by Lucy Clark
‘Wha—? Flynn?’ She closed her eyes and shook her head for a moment. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘I want to help you and your friends. I can help by relocating Melva and your other neighbours.’ His words were intense and earnest. ‘And…’ he held up a hand ‘…before you say I’m doing what all wealthy people do and throwing money at the problem, I want you to know that’s not entirely true. My intentions are pure and honourable. Even if these people weren’t your friends, even if they were complete strangers, if I’d heard about their hardship, I would still have wanted to help.’
Reggie thought on his words for a moment, seeing the truth in his eyes. He seemed so completely animated at the idea, his eyes twinkling with anticipatory delight. She wished he wouldn’t look at her that way because right now he was far too handsome for his own good and that simply made it all the more difficult for her to keep her distance. Besides, who was she to stop him from helping others? ‘I think that would be a nice thing to do, Flynn. Thank you.’
‘So you’ll accept my help?’
‘Yes. I think my neighbours and I would be very grateful for your help, especially if you can help with relocation. Trying to find a new place to live this close to Christmas? It really would take a Christmas miracle to pull it off.’
‘Then be prepared for a miracle.’ He stood and returned to the stove, expertly flipping the pancake. ‘Because I already have a plan with regard to temporary accommodation for you and your neighbours.’
‘You do?’
‘Yes. I’ve had a look online and there’s a small apartment complex, near shops and public transport, with three partially furnished vacant apartments.’
‘Three?’
‘Yes. One for Melva, once she’s ready to leave hospital, and the other two for your other neighbours.’
‘What about me?’ she asked, her tone a little indignant.
‘Ah. Now, for you I have the perfect place. It’s not going to be too far from Melva and the others, it’s close to the hospital, it’s furnished and the landlord has said you can move in today.’
‘Today? It sounds like a miracle. Where is this place?’
Flynn winked at her and spread his arms wide. ‘It’s here. You’re going to live with me!’
CHAPTER FOUR
‘WHAT?’
Reggie stared at him as though he’d grown another head but Flynn either didn’t notice or didn’t care. ‘Live…with you?’ Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest at the mere thought of living with Flynn, of sharing the same intimate space as him, of seeing him last thing at night and first thing in the morning. She was glad she was sitting down as her entire body had turned into a trembling mass of jelly.
‘Why not? It makes perfect sense. I have a spare room and you’ll have sole use of the bathroom. I can use the en suite and we work at the same hospital.’ He shrugged one shoulder. ‘It makes perfect sense.’
‘And you’re sure this other place you’ve found only has three free apartments?’
He smiled and nodded as though humouring an indulgent child. ‘Yes, Reg.’
Could he hear the hysteria in her voice, see the panic in her eyes? She was positive he could from the way he was still trying to sell her on the idea. ‘So what do you say, new roomie? Let’s start the day with a healthy…’ he stopped and looked down at the pancakes ‘…or sort of healthy breakfast.’
Reggie continued to gape at him, her mouth hanging open as he plated up his pancake and carried it to the table. Before he sat down, he removed bowls of fresh strawberries and whipped cream from the fridge, placing them on the table next to the maple syrup. As far as he was concerned, this was a done deal. She had no say in it and anger started to replace her earlier incredulity.
‘I am not moving in here.’ She enunciated each word crisply.
He considered her words for a moment then asked logically, ‘So where will you go?’ He added strawberries, cream and syrup to his pancake, behaving as though this was just another ordinary breakfast conversation.
‘I’ll go to a hotel for a while.’
‘And waste your money when there’s a perfectly good room—free of charge—here for you? Until the insurance money comes in, you’re better off using your funds to buy clothes and shampoo and other essentials you’ll need, rather than having to pay for accommodation.’ His words were matter-of-fact and logical and she hated him for them.
She sighed again, her frustration clear. Didn’t he realise that with what had happened between them, with the way he’d taken her to the highest of highs when he’d confessed his love and proposed to her then plummeted her to the lowest of lows less than twenty-four hours later when he’d broken her heart by cancelling their engagement, that there was no way she could move in with him?
