Virtuous(80)

With a quick knock, Flynn walks right into Marlowe’s house. I follow, feeling hesitant and concerned that we might be bothering her. He, apparently, has no such worries.

“Mo! Where are ya?”

“Back here! Come on in.”

The single-story house is much bigger than it seemed from the driveway and the view of the beach and ocean is nothing short of breathtaking. We find Marlowe on the back deck, stretched out on a lounge chair enjoying a cup of coffee. She’s wearing aviator sunglasses and a barely there black bikini. Her gorgeous red hair is contained in a messy bun on top of her head.

She jumps up to greet Flynn with an enthusiastic hug. “This is a nice surprise.”

“Mo, this is Natalie. Natalie, Marlowe, but we call her Mo.”

She raises her sunglasses to the top of her head, exposing warm green eyes. The toothy smile that helped to make her a star is on full display as she hugs me, too. “So great to meet you. We’ve all been buzzing about Flynn’s new girlfriend, and I was looking forward to meeting you this weekend.”

“Thank you.” I’m so starstruck, I can barely get the words out or process the fact that Marlowe Sloane considers me Flynn Godfrey’s girlfriend. “I’m a huge fan.”

“Aww, that’s so nice to hear. Come in, have a seat, make yourselves at home.”

“Your place is incredible,” I say, immediately feeling foolish for stating the obvious. Like she doesn’t already know that.

“Isn’t it? It’s my favorite spot on the planet. Any day I get to spend on this deck is my idea of heaven.”

“You sure we’re not disturbing you?” Flynn asks as he proceeds to make himself right at home as directed. He produces bottles of water from an outdoor fridge and hands one to me. We sit together on the lounge next to Marlowe’s. I wish I could text Leah and tell her I’m at Marlowe Sloane’s house in Malibu. She’d totally flip out. Maybe I can take some pictures for her before we leave.

“You’re not disturbing me at all. I’m glad you came by.” With the sunglasses back in place over her eyes, she returns to her lounge. “How are you feeling about tomorrow night?”

“Surprisingly nervous,” Flynn confesses. For my benefit, he adds, “I’ve been nominated five other times, but I’ve never won.”

“He’s the front-runner this time, and rightfully so,” Marlowe says. “If he doesn’t win—”

Flynn holds up his hand to stop her. “Don’t jinx me.”

“Knock on wood to your heart’s content, but I’m predicting a sweep for you this year—Globe, SAG, Oscar.”

“For f*ck’s sake, Marlowe,” he grumbles.

She unleashes a lusty laugh that makes me smile. It’s that contagious. She makes a big show of knocking on the teakwood arm of her lounge chair. “Better?”

“Much.”

I’m surprised and delighted to discover Flynn’s superstitious side. I wouldn’t have suspected it of him. He always seems so confident and in control.

“So, Natalie, tell me everything about you,” Marlowe says. “I understand you’re a teacher?”

“Yes, third grade in New York City.”

“Good God, woman. How do you stand being with little kids all day?”

I laugh at her bluntness. “I got really lucky with a great group this year. I love them. I’m having a great time. I hear I can’t count on that every year, so I’m enjoying it while it lasts.”

“We should all be thankful for teachers like Natalie,” Flynn says, directing a warm smile my way. “They’re making sure the next generation doesn’t grow up to be ignorant idiots.”

“That’s certainly one way to put it,” I say, making them both laugh.

“Is it really true that you’ve never been to the beach?” Marlowe asks.

“Yep. As I said to Flynn, there aren’t many beaches in Nebraska where I grew up.”

“Well, let’s get you down to the beach!” She jumps up again and goes to a cabinet where she pulls out towels for each of us. “Do you want to borrow a suit so you can swim? I have tons of them, and you’re welcome to them.”

“That’s so nice of you, but I’ll be happy to put my feet in the water.”

“Good enough. Let’s go.”

She opens a gate on the deck that leads to stairs that go right down to the beach.