Page 12 of Built of Second Chances

That made Flynn frown as he thought it through. Finally, he nodded, but the frown didn’t disappear. His eyes had softened though. Those deep brown eyes that had always seen her. Not the daughter of the powerful Martin Blanco. Not the quiet girl who tried hard not to be noticed. He’d seen the girl who’d wanted to fit in. The girl who liked numbers more than she liked most anything the other girls liked.

Flynn had brought her out of her shell, at least a little bit. With him, she’d gotten to know more people at the school. She’d even dreamed of going to the Christmas dance with him.

Kissing him.

Maybe a little bit more.

Those dreams had exploded right alongside her house.

“Why Flores?”

That made her smile and she simply raised her eyebrows, wondering if he would figure it out. If the memory of that day was anywhere near as strong as her own memory.

Of course, he’d experienced his wonderful family every day, so it probably hadn’t stood out. Flynn’s eyebrows shot up at her smile and then furrowed in concentration. He did like solving riddles.

Flynn was calmer and acting more like the boy she remembered. Was there truly a way they could remain in the same place without endangering anyone?

If her father’s associates found out she was alive, she wouldn’t be the only one they targeted. She couldn’t be responsible for them hurting Flynn or any of her new friends.

Strangely, the only thing that had saved her life that day had been the explosion that had nearly killed her. She still wasn’t sure who had blown up the house. Or why. But she’d learned that day that her father and uncle were truly horrible people and that they would do anything for their own gain.

Flynn’s eyebrows shot up and his grin had everything in Tessa relaxing. This was her Flynn.

“My dad. Was it because of my dad? He called you all different flower names the day you were out at our ranch. Daisy. Rose. Ivy. Lily. And a whole bunch more I don’t remember.”

She nodded. It was one of her favorite memories. One she’d tried to twist so that it was her own father trying to make her feel special. Of course, that wasn’t possible, but a girl could dream.

She’d dreamed of Flynn and his family a lot over the years. Even when she’d tried to drop everything from her past persona, she couldn’t drop those.

“Tess Flores. Contessa of the Flowers. I like it.” The warmth in his voice filled her up and gave her a little hope.

And then he pursed his lips and grimaced. “So, you didn’t forget me? Us?”

She shook her head as she battled back more tears. For years, she hadn’t allowed herself to cry. There was nothing she could do to change things and tears wouldn’t help. Flynn’s appearance had weakened her resolve and the tears wanted to flow. Relief and joy at seeing him. Fear for her future. Regrets. So many regrets.

“I couldn’t forget you.” Her choice of name had pretty much ensured she’d think of him every day. Even though she tried to never think his name, never visualize his face. None of her efforts had helped. Even if she’d chosen a different name, it wouldn’t have helped.

Flynn Walker had been the strength she’d needed to get her through the past decade and more. His confidence that every puzzle could be solved, that every problem had a solution, had helped. He treated life the way she treated math.

There was always a solution.

And there would be one, now. There had to be. She just hoped it was one that didn’t break her again. She wasn’t sure she was strong enough to take it a second time.

Flynn nodded seriously and then pushed to his feet to look out the window of the cabin. Strength seemed to radiate from him, and she wished she could soak some of it up.

When was the last time she’d felt strong? Had she ever? She would have to dig deep to make sure she was strong enough to ensure Flynn was safe from her family’s reach. Her father and her uncle may have been killed, but she thought it was her grandfather who’d always run the show. Whatever that show was. If the government thought she wasn’t safe from them, they were powerful. And evil. And she couldn’t bring that danger to Flynn or Midnight Lake.

“Did you call the Marshals after seeing me earlier? Did they give you instructions to move out?”

“No. But I can.” It wasn’t at all what she wanted.

Flynn shrugged but continued to stare out the window. From this angle she couldn’t see his reflection. She wondered what he was thinking, but was too afraid to ask.

Realizing the significance of the name she’d chosen had softened him, but she knew he was still hurt and angry and confused. She knew it, because after thirteen years, she was still all of those things herself.

“I didn’t tell Sam or Tansy any details, but Sam figured out from my reaction that I knew you from before. They know I think you’re on the run or in Wit Sec. They also know how important it is to keep that quiet. They won’t say anything.”

Fear rippled through her again. More people knew she was in hiding. More people who could give her away without meaning to do that. More people who would have questions she couldn’t answer. So many questions.

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