‘Mmm, smells good.’ He pointed to her plate. ‘Come on, Reg. Eat up. We’re due at the hospital in an hour’s time.’
‘What?’ She blinked at him in astonishment. ‘You’re not even going to suggest I take the day off? That given the circumstances of my recent emotional trauma, of losing practically everything I own, except for my laptop, my phone and the clothes on my back, I shouldn’t stay in bed and rest?’
‘I know you, remember.’ He leaned over and spooned some strawberries onto her pancake. ‘Regardless of what may or may not be happening in your life, the last thing you would ever do is let your patients down. You’re not about to cancel a fully booked outpatient clinic because of personal reasons. You and I both know that being with your patients, helping them out and making their lives just that little bit easier, is going to be the best medicine to take your mind off things…at least, for a little while.’
She frowned at him. He did know her, at least on some levels. On other levels…she’d kept a lot hidden from him, previously rationalising that they had a lifetime together to discover all there was to know about each other.
‘True. Working will help me to process everything that’s happened,’ she rationalised, including Flynn’s offer for her to stay with him. ‘Working will keep my mind focused.’ She would go to work, see her patients, help people out, spread a little sunshine, as Flynn had termed it, and then, she was sure, life would seem a little clearer. At least, so she hoped. She looked down at her pancakes and breathed in appreciatively. ‘These do smell good.’
‘They taste good, too.’ He ate another mouthful and winked at her, the action causing Reggie’s insides to start fluttering. Why was it that one simple look from him, whether it was a wink or a smile or one of his long stares across a crowded room, made her feel so…special, so unique, so feminine? Flynn had always had been able to turn her insides to mush, to make her want to fan her face because her cheeks were tinged with heat from excited embarrassment. Now was no exception and it was far easier to concentrate on eating than trying to avoid his hypnotic gaze.
She really had no intention of permanently staying here with him because even the thought of living under the same roof as Flynn set her entire body on fire. The man was too dangerous at the best of times but to be around him both at work and at home, no doubt dreaming about him whilst she slept, would make it nigh on impossible for her to keep her emotions in check.
Still, his offer did solve her immediate problem so for the moment she would just let everything roll. She would have breakfast and a shower, mentally and figuratively washing the grime of yesterday away before popping over to Mackenzie’s to borrow some clean clothes. She was glad he’d mentioned that he’d use the en suite because even thinking about standing naked beneath Flynn’s shower, with him in the same house, made her feel all flushed with self-consciousness. Perhaps it would be better to just go to Mackenzie’s and shower there.
After eating half of her pancake and enjoying her coffee, she was about to tell him of her plans when he beat her to it.
‘I need to dash to the shops before we head to the hospital so why don’t you make free use of the place? Wash away all the bad things that happened yesterday and reconnect
with your usual optimistic self?’ He smiled encouragingly as he said the words. ‘Oh, and I contacted Mackenzie last night and she’s brought over some clothes for you. They’re in the drawers and the cupboard in the spare room—or your room as it now is.’
‘You…contacted Macken—’ She stopped and shook her head, unable to believe how thoughtful he’d been. ‘It would have been very late.’
‘Your friends love you, Reg.’ He spoke softly and with sincerity. ‘They don’t care what time of day or night it is, they’re there for you. That type of friendship is rare and incredibly special.’ He looked down at his plate for a moment before meeting her gaze once more. ‘Only a fool would throw away such a thing.’
His words were slightly pointed and she wondered whether he was calling himself a fool. Was he admitting that he’d made a mistake all those years ago? Was he saying he wanted to reinstate himself into her friendship circle? Was he a friend who…loved her?
