She hadn’t thought of it. Sure, she had a physical attraction to Flynn. What heterosexual woman wouldn’t? He was hot stuff. But she wasn’t looking for a relationship. Or a lover. But now both Tara and her best friend had mentioned something about her getting out there and dating.

Maybe it was time. She’d have to think about it. But she wouldn’t think about it with Flynn. He was off-limits.

She made her way back into the kitchen and worked, content to stay away from the cameras. Hours later, the party started to die down, so she helped with cleanup and then sent her staff home. When she came out front, most everyone had left with the exception of Flynn and Ken, who were sitting with Mick and Tara at one of the larger tables.

“Hey, Amelia,” Flynn said. “Come have a drink with us.”

She headed over and Flynn got up to pull a glass from behind the bar. “What would you like?” he asked.

“A glass of pinot gris would be great.”

He grabbed the bottle, uncorked it, then poured her a very large glass before handing it to her. “Thanks for tonight. If I haven’t mentioned it before, the food was outstanding. Everyone raved about it.”

“Thank you. I thought it all turned out well. You had a great showing.”

“My boss was impressed with the restaurant. And the food. Irvin loves good food and he couldn’t speak highly enough about yours. And trust me, he’s well traveled, has eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world. He’s not often awestruck.”

She took that as the compliment it was intended to be. “Thank you for that.”

They made their way over to the table and she took a seat.

“I hope you all had a good time tonight.”

Tara looked as fresh this late as she had when Amelia saw her earlier. “I had such a great night. We’re kid-free for this trip, so I get to stay out late. Our son Sam is back in St. Louis with his grandparents.”

“That must be fun for you.”

“Very fun. Not that I don’t miss our little guy, because I do. But this gives me an opportunity to go to the game and not have to contend with sticky little mustard fingers swiping down my pants, or worry about him running amok. I can also conduct some business while I’m here, which is ideal for me.”

“I’m sure that’s important for you. And relaxing at the same time.”

Mick put his arm around Tara. “She needs to meet with the manager of her place here in San Francisco. And we get a couple of date nights out of it, too. Have to keep that romance alive.”

Tara grinned. “Romance is vital.”

Amelia could feel the love between the two of them. “Yes, it definitely is.”

“They’re really sickening, those two,” Flynn said, though he smiled as he said it.

Amelia realized Flynn was alone. “Where’s Jameson?”

“I ordered a car for her and sent her back to her hotel.”

“Oh. Did she have an early flight to catch?”

“No.”

She supposed from his disgruntled expression that she shouldn’t ask any more questions about Jameson.

“She was a little fond of the cameras, wasn’t she, Flynn?” Tara asked.

“Yeah. I have a knack for finding women who are camera magnets.”

“You should let me fix you up with someone,” Tara said. “I know a lot of nice women.”

“No, thanks. After tonight’s disaster I think I’ll just take a break from women right now.”

Mick snorted.

Flynn glared at him. “What?”

“Take a break from women. Like you could do that.”

“I could.”

“No, you couldn’t.” Mick gestured with his hands. “It’s like the buffet here. You can’t resist taking a taste of everything.”

Flynn lifted his chin and Amelia noticed the firm line of his lips. “I’m not like that with women.”

“Aren’t you? You always seem to have one around.”

Flynn narrowed his gaze. “Yeah, and you were such a saint before you met Tara.”

“Hey, I never claimed to be. But I didn’t lie to myself about taking a break.”

Amelia wondered if the two of them were going to shove the chairs back and start throwing punches. She glanced over at Tara, who didn’t seem at all concerned about the argument.

Then, suddenly, Flynn laughed. “Okay, fine. Maybe I won’t take a break. But, Christ, I’d sure as hell like to find a woman who prefers me over the cameras.”

Mick slapped him on the back. “I know exactly what that’s like, buddy.”

Tension diffused. If there actually had ever been any tension. Maybe it had all been in her mind.

“Are you two always like this?” Amelia asked.

Flynn looked over at her. “Like what?”

“Arguing with each other one second, then laughing the next.”

Mick grinned. “We give each other shit all the time. Flynn knows I was just joking with him.”

Flynn laid his hand on her arm. “Were you worried about me?”

“No. Not at all. I was just wondering if I should move out of the way before one of you went flying over the table. But then I noticed Tara didn’t seem worried.”

Tara shrugged and took a sip of her wine. “I’m used to them. They’re like small boys in large bodies.”

Mick leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”




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