?”
“Yeah, but no one will bother us. It’s closed tomorrow afternoon so Pop can prep for poker night.”
“So, it’s … not a good day for a tour really?”
He couldn’t help but smile. “It’s a perfect day for whatever you want.”
“Whatever I want?”
The tone of her voice almost robbed him of his breath.
“Yeah.”
“Even if what I want is you?”
“Most definitely.”
She bit down on her lower lip and grinned. “And here I thought, that might be my birthday present.”
“If you’re cool with an early birthday present, why wait?”
“Marcus,” she started.
“Yeah?”
“I think I’m falling in love with you. Before we go any further, I need you to know that. Just in case that’s not cool with you.”
His heart seemed to grow two sizes larger in his chest.
He pulled up to the green gate and reached over to take her hand.
“Hey, Flynn,” he said.
She met his gaze. “Yeah?”
“I would never have brought you here last night if I wasn’t totally and completely cool with that.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Okay.” She smiled brighter than she had the whole ride home. “So, your ego won’t be bruised at all if we take a quick scrapyard tour and check out some cool cars before we head inside for option two?”
Marcus burst out laughing. This girl …
“No, not even a little.” He reached up and pressed the button on the rearview mirror with his right hand. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”