Reggie found it difficult to look away. There, seated opposite her, was the man who had always been in perfect control. He’d been immaculately groomed and dressed from the first day they’d met in Sint Maarten. Being raised in a wealthy, controlled environment where most decisions had been pre-set for him had been something he hadn’t even thought of rebelling against until he’d met her. He’d told her she’d liberated him, shown him a different side to life, and that his love was hers forever. And she’d stupidly believed him. She should be wary not to make the same mistakes twice.
She tried to swallow but found her throat exceedingly dry. Reaching for her orange juice, she was surprised to find her hand trembling a little. Still, drinking the cool, refreshing liquid helped to break the intense moment.
‘Had enough?’ he asked, pointing to her plate and breaking the moment. She nodded quickly, not trusting her voice to work. Flynn stood and quickly cleared the table. She watched him for a few minutes as he moved comfortably around the kitchen. He had such swift and defined movements, those broad shoulders of his looking firm and in control, the material from his crisp, white shirt pulling tautly across his triceps.
Reggie breathed out slowly, her gaze hungrily taking in every nuance of the man. She swallowed and cleared her throat, and when he looked her way, she realised she quickly looked away. ‘Er…’ She racked her sluggish mind for something to say. ‘Breakfast was delicious. Whoever taught you to cook did a good job.’
‘That would have been my cooking teacher at the community centre.’ His tone dipped a little as he spoke, his eyebrows raised in silent question, his eyes letting her know he’d been well aware of her visual caresses.
Reggie frowned and looked away. ‘Not your wife?’
‘My ex-wife,’ he replied pointedly, then shook his head. ‘She had no idea how to cook either. One of my patients put me onto the class and the next thing I knew I was learning how to make a beef Wellington.’
‘You can do a beef Wellington? I can’t even do that.’
He grinned. ‘Then I shall have to make you one.’ He gave the countertops a final wipe. ‘Perhaps there are quite a few things you don’t realise about me.’ Like how he was determined to show her he’d changed, that he was willing to make amends for the way he’d treated her all those years ago, like how he was almost desperate for her forgiveness.
‘Perhaps,’ she said, surprised at the huskiness in her voice. What was it about this man that set her alight so instantly? They’d met, they’d worked together, they’d tried to fight the natural attraction that had sprung up between them but had failed. Flynn had confessed that perhaps it was a good thing, perhaps the mutual chemistry they felt for each other was one of those rare gifts that shouldn’t be ignored, so they hadn’t bothered to try ignoring it at all and thus had begun the happiest, most wonderful weeks of Reggie’s life. Flynn holding her. Flynn laughing with her. Flynn kissing her.
Six weeks. They’d known each other for just six weeks. Friendly colleagues for two weeks, dating for two more and then falling in love for two blissful weeks. So fast, so quick, so incredibly perfect.
As he stared back at her from the other side of the kitchen, she really felt powerless to look away, as though the past and the present were colliding and both of them could sense it. When her cellphone rang, she almost jumped out of her skin. Flynn chuckled before reaching across to the bench where he’d obviously put it last night. He’d even plugged it in to recharge the battery. How thoughtful. She frowned for a moment. Had he been this thoughtful six years ago?
‘Mackenzie,’ he remarked, looking at the picture of her friend that had come up on the display.
‘Oh…uh…thanks.’ Reggie rose from her chair and accepted the phone, taking it into the spare room so she could have some privacy. ‘Mackenzie?’
‘How are you doing this morning?’
‘I’m at Flynn’s place!’ She leaned back against the door, ensuring it was closed. ‘I must have been so tired he brought me home with him and put me to bed!’ Her words were half whispered, half squeaked as she spoke at the speed of light.
‘I know.’ Mackenzie chuckled.
‘Oh, of course you do. You came over and helped him by delivering some clothes! Why didn’t you wake me up?’
‘Not on your life, Reggie. You needed sleep.’ Mackenzie said in her best motherly voice. ‘Flynn sent me, Bergan and Sunainah a text message telling us you were staying with him. I think it’s a great idea.’
‘But he doesn’t just want me to stay for last night, he wants me to move in with him.’
