Victorious(70)

Flynn returns to the room with Fluff once again hot on his heels.

“Have you noticed she follows you around now the way she used to follow me?” I ask.

“Does it bother you that she likes me now?”

“Of course not. I want you guys to be friends.”

“I thought you wanted us to be father and daughter.”

I giggle at his indignant expression. “That, too.”

He comes over to the bed and removes the tray, placing it on a nearby footstool. “My love, your bath awaits you. Put your arms around my neck and allow me.”

Because I’m so achy, I do what I’m told and enjoy the way his strong arms scoop me up like I’m weightless. “Hey, what happened to my garters and the rest?”

“I took them off after you conked out last night.”

“I’m worried about how much time you spend awake while I’m sleeping.”

“I’m always watching over you, sweetheart.” He deposits me into the tub, which is full of bubbles and something else.

“What is that? What do I smell?”

“Eucalyptus. It’ll fix what ails you.”

“This is very decadent.” I reach for his hand. “Come in with me.”

He drops his shorts and climbs in behind me. The tub is even bigger than the one in his New York apartment, so there’s more than enough room for both of us.

With his arms around me, I recline against his chest and sigh with contentment. “Already the best Valentine’s Day ever.”

“For me, too, sweetheart. Are you excited for the party?”

“Very. I can’t wait to see what your mom put together for us. I’m sure it’ll be amazing.”

“She does love to throw a party. At this very moment, I picture her with a clipboard and a bullhorn, ordering everyone around. My sisters are probably nowhere near there. They know better.”

“A bullhorn?”

“She does her best work with amplification.”

I giggle madly at that image of his classy mother barking orders into a bullhorn.

“Don’t worry. With Stella at the helm, it’ll be a hell of a party.”

“I have no doubt. I just wish my sisters could’ve come, and Leah and Aileen.”

“I know, sweetheart. I feel so bad that they can’t make it.”

“It’s not your fault. Even you can’t make other people’s bosses give them time off.”

“We’ll celebrate with them the next time we see them.”

After my bath, I stroll out of the bedroom to find the living room has been filled with red roses that perfume the air with their fragrant scent. The blinds are drawn against the bright morning sun, and a massage table has been set up where the coffee table usually sits.

Flynn is in the kitchen with a tall blonde woman he seems to know well. “There’s Nat. Sweetheart, come meet Jasmine.”

Her name is Jasmine, and the only thought in my head is whether or not he’s slept with her.

“Could you come here for a quick second, Flynn?”

“Excuse me for one second, Jas.”

Jas… I want to growl with jealous rage.

“I’m going to take this call,” Jasmine says, holding up her phone as she heads for the pool deck. “I’ll be right out here when you’re ready.”

He comes over to me. “What’s wrong?”

“Is she… Have you… Been with her?”

I see the surprise before the hurt registers, and I immediately regret the question. He speaks softly so only I can hear him. “You think I would bring someone I’ve f*cked before into our home to tend to you?”

“I… No. I’m sorry.”

He seems stunned. “How can you think…”

“You didn’t tell me about Marlowe.”

“Oh my God, Nat. That was a hundred years ago and lasted minutes.”

“You didn’t tell me.”

“Do you want a list of all of them? Like a spreadsheet, maybe?”

“It’s a fair question, Flynn.”

Shaking his head, he looks at me as if he’s seeing me for the very first time. “I’m disappointed that you would think that of me.”

“I’m sorry you’re disappointed.”

“Do you still want the massage?”

I don’t. I want to walk away from him and be alone, but after he went to the trouble to arrange such a lovely surprise for me, I don’t do that. “Yes, please.”

“I’ll get her.”

He walks away, and that’s when I realize my heart is beating hard, and I’m light-headed from the unusually contentious exchange. Returning with Jasmine, he introduces us and leaves us to get on with it, never once looking directly at me.

Jasmine is cheerful and professional and tries to make me feel comfortable under the heated blankets, but knowing he’s angry with me—fairly or unfairly—makes it impossible for me to truly enjoy the massage.

I’m torn between calling a halt to it and fearing I’ll hurt her feelings if I do.

She’s turned me from back to front when I hear Flynn’s raised voice coming from the pool deck. I try to hear him, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. “Jasmine, I’m sorry, but I have to stop.”