“Good so far.”

   “We were discussing the guys’ post-football futures when you came to the table,” Mia said.

   Amelia looked at Flynn. “Oh? And what’s in your future?”

   Flynn shrugged. “I’m thinking international spy.”

   Amelia laughed. “Yeah, because you blend in as such an everyday guy.”

   Flynn frowned. “Hey. I can be an everyday guy.”

   Amelia cocked her head to the side and gave his body a once-over. “No, you couldn’t.”

   Grant laughed. “She’s right. Those tattoos are a dead giveaway. Plus, your ugly face is too remarkable. People would easily remember you.”

   “Funny comment coming from you considering the two of us look so much alike.”

   “Oh, hell no. I’m much prettier.”

   Amelia looked at Mia. “Are they always like this?”

   “Worse. And wait until Tucker and Barrett are along for the ride. You’ll need tranquilizers.”

   Though she’d had some trepidation about the trip, Amelia was looking forward to Thanksgiving now. His parents had been to Ninety-Two’s grand opening. But she’d been slammed that night and she’d never even met them. She was looking forward to meeting them at the ranch, even if she did feel a bit odd about spending the holiday with Flynn.

   “Actually, we were talking about Flynn becoming a world-famous restaurateur after he retires from football,” Mia said.

   Amelia looked at Flynn, who frowned at his sister.

   “That is not at all what we were discussing. You and Grant decided for me.”

   Amelia nodded. “I could definitely see that. You’ve done well here. And you do like to cook.”

   “He just likes to eat,” Mia said with a smirk on her face. “I think the cooking thing sprang up from a sense of self-preservation. Maybe midnight hunger pangs or something. Probably after way too many beers. You found yourself on the sofa, strung out and unable to move because you were loaded, and you were bored and channel surfing. Then you landed on a cooking show and voilà, your second career was born.”

   Flynn rolled his eyes. “Sure. That’s exactly how it happened.”

   Amelia enjoyed watching him spar with his siblings. He was always so confident, so filled with quips. It was nice to see his brother and sister take him down a peg.

   As an only child, she’d never had anyone to do battle with, so for her, this was new.

   Her dinner arrived, and she’d noticed that Flynn, Mia and Grant had waited for her food to show up before they finished theirs. It had been unnecessary, but at least she didn’t feel like she was eating alone now. They all ate and she got to sit back and enjoy more verbal sparring among the siblings.

   Over dinner she learned that Grant was engaged to a fashion model. She’d heard of Katrina Korsova—who hadn’t? What she didn’t know was that Katrina had single-handedly raised her two younger siblings—now teenagers—from the time she was eighteen years old. What an admirable woman.

   “Tucker is engaged as well,” Mia said to her. “You’ll love meeting Aubry, and Barrett’s girlfriend, Harmony. And knowing how things are going, you’ll get to hear all about the two weddings that are happening next year since that’s all we ever talk about.”

   Amelia smiled. “I love hearing talk of wedding planning. I can’t wait.”

   After dinner, Grant and Flynn had dessert. Amelia and Mia declined, and Amelia excused herself to get back to work. Flynn got up and followed her toward the kitchen.

   He picked up her hand. “What are you doing after work tonight?”

   “Collapsing in a heap of exhaustion, probably.”

   His lips curved. “That rough, huh?”

   “Actually, not at all. The staff here is more than competent. It’s been fine. What did you have in mind?”

   “I thought maybe I could see you.”

   She couldn’t help but react to the way his thumb brushed over the skin of her hand. Despite people filing past them, she wanted to be immune, but she couldn’t. He had an effect on her and she had to come to grips with that.

   “Sure. But wouldn’t you rather go out with your brother and sister?”

   “Grant’s heading back down south, and Mia has some paperwork she wants to do. So why don’t you invite me to your place?”

   She couldn’t resist smiling at the way he’d invited himself over. “Flynn, would you like to come to my place after I get off work tonight?”

   “I’d love to. Why don’t you text me when you leave and I’ll meet you there?”

   “I’ll do that.”

   He looked around, then picked up her hand and kissed it.

   Butterflies. She had butterflies in her stomach. Ridiculous, but they were there anyway. Damn the man.

   “See you later, Amelia.”

   He turned and walked back to the table. Amelia heaved in a sigh and headed into the kitchen.

 

 

EIGHTEEN

 

   Flynn hung out at a bar and played some pool with Grant and Mia until he got Amelia’s text.

   “Gotta go,” he said.

   Grant frowned. “We’re in the middle of a game.”

   Flynn hung up his cue. “I’ve got other plans.”

   “In other words,” Mia said, “he’s going out with Amelia and she’s prettier than you.”

   “How can that be?” Grant asked. “No one’s prettier than me.”

   Flynn shook his head. “Good night, you two.”

   He left the bar and stopped by his house to pick up a bottle of wine, then drove to Amelia’s house and rang the bell. When she answered the door, she was on the phone, so she motioned for him to come inside. He followed, shutting the door behind him.

   She’d already changed into black yoga pants that hugged her ass in the best possible way. She was wearing a white tank top that pressed to her breasts and, damn, she looked hot.

   She led him into the kitchen. When she saw the bottle of wine, she reached into a drawer and pulled out the opener, handing it to him, then pointed to an upper cabinet. He figured that’s where the glasses were.

   He opened the bottle and poured the wine into the glasses.

   “Sorry,” she said as she laid her phone on the kitchen counter. “My friend Laura just got off work so she wanted to chat.”

   “I need to meet your friend Laura.”