Valorous(50)

“I know that, and I appreciate the concern. But this is different.”

“So you’ve said. Look, Flynn, it’s none of my business. It’s none of Hayden’s business. You’re our friend, and we care about you. That’s it. One thing you’ve never been is a fool. But if you marry this woman—or any woman—without protecting yourself and your considerable assets, you’re a fool.”

He’s right. I know he is, and if one of my closest friends was considering marrying a woman he’d known two weeks without a prenup, I’d be freaking out all over them. But I can’t imagine broaching that subject with Natalie. She isn’t after my money. I know that in the deepest corners of my soul, and it’s one of the reasons I love her so damned much.

“She couldn’t care less about the money, Em.”

“Everyone cares about money, Flynn. Especially people who don’t have any of their own.”

I hate this conversation and the way it makes me feel with a fiery passion.

“There’s a way around it, you know,” Emmett says tentatively.

“What’s that?”

“Set her up with a big account and have her sign something that says that’s all she’ll get if the marriage ends.”

I’m shaking my head before he finishes speaking. “I’m not going into this marriage like it’s a business deal. That would be disrespectful to her and to what we are to each other.”

“I hear you, and I’ll even confess to being envious that you’ve found someone you feel that way about. But as your friend and your attorney, I’d be negligent if I didn’t urge you to reconsider.”

“I appreciate your concern, your friendship and your legal advice.”

“But you’re telling me to f*ck off anyway, right?” he asks with a laugh.

“In the nicest way possible.”

“Fair enough. I’ve done my due diligence. If you change your mind, give me a call. I can put something together for you in the morning.”

“I’m not going to change my mind.”

“Then I’ll be on my way.” He gets up, and I shake the hand he offers me. “Thanks for a great time tonight.”

“It was fun. Just what the doctor ordered after the week we’ve had.”

“You know I wish you all the best, Flynn. Natalie seems like a really great person.”

“You have no idea how amazing she is.” I look up at him. “Keep me posted on the situation with Rogers and Natalie’s school.”

“I will. Congratulations again.”

“Thanks.”

After he leaves, I sit for a long time staring out at the dark ocean, where a half moon leaves a glowing trail over the surface. My friends have left me with doubts, which are infuriating in light of the certainty I feel where Natalie is concerned. I wasn’t lying when I said that I know, in the deepest part of me, that our relationship has nothing to do with my money or my fame or my celebrity or any of the other bullshit reasons women in the past have been interested in me.

No, with Natalie, it’s all about the two of us and what we’ve found together.

“What’re you doing out here all by yourself?” she asks as she comes out to join me.

“Enjoying the view, which just got exponentially better. Did everyone leave?”

“Yeah, they said thanks for a fun night.”

I hold out a hand to her and guide her onto my lap. When she’s settled in my arms, her familiar scent filling my senses, I feel like I can breathe again. Nothing about this could ever be wrong. It is the most genuinely right thing I’ve ever known in my life.

“Why so quiet?”

“No reason.”

“Did you have fun with your friends?”

“I did. How about you?”

“They’re so nice. I love them all.”

“They loved you, too.”

“Even Hayden?”

“Of course. He thinks you’re great.”

“Sure he does. He ran out of here awfully quickly, leading me to wonder if the two of you had words over our plans for Monday. And just in case you’re interested, Addie went after him.”

She’s incredibly astute and insightful, which is part of why I love her as much as I do. “He’s a little concerned about the haste but not about you. You have to know you’ve earned the undying admiration of everyone in my life this week.”