Page 10 of Thanksgiving With Dad's Best Friend

“It’s happened a few times…but women get it all the time. It’s the world we live in.”

“Not if I can help it,” Flynn growls. “If anyone ever tries to hurt you. I’ll be there to stop them. I swear that to you right now.”

God, why is everything he says so goddamn sexy? I’m melting into a puddle right now.

“Thanks, Flynn…it’s nice to have someone to rely on.”

Flynn sighs. “Well, I’m glad you think so. We can put it behind us now.”

I nod, still flushed. I guess I’d better get used to feeling this way around this man. I’ve got a whole week with him to go.

“Hey…you told me you’re a singer before, right? Have you got a demo you can play for me? I’d love to hear your voice.”

“I…I’ve never shown them to anyone before. I have some on my phone, but…well, like I said…no one’s really heard them, but me.”

A mischievous smile spreads across his handsome features. “Then I’d love the honor of being the first man….go on, Lexi. I bet you have the voice of an angel.”

I’m wet between my legs, aroused by this simple conversation. This is ridiculous, but I want to please him, especially if I can’t do it in the way I’d actually like to. If I play my music for him, it’ll make him happy…so even though it’s giving me nervous knots in my stomach, I know I’m going to do it.

I take out my phone and select a song to play for him, plugging it in to the AUX cord. I feel nerves building up inside me. It’s not something I’m happy to do willingly. I’ve never even really done a live performance, even though it’s my dream to have the courage to do so. I guess this is a gateway to that, but I’m so anxious that I wind down the window to allow wintery air to flood through and cool my heated cheeks.

I cringe as I hear myself starting to sing, but I stick with it, avoiding looking in Flynn’s direction as it plays out. He doesn’t make a sound, but he doesn’t tell me to turn it off either, which I guess is a good sign. I focus on my breathing, wishing I didn’t care so much about what he thinks, but I desperately want him to approve of what I’ve created. I want him to approve of me.

As the song finishes, I quietly claim my phone back. The last three minutes were the most tense of my life, and now all I want is for Flynn to say something. He takes a deep breath and I steel myself for his criticism. But it doesn’t come.

“Lexi…that was incredible. You have natural raw talent.”

I can’t believe it. I can’t believe someone as well-established as Flynn has given me such a lovely compliment. My cheeks heat up even more.

“You…you mean that?”

Flynn’s eyes flicker in my direction for a moment, capturing my gaze in his before he looks back at the road. “I never say things I don’t mean.”

I recall how he told me he was interested in someone…the way he called me his lady…if he never lies, then I could throw myself at him now and he’d take me in his arms. It’s a desperately wild thought, but I want him so much. Even more so after he complimented my music. I put my trust in him and he proved to me that I have nothing to fear from him. He’s fighting in my corner before we’ve even really got to know one another. What will he do for me by the time we’re fully acquainted?

“Listen, Lexi…with talent like that, you can’t afford to be hiding in the shadows. You’re such a sweet, shy girl…I can see that confidence doesn’t come to you naturally. But if you’d like, I can set you up with my singing coach. I’ve had to sing for a few roles, like many actors, and she’s pretty good. She’s turned me from tone-deaf to able to hold a tune…she could do wonders with you, maybe advise you on how to move forward…would you like that?”

“You mean…you’d do that? For me?”

Flynn glances my way once again, making my insides melt under his gaze. “I’d do anything for you…you should know that.”

I can barely breathe. This man I barely know is already willing to offer me the world, and I’m so desperate to step up and take it from him. I want our worlds to merge into one. I want to explore this chemistry that we have.

But there are so many obstacles already. I know I need to take this slow and steady. I’m looking for signs that this could work, that we might be worth a go…but at the end of the day, he’s my Dad’s best friend. The one person he can trust right now apart from me. He’s twenty years older than me too…it’s not a scenario my father is ever going to warm to.

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