VALOROUS (A Quantum Novel)(39)

Flynn glances at me. I can tell just by looking at him that he’d rather be alone, but these are his closest friends and business partners—two of whom I haven’t met yet. “A party sounds fun.”

“Yay!” Marlowe claps her hands in delight. “I left my phone inside. I’ll go make the calls.”

When we’re alone, Flynn puts his arm around me and steals a kiss. “You’re sure this is all right?”

“It’s perfect. Look at this night and this ring and this view and my gorgeous fiancé. So much to celebrate.”

“I love to see you glowing with happiness.”

“I’m glowing because of you. Because you love me.”

“I love you so f*cking much.”

“And you wonder why I’m glowing.”

We stand there like that, wrapped up in each other, until Marlowe returns. “Everyone is coming, and they’re bringing booze and more food. I love a party that comes together without me having to do anything other than decide to have it.”

Her excitement is contagious. What am I doing at Hayden Roth’s Malibu beach house about to party with Marlowe Sloane and my new fiancé, Flynn Godfrey? It’s beyond surreal, but it’s also my life now. My new life. With a pang of regret, I think of my kids in New York and hope they’re getting by without me.

“You okay, sweetheart?” he asks, tuned in to me as always.

“Yeah, I’m great.” I’m better than I’ve been in eight long years.

“Hey, Mo, what’d you make for dinner?”

“Enchiladas, baby! Is there anything else?”

Flynn laughs. “Marlowe can’t cook anything other than Mexican. We think she might’ve been kidnapped from a Mexican family at some point.”

“What can I say? I’ve got tamales in my blood. Margaritas for everyone, coming right up!” She goes back inside to make the drinks.

Flynn’s phone rings, and when he checks it, he grimaces. “I’ve got to take this.”

“I’ll go help Marlowe.” I start to walk away, but he brings me back for a kiss.

“I’m good now. You can go.”

He makes me light-headed with the way he loves me. It’s all-consuming and overwhelming in the best possible way. Inside, I find Marlowe in the kitchen running the blender as she mixes the drinks.

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Crack open that bottle of tequila.”

“Got it.” I twist the top off the bottle and hand it to her. “Hey, Marlowe?”

“What’s up?”

“Can you recommend a good doctor here? A female preferably.”

“Are you sick?”

“I’m fine. I just need, you know…” I realize I’m about to share something rather personal with a superstar I haven’t known that long. But I like her, and I’d like to think of her as a friend. “Birth control.”

“Ahhh. Gotcha. I have the best doctor ever.” She pulls out her phone, and before I can say a word, she’s making a call, explaining who I am and what I need and setting me up with an appointment at seven thirty Monday morning—all of this while continuing to run the blender.

I’m slightly astonished by her multitasking capabilities, and absolutely terrified about that appointment.

Marlowe ends the call and returns her focus to the blender, adding more tequila until she’s satisfied. “Doctor Breslow will see you at seven thirty before they open to other patients. That’ll get you in and out before anyone else is there. You’ll love her.”

“It must be nice to make a call on a Saturday night and get an appointment first thing on a Monday morning.”

“Celebrity does have its perks,” she says with a wink. “Breslow’s admin is a fan, and I get her tickets to premieres and stuff. We take care of each other.”

“Thank you.”

“Sure thing. Breslow will fix you right up.” She pours a margarita, takes a sip and declares it perfect so she pours one for me and then writes down the doctor’s address for me.

“I’ve never had a margarita.” The second the words are out of my mouth, I feel like an unsophisticated hick next to her.

“Well, you’ve been missing out. Give it a try.”

I love that she doesn’t blink an eye at my confession. I take a sip of the tart drink. “Mmm, that’s so good.”

“Right? Just go easy. You know what they say about tequila…”

“What’s that?”

“Makes you take your clothes off, not that Flynn would object.”

“Object to what?” he asks when he joins us and accepts the drink Marlowe hands him.

“Natalie finding out about the power of tequila.”

“You’re right.” He winks at me. “I won’t object.”

The doorbell rings, and Marlowe runs to get it.

Flynn notices the slip of paper in my hand. “What’s that?”

“Marlowe got me an appointment with her doctor for Monday morning at seven thirty. Is that doable?”

“Sure, I don’t have anything until the foundation meeting at nine.”


“I’m kind of scared. Will you come with me?”