to make things harder on me. She took off from New York because of this shit.”
“She took off for you, Flynn. There are thousands of other cities she could’ve settled in, but she came straight here. Wren looked. She doesn’t have any other connections to this city. Only you.”
I’ve let myself think the same thing, but I didn’t want to be so egotistical about it. She came to town to put me in my place, and she could’ve left again at any point, but she settled in—somewhat, considering she’s still living in a hotel—got a job and is working less than ten minutes from my office.
“She’s playing hard to get.”
“And what are you going to do when you catch her?”
I smile. “Make her mine.”
“Atta boy. Now get out of here. I have a pregnant wife to get back to.”
Chapter 34
Remington
It’s possible that my shoes are finally broken in the way I need them to be, or it’s the simple fact that Flynn is showing the interest in me that I desire, but I’m light as a feather on my walk to work this morning.
Humming the song that was playing this morning while I showered, I move my feet a little faster. I know he’s going to show up again today, and although I know I have to ignore him like I did yesterday, today will be more difficult. My cheeks heat with the possibility of getting to sneak glances his way. I may even give in a little and bring him a cup of coffee.
Plans on how I can tease him while I’m working have me distracted. I blame Flynn’s ability to take over all my thoughts for turning the corner to work and making it halfway up the block before I notice the swarm of paparazzi. The flash of bulbs and cries of my name stop me in my tracks. I’ve been through this a million times, and not once have I ever been unsure of how to act. I don’t have security with me nor a chauffeured car to dive into to get away from them. I’m on foot, in my ill-fitting Paddy’s uniform, standing in the middle of the sidewalk like a deer caught in headlights.
My time here was supposed to be different. They weren’t supposed to find me. I’m no longer part of my parents’ world. They have bigger stories to chase after. A girl working to earn a living isn’t a story. It happens with millions every damn day.
My hands are trembling, my feet urging me to move, but I don’t know what to do as they move toward me. I have a shift I need to get to. I know how lucky I am that Sam hired me. I know I’ll struggle to find another job, just as much as I know fighting through the crowd of cameras and too personal questions, that even if I make it inside the pub, I’ll no longer have a job. Paddy’s is lowkey. Sam isn’t the type of man to use this situation to make more money. His place does well without the help of ridiculous front-page stories in crappy gossip columns.
I squeal when strong arms lift me off my feet.
“You just gonna stand there and let them get you, pretty girl?”
His voice is light, and I know it’s an attempt to help me calm down, but his hold is strong and unrelenting. He’s no happier about the sharks swimming toward me than I am.
When he turns me in his arms, I bury my nose in his neck, grateful he’s here with me.
“Let’s get out of here,” he says, his lips pressed against my temple.
His scent envelops me as his long strides carry me away, and I’m reluctant to let go of him when he tugs open the door of a vehicle and settles me in the seat.
“I love your arms around me, baby, but if you don’t let go, they’re going to catch up.”
Reluctantly, my arms fall away. Flynn brushes his lips against mine before telling me to put on my seatbelt. He hurries around the front of the truck, jumping and putting it in drive before the first wave of paparazzi makes it around the corner.
Cameras flash as he speeds away from the curb, and I do my best to cover my face.
“I’m nobody,” I hiss, my emotions getting the best of me. “Why are they even bothering?”
“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, Remi. You’re not nothing. You’re everything.”
I don’t have the emotional