Page 79 of Spotlight
“I mean, can you blame me? It was the best kiss of my life. Better than sex.”
Her brows rise. “Better than sex?”
I suddenly realize how pathetic that sounds. “Maybe it’s just been so long I don’t remember.”
“You should look into that.” She grins. “With Flynn.”
I give her my best Mom-stare and she laughs.
“I’m serious. You two obviously have chemistry and you could use some no-strings fun.”
“What, like friends with benefits?” I scrunch up my face. “I tried that once. It wasn’t for me. I was always second-guessing when to text or call. It was the most stressful relationship of my life.”
“Yeah, I’m not great at it either.” She thinks for a moment. “And dating him knowing it might have an expiration is definitely out?”
“What would be the point?”
“Uh…kissing. Kissing is the point.”
“It was a really, really good kiss,” I admit again. It’s just my luck that the one guy that’s made me want to date again is leaving. My life is here in Lake City. My family and friends, the bookstore, Greer’s school and activities. It isn’t like I never thought about living somewhere else when I was younger, but those were dreams of a carefree girl who didn’t really know what she wanted and liked the idea of it more than the reality.
I would miss seeing my family every day, and what would come of the bookstore? For that matter, where would I work? I can’t imagine working anywhere else.
* * *
Later when Greer’s in bed, I shower and get into my pajamas. Usually, I stay up watching TV or scrolling on my phone, but all I want to do is climb into bed and fall asleep. My determination to forget about Flynn has resulted in a lot of very tiring days.
I turn off the light and then stare up at the ceiling. My mind spins. Sabrina’s words keep replaying in my mind. Could I keep seeing Flynn knowing he’s going to leave? Would we be dating? Hooking up? Friends with benefits? Cringe.
I glance over at my phone on the charger. I know if I pick it up, I’m going to be awake for another two hours.
“You know what?” I ask myself out loud. “I’ve got this.”
I open the drawer on my nightstand and pull out my vibrator. You wouldn’t believe how difficult it is to find time even for self-love when there’s a six-year-old living in the room next door. I flip it on and it sputters and dies. I try again with the same result.
Of course, the battery would be dead. Okay, universe, I hear you. I toss it back into the drawer and grab my phone instead.
Fuck it.
Me
Free tomorrow night?
His reply is immediate.
Flynn
Yes.
Me
Pick us up at seven.
* * *
At exactly seven o’clock, Flynn knocks at my apartment door.
“Hi. Come in.” Nervous energy courses through me as I open the door and step back to let him in. My heart flutters at the sight of him. He’s in jeans and a navy T-shirt that makes his brown hair look a tinge redder than normal.
