“I have, and they’re every bit as wonderful as they seem, as are Flynn’s sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. They’re an incredible family, and they’ve made me feel very welcome.”
“One final question before I let you go. After all these years, if you could say anything to your family back home in Nebraska, what would it be?”
Without hesitation, I say, “I would tell my sisters that I love and miss them so much. And I’d love to hear from them any time.”
“They can contact Natalie through my company, Quantum Productions, in LA,” Flynn adds. “They’ll always be welcome anywhere we are.”
Carolyn reaches across the space between our chairs and puts her hand on top of ours, which are joined. “Thank you so much for talking to me today. I hope you know how awed we are by your courage and strength. I’ll be pulling for the two of you and rooting for you, Flynn, as award season continues.”
“Thanks, Carolyn,” he says.
“Yes, thank you for having us.”
“Entirely my pleasure.”
“And we’re out,” the director announces.
“That was great, you guys,” Carolyn says, rising to hug us both after we’re relieved of the microphones. She holds me for a second longer than expected. “I’m in awe of you, Natalie. Truly.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ve got one of the good guys here.”
“I’m well aware of that,” I say with a smile for Flynn.
He puts his arm around me and kisses my temple. “Are we good to go, Carolyn?”
“Yes, you are. This’ll air next week. We’ll let you know when. Thank you again, and good luck at the Oscars. Not that you’ll need it.”
“Don’t jinx him,” I say. “He’s very superstitious.”
“No jinx intended. Just stating the truth.”
Flynn kisses Carolyn’s cheek. “You were spot-on today. I won’t forget that.” He guides me from the conference room. “You wanna see my office?”
“Sure.”
It’s located at the end of a long hallway and looks out over the sprawling city of Los Angeles. “Look,” he says, pointing to the Hollywood sign in the distance. Farther to the west, I can see the Pacific.
His office is huge and modern, with three glass walls that make the most of his exceptional view. Like his home offices, the desk is stacked with piles on top of piles. “Let me guess, Addie isn’t allowed in here either.”
“That’s right. A man’s office is sacred.”
“And messy. I’d love to get my hands on all three of your so-called offices. I’d have you whipped into shape in no time.”
The look he gives me is filled with horror. “Don’t you dare!”
I’m relieved by the return of his playful side, which I’ve missed. “You’d better be nice to me, or I might be tempted.”
His arms come around me from behind. “Baby, I’m always nice to you.”
I relax into his embrace. “Yes, you are.”
He nuzzles my neck, setting off a chain reaction that has all my most important parts standing up to take notice of his nearness. “What’re you thinking about, sweetheart?”
“What you said in there… To Carolyn.”
“I said a lot of things.”
“You certainly did.”
“Do you mean about us getting married?” he asks.
“Um… yeah…”
“That surprised you?”
“Just a little.”
With his hands on my shoulders, he turns me to face him. “Where do you think this is heading? I’d marry you today if I didn’t think it was too soon for you.”
“Oh. You would?”
He frames my face in his big hands and kisses me. “You bet your ass I would. I want you to be mine, forever and always. I want to know that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together. I don’t think I’ll be able to truly relax where you’re concerned until my ring is on your finger.”
“Flynn… You take my breath away.”
“Is that a yes?”
“So wait, that was a proposal?” My heart is beating so fast, I place my hand over it, hoping to calm it.
“It was more of a fishing expedition. The actual proposal will be much more romantic than that and will include an absolutely stunning ring—a ring that will do justice to the woman I love and want to spend my life with. So no, that wasn’t an official proposal. But if it had been, hypothetically… What might your answer be?”
I love him so much when he shows me his vulnerability and that he takes nothing for granted where I’m concerned. “My answer would be…”
“Fuck, Nat! You’re killing me here.”
“Yes. I would say yes a thousand times over.”
He lifts me into a kiss. “Only a thousand?”
“A hundred million.”
After another kiss, he says, “That’s a good number, and it’s about what you’ll be worth once you say ‘I do.’”
“I don’t care about that. I hope you know—”
Another kiss. “I do, sweetheart. I know.” He returns me to terra firma and holds me close. “Did we just talk about what I think we talked about?”
“I think we did. And despite what you think, I’d marry you today, too.”
“I love you, Nat. I was so fucking proud of you during that interview. You amaze me every day, and all I can think about is keeping you forever, right here in my arms where you belong.”
“There’s nowhere else in the world I’d rather be.”