Page 115 of The Passion

One of the biggest things I appreciate from them all is the respect they show me in the business world. And not because I’m Flynn’s girlfriend but instead because of the way I run my business and conduct myself. This has really helped with the transition from my father to me as the CEO, because people look at the Darby Hotel men and follow suit.

Of course, there are a few old-school businessmen who still talk down to me or avoid dealing with me, but they are learning very quickly that I don’t need them, and I couldn’t care less what they think.

After an hour of the three of us just winding down after what has been a long week, I’m struggling to keep my eyes open, at the same time, Harper is replying to a message that has just popped up on her phone.

“Well, that’s my cue to leave.” She stands from her seat as she smooths down her skirt and reaches for her jacket that is next to her on the couch.

“What, Felisha’s yawn or the message of a date waiting?” Flynn chuckles to himself as he picks up the three glasses off the table and heads into the kitchen.

“Both.” She laughs as I stand to say good night with a hug.

Feeling emotional at what we have all been through, I hug her tighter than she was expecting.

“Thank you for everything. I couldn’t have gotten through this without you. To be honest, I couldn’t go through life withoutyou, and that’s the truth.” Tears well in my eyes as we both just stay in the moment.

But as usual, Harper pulls away and tries to push down her feelings that she very rarely shows. And surprisingly, I see her very subtly wipe a tear away, before the tough exterior comes back.

“Exactly, so don’t even think about trying. You know you are stuck with me until we are those annoying old ladies in the nursing home who demand to have our nails and hair done every day and a parade of good-looking men to serve us our meals and whatever else we need.” That has us both laughing because it’s probably true.

“And where do I fit in this equation?” Flynn asks, coming up behind me and then putting himself in between us girls, arms around both of us.

“Ughhh, see? You’re the problem. You wrecked this whole little fantasy we’ve had since forever. You’re lucky I like you, otherwise I would have to get rid of you.” She lays her head on his shoulder. I know Harper and Flynn are now so close that she has become like family to him, and she is starting to realize that maybe not all men are trash.

“I’m not sure if I should feel privileged or worried,” he replies as she moves away from the brief hug she allowed.

“Both.” Walking away, she grabs her bag as she looks over her shoulder with a smug grin.

“Noted.” Flynn chuckles at her as she leaves us both standing here watching her go off to enjoy the company of some man but never letting him get close to her in any way.

I hope one day that will change, but it will take one hell of a strong man to get past that iron wall.

3 Years Later

“I waited too long. It’s never going to happen.” I can feel the disappointment building in the pit of my stomach again.

The same way it has every month for the last thirteen months.

I look up from the bathroom vanity where the pregnancy test is sitting, into those deep soulful eyes that are showing just as much apprehension as I feel.

Flynn goes to open his mouth, but I stop him before he can say anything.

“If you say anything like, if it’s meant to be it will happen or some bullshit like that, I swear I will hurt you.” I don’t know why I’m being such a bitch, but I can’t help it.

“Princess, just breathe. We’re in this together.” His calming voice is normally what I need, but this morning, it’s just not helping.

Back when I first took over the company, having a child was the last thing on either of our minds. I had a business to get sorted and set on the right track again, and Flynn was busy just trying to be the man Nic relies on and my greatest support. Life was chaotic but blissful. We spent our days and sometimes into the nights working extremely hard and then spent the few hours we had left wrapped in each other’s arms talking, relaxing, laughing, and learning more about each other and how to be in a relationship. There were times we fought, and that was when I knew he was truly the one for me, because with every disagreement came the compromise on both sides and moving forward with greater understanding of each other. Never once has Flynn tried to squash my opinion or treat me as anything less than himself.

But it was like a switch flicked inside me the moment we got married fifteen months ago. Flynn didn’t wait long to propose. It was three months after my father left and we had our first weekend where we had both promised there would be no work for either of us. He took me for a drive out into the countryside, and we went horseback riding at this beautiful estate. The house was old but in great condition. Not huge, but it blended nicely into its surroundings. Gardens that were sprawling around the house but were not too tall so that from every angle you could still see the fields and the rolling hills. If felt like I was that little girl back in her fairytale of wanting a horse and somewhere to ride it.

After we had stabled the horses, he took me for a walk into the gardens around the house where there was a beautiful love seat. The moment he sat me down and I was looking out toward the amazing view, he dropped to his knee and proposed to me. I cried and was overwhelmed, not because it was all happening too fast, but merely because I finally had a man in my life who loved me unconditionally and that I could trust to protect my heart.

Flynn, after slipping on my stunning diamond solitaire, stood, pulled me into his arms and twirled me around and around while we both couldn’t stop smiling at each other. When he stopped and put me down and turned me to look out at the view again, he whispered into my ear, “Welcome to our country estate, and Saphire that you just rode, he’s yours.” There was no stopping the tears then, and it doesn’t happen often, but I was completely lost for words. That day will live in my memories forever.

Three minutes feels like a lifetime when you are waiting for the results on these tests. It’s five thirty in the morning, and Flynn is standing behind me in his boxers, one arm around my waist and the other slowly rubbing up and down my arm. Mycream silk nightie I threw on as I climbed out of bed is scrunched in both my hands as I hug myself in apprehension.

“And just so we are clear, you didn’t wait too long to have a baby, you waited for me. And no matter what, neither of us will ever regret that it took us that long to find each other. You are the person I was meant to go through life with, and the rest we will work out together.” His hand moves to my chin, and he turns my face to look at him. Leaning forward, he kisses me ever so softly on the lips. “Together we are enough, and if that is all we get in this world then I will die a happy man.”

Why does he have to be so sweet that I go from wanting to hurt him to now making me start crying?

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