Page 17 of Polly

“But what if you do win? Won’t the band want you to celebrate?”

He flashed her a dimple. “They’ll go without me. I have other plans.”

“I don’t want to keep you from a celebration.”

“Don’t worry about it. I want to spend tonight with you. After the ceremony, it’s you and me. Nothing’s changing my mind.”

Their car pulled to the curb at the front entrance of a hotel. Flynn glanced around outside and when he saw the coast was clear. He donned sunglasses, grabbed her duffle bag, and climbed from the car.

Flynn hooped around the vehicle and reached for Polly’s hand. She took it, and together they walked from the car into the hotel, gazes down, attempting to look inconspicuous.

Flynn led them into the hotel elevator and hit the button for their floor. When the door slid closed, he finally looked up.

“You ready to have a fantastic time and forget all about your ex?” He squeezed her hand.

“I wish I could forget him. Unfortunately, that’s impossible.”

Flynn shoved his sunglasses on top of his head and squinted at her. “Why?”

“I was with Grady since high school. He got all my important firsts. I...” She shifted uncomfortably. “I’ve only ever been with Grady. He’ll always be in my memories.”

Flynn let go of her hand to wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her against his side in a half hug. He kissed her temple. He couldn’t deny that those words made him feel unexpectedly possessive.

She had only been with one man... He couldn’t relate. He knew she wouldn’t want to hear the tally of how many women he’d been with. Though he’d slowed down now, Flynn had fully embraced the rockstar lifestyle when his band first hit it big: he’d taken the “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” motto to heart. But after several years of drugs and one-night-stands, Flynn grew tired of that lifestyle and it was no longer his norm. That kind of loyalty, her loyalty, felt as rare and exotic as a unicorn to him. As much of a treasure.

“Loyalty is fine. Admirable even,” he said. “Don’t compare every man to him. He’s a douche canoe. Everyone’s different. Loyalty is a fantastic trait. The right guy will want it. He’ll help you make new memories. Better ones. I’ll help you find a good partner.”

“Really?”

He squeezed her shoulders and smiled at her. “Of course. If you haven’t noticed, I consider you my close friend. Honestly, you’re probably my best friend. I definitely need to screen your dates. I don’t get along with everyone. I can’t have my dear friend’s boyfriend hating me. How else will I know he and I are compatible?”

Her laughter made him smile.

They both glanced ahead as the elevator opened on their floor.

She walked forward first, out of his reach. He dropped his arm to his side and stepped from the elevator. They walked together down the hotel hallway to their room, which he opened with a card key.

The door opened to a standard double hotel room, with two queen-sized beds.

Polly laid on one of the beds. Flynn set her duffle bag on its foot then laid down on the empty bed.

“I see your clothes are here already,” she said. She gestured toward his tux bag hanging in the closet.

“Yeah, that’s what my manager told me to wear.”

“Interesting.”

He laughed. “I don’t like how you say that,” he said.

“You’ll look great.”

He chuffed. “Again. Not liking your words.”

Swiftly, she changed the subject. “What are we doing after the ceremony?”

“Having fun.”

Even though he wasn’t looking at her, he knew she rolled her eyes hard. He could almost hear them. He smiled to himself.

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