VALOROUS (A Quantum Novel)(67)

Once again, we’re seated with Flynn’s Quantum colleagues, Hayden, Jasper, Marlowe and Kristian. Marlowe, Jasper and Kristian hug us, and they congratulate us again on our marriage. Hayden is the last to greet us, and he hugs us both, which I take as a hopeful sign.

We take our seats and pick at the dinner we’re served until the show begins a short time later. While the conversation buzzes around me, I find my mind drifting, puzzling over the things Valerie said to me.

“Has he tied you up yet? Beat you? Clamped your nipples? Plugged your ass?” Flynn had beaten Valerie? There’s no way that’s true. He’s never been anything but a perfect gentleman with me. Sure, things got particularly heated a few times, like on the plane and our wedding night before my meltdown. Everything between us has been hot and entirely consensual, though. The things Valerie described don’t sound consensual.

Then there’s the possibility that Valerie is screwing with me because she’s jealous. I wish I knew what she hoped to achieve by saying that stuff to me.

“You okay?” Flynn asks during a break.

“Yeah. It’s hot in here.”

“Is it? Feels okay to me.”

“How much longer until your category?”

He smiles and winks when he says, “It’s toward the end.”

Someone taps him on the shoulder, and he gets up to say hello.

Marlowe slides into the seat next to mine. “How’s it going, Mrs. G?”

“Is it hot in here, or is it only me?”

“I’m f*cking roasting. It’s always hot at these things. Too many people and not enough air.”

My stomach flutters at the thought of asking Marlowe about Valerie. But I need to know. “Hey, Marlowe.”

“What’s up?”

I glance over my shoulder to make sure Flynn is still actively engaged in his conversation. “Tell me about Valerie. What’s she like?”

“She’s a viperous bitch. I hate her guts, and not just because of the hell she put Flynn through, but because she’s not a nice person. People in this town are seriously over her. I don’t know too many directors who will still work with her.”

“Hmm, interesting.”

“Why do you ask?”

“I ran into her in the ladies’ room. She was a little… less than friendly.”

Marlowe snorts in a most unladylike fashion that makes me like her more than I already do. “I imagine she was. Not only did she lose Flynn, but for years he told the world she permanently turned him off marriage. That’s gonna leave a mark. Did you tell Flynn you saw her?”

“No. I didn’t want to upset him on his big night, and I knew he’d be pissed at what she said to me.”

Marlowe leans in closer. “What’d she say?”

“It’s not even worth repeating. I suppose if I was stupid enough to lose the love of a man like Flynn, I’d be a jealous bitch, too.”

“You will never, in the history of the universe, be capable of the kind of shit that woman spews. And P.S., you did the right thing not saying anything to him about it. He sees red where she’s concerned, and it is a big night for him. Or I expect it will be anyway.”

“Don’t jinx him.”

She smiles at me. “You really love him, don’t you?”

“I really do.”

“Good. You’re just what he needs in his life.”

“You think Hayden will ever come around to seeing that?”


“Hayden has his own demons,” Marlowe says, looking at the man in question as he laughs and jokes with friends. “I don’t think his reaction has anything to do with you or Flynn, and you shouldn’t take it seriously.”

“It hurts Flynn’s feelings.”

“Those two have always had their ups and downs. It’s the nature of their relationship. They always get past the bumps, so try not to worry.”

An announcement is made that the commercial break is about to end and everyone is asked to return to their seats.

“Hey, Marlowe, thanks. You’ve been a good friend to me. I appreciate it.”

She gives me a quick hug. “I hope we’ll become very good friends.”

Marlowe Sloane wants to be good friends with me. How crazy is that? She returns to her seat, and Flynn slips his arm around me.

“How you doing?”

“I’m good. How’re you?”

“Ready to get out of here.”

“And hit the parties?”

He shakes his head. “I’m a newlywed. I’m skipping the parties.”

“What if you win?”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that…”

“You can’t skip the parties.”

“Watch me.”

The way he says those two little words—and how he looks at me as he says them—does crazy things to my insides. I love how much he desires me and how badly he wants to be alone with me. I lean back against him while we wait for his category to be announced.

Marlowe is the presenter for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. She announces the nominees, and when she gets to Flynn’s clip, the audience goes crazy. He smiles for the cameras, but under the table he’s gripping my hand.