‘I know.’
‘Do you know everything? Does everyone else know what’s going on in my life except me?’
‘It’s not like that, Reggie.’
‘And I’ll bet you all think this is a good idea? Are you insane? This is Flynn we’re talking about. The man who broke my heart into tiny little pieces and scattered them to the wind.’
‘I remember.’
‘I cried on your shoulder, I ate too much ice cream, I went over and over everything he’d ever said to me, trying to figure out what I’d done wrong to chase him away.’
‘I remember.’
‘I talked about him ad nauseam, I drove you insane. I told you time and time again that I was over him but I was just kidding myself and then, when I finally did get over him and moved on with my life, he swaggers back in and takes over.’
‘He’s not taking over. He’s only trying to be nice and helpful, especially as since it’s Christmas the majority of hotels are already booked up. Add to that the fact that Bergan doesn’t have room because Richard’s parents are coming home for Christmas, Sunainah’s place is full because she married into a ready-made family and I have one of John’s sisters and her family arriving the day after tomorrow.’
Reggie slid down the door, crumpling into a heap on the carpet, realising the truth of what Mackenzie was saying. ‘I’d forgotten all that.’
‘Not surprising. Look, honey, I’m not trying to make light of you losing everything in the fire, it’s completely devastating and it will take a while for you to process things, both with the mounds of insurance paperwork and on an emotional level, but staying at Flynn’s keeps you close to us, to your family, and right now you need to be surrounded by family. We’re all here for you and we’ll do whatever we can to help—and so will Flynn,’ she added. ‘He’s a good guy, Reggie, and no matter what happened between the two of you all those years ago, you know, deep down inside, that it’s true.’
‘It’s not a question of whether he’s good or not, Mackenzie, it’s a question of whether or not I can resist him,’ Reggie blurted.
‘Oh.’ Mackenzie said the word slowly as though realisation was just dawning. ‘Ah. Yes. I hadn’t thought of things from that angle, just the logistics of your present predicament.’
‘Well, start thinking that way. I can’t stay here with Flynn. I can’t stop staring at him, remembering how it felt to be held by him, to be kissed by him, to be in love with him.’ She closed her eyes, the
pain from her past beginning to return. ‘He hurt me, Mackenzie, and, yes, it’s all in the past, but what if I allow myself to get close to him and he hurts me again?’
‘What if he doesn’t? Reggie, the one thing I remember you telling me a few years after you’d broken up was that you thought Flynn had never really opened up to you, that the attraction between you two had happened so fast—’
‘And the break-up even faster,’ Reggie put in.
‘That at times you wondered if you ever really knew him. Plus,’ Mackenzie continued before Reggie could say another word, ‘there was also a lot about your past that you never told him.’
Reggie opened her eyes and looked at the blank mushroom-coloured wall opposite her. ‘True.’
‘Maybe this is the chance to rectify that.’
‘What point is there in opening up to him now? Rehashing the wounds of my past?’
‘Call it finishing unfinished business. You always wondered how Flynn would react once he learned who you really were. Now is your chance. Who knows? It might be cathartic. Once he knows the truth of your past, if he reacts the way you always thought he would—’
‘By rejecting me, like everyone else from that world,’ she interrupted again.
‘Then it might help you get him out of your system once and for all. Then you can really move forward with your life.’
‘I have moved forward,’ Reggie declared, not wanting to open the box she’d hidden in the back of her mind, the one she’d marked ‘Do Not Open’. ‘I’ve changed a lot. I’m happier than I used to be. I’ve put myself out there. I’ve dated other men and—’
‘And secretly used Flynn as your yardstick the entire time. No man was ever good enough. Or, on the flip side, you’d end up solving your date’s problems and helping them get back together with their old girlfriends.’ It was Mackenzie’s turn to interrupt. ‘Think about it, Reggie. You and Flynn have unfinished business. Talk to him. You might be surprised at what you discover.’
