Valorous(71)

Because Flynn’s house in the Hollywood Hills is overrun by reporters, we return to Hayden’s Malibu beach house. We pass a relaxing afternoon by the pool with Fluff. That evening, we throw together dinner on the grill and down a bottle of chardonnay before we settle in to watch the broadcast of the interview with Carolyn.

She has evidently filmed a new lead-in that includes the photo we released last night and the news of our marriage. “The Internet is literally on fire today with the news that the world’s most eligible bachelor is officially off the market as of last night. The word that Flynn Godfrey married Natalie Bryant in Las Vegas took Twitter by storm last night after his publicist released the news with a single sentence and a single photograph. I had the distinct honor and privilege to talk with Flynn and the amazing woman who is now his wife. After hearing her story, I think you’ll see why Flynn changed his mind about getting married again.”

Flynn holds my hand, and Fluff is curled up in her favorite place in my lap as I watch myself with a detached sense of disbelief. Is that really me on national television, being interviewed by none other than Carolyn Justice?

“You sound great, sweetheart,” he says. “The whole country will be as in love with you as I am after this.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about that,” I reply with a nervous laugh.

“You know, the upside is you can do anything you want, be anyone you want to be. The door will swing open to you in ways you can’t begin to imagine.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about that either.”

“You don’t have to decide now. The word ‘no’ becomes your best friend. You say yes to the things that interest you and no to the things that don’t. You can take full advantage of your newfound fame to promote the foundation. The bottom line is with fame comes opportunity. I’m sure my management team will be hit with a slew of calls about you.”

“Wow, seriously?”

“Yep. But don’t worry about it. They’ll screen it all and bring only the most interesting stuff to us.”

“I’m having trouble wrapping my mind around this.”

“I didn’t tell you to stress you out. Just to make you aware of what to expect.”

“I signed on to be with you, not to be part of your business.”

“You don’t have to be part of it. Like I said, you pick and choose, and you have the power to say no to all of it.”

“Just over two weeks ago, I was a teacher in New York, and now I’m married to you and hearing I might be the hot new thing in Hollywood. It’s a lot to take in all at once.”

“You don’t have to take it in all at once. As long as you take me in once in a while…”

Laughing, I push my elbow into his ribs.

When the interview ends, Flynn’s phone begins to ring. He takes the call from his parents, putting it on speaker so we can both hear it.

“You were brilliant,” Max says. “Absolutely spot-on.”

“Everyone in Hollywood is going to want to meet you,” Stella says.

“I was just telling her that. She’s not sure how she feels about it.”

“Don’t you worry about that, honey,” Stella says. “You’re surrounded by people who can handle all that nonsense for you.”

“I told her that, too.”

“We don’t want to intrude on the newlyweds,” Max says. “We just wanted you to know we loved the interview. You did great, Natalie. You’re a natural.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I say, making them laugh. “Thanks for calling. I’m so glad you thought it went well.”

“Better than well, honey,” Stella says. “I just have to say… After hearing your story, I’m so proud to know you and to welcome you into our family. Our son couldn’t have chosen a more worthy woman to spend his life with.”

I’m so touched by her kind words that I can’t find the words to tell her so.

“She’s trying not to cry right now, Mom.”

“Thank you so much for that, Stella. That’s so very sweet of you to say.”

“We’ll let you go,” Max says.

“Thanks for calling, guys.”

“We love you both,” Stella says.

“Love you, too.” He ends the call and puts the phone on the coffee table. It immediately starts ringing. “Do you want to hear from your adoring public?”