Page 96 of Reckless Hearts

“Damn straight.”

Sage joins us, a smile on her face, her eyes that match Mitch’s shining. “I made poi,” she announces, standing up a little taller as she now pulls me in for a hug. “You did amazing, and one day I’m going to learn all the rules and the scoring and shit, but for now, all I can say is, you totally made my first competition a memorable one.”

“Thanks, Sage. It gets easier the more you watch, and I hope to give you a few more to watch,” I say with conviction. Despite moving on and getting to compete again, it’s not a given for the future, but I’m going to do it. I’m going to be a name peopleremember. And with Flynn’s help and support, I’m going to nail a world championship too.

“I’ll be at every single one,” Sage says, and Nate hits her with a bit of a side-eye, causing both of us to giggle. “We’re going, Nathan, don’t be a dick.”

“Yeah, Nathan. See you in Tahiti, okay?”

“You two are going to bleed me dry,” he mutters, shaking his head, but behind his forced glares is a smile just for Sage and me.

“And we’re having that pig that gets cooked in the ground,” Sage now adds, and I just love her and all her island cluelessness.

“Kalua Pork, babe,” Nate tells her, slinging an arm around her shoulders. He pulls her close, giving her a quick kiss just as Flynn walks up.

“Hey, great party,” Flynn says, shaking hands with Nate and giving Sage a quick hug. “I wanted to chat with you both about something. No need to make a decision now or anything.”

“Sure, what’s up?” Nate asks.

“So, I’m planning to stick around for a while, and I know you just got the cottage up on Airbnb and all, so seriously, no big deal if not, but would you consider doing a long-term rental?”

“How long-term are we talking?” Nate now asks, looking over at Sage, both of them grinning. They know what Flynn’s question means, not just for him, but for me too.

“Not sure, but at least a year, possibly longer. Depends on how quickly I can sell my place in Oz and if I find anything here I’d like to buy.”

“You’re staying?” Sage asks, looking over at me. She takes my hand in hers, giving it a little squeeze as if she’s telling me she’s happy for me. I squeeze back, feeling my heart hammering hard in my chest.

The idea of Flynn staying, that he’s here permanently, and that he’s here for me, makes it even more special. Again, hechose me. He keeps choosing me, and for that, I will be forever in love with him. He changed my life in ways I can’t even begin to express.

“I am. And this lady got me a place in Pipe Masters next month,” Flynn says, tossing a soft elbow into my side before he pulls me close.

“What do you think, babe?” Nate asks Sage, and she gives a simple nod. “Well, there you go. The cottage is yours as long as you need it.”

“You can take—” Flynn starts, but Nate cuts him off.

“It’s yours, dude. We don’t need to think about it. We can figure out a monthly rate later, but having someone in there we know is perfect.”

“For sure,” Sage echoes, and then she looks over at me, a telling look on her face before she adds, “And maybe Alana could move in with you.”

“That was the next thing I was about to ask,” Flynn says, turning to me. “What do you say, beautiful? Wanna be my roommate?” His words are teasing and playful, and I swear I don’t think this day could get any better.

“I can think of a better word than roommate, but I guess I’ll consider moving in with you,” I hit back, rolling my eyes.

“Is that a yes?”

“You’d be moving back in where you first started out,” Nate mentions, and he’s right. It’s where I finally felt like my life was getting back on track, where I had people who loved and supported me. And now it’s come full circle.

“You cool with it?” I ask Nate and Sage, and Nate lets out a hearty chuckle.

“I’m pretty sure having you in our backyard is Sage’s dream come true. Get ready, she’ll be knocking on your door with a bottle of wine every night.”

“Not every night,” Sage quips, letting out a playfully bothered sigh.

“I’m in,” I tell Flynn, pushing up on my toes to give him a kiss. “But now I gotta tell the girls.”

I look over my shoulder, Sloane and Daisy are chatting and laughing, and my heart breaks a little. Daisy will be just fine. She’s resilient and independent, and not that Sloane isn’t, but it’s different.

Her life before moving in with Daisy and me was pretty shitty, and she’s grown and healed so much over the last year. She’ll be fine without me too, but it’s going to hit her hard.

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