Page 100 of Finding New Dreams

Flynn: Did you get the third-degree?

Rose: Not really. You?

Flynn: Carter punched me in the shoulder with some muttered threat. So, fairly normal.

Rose: Well, better your shoulder than your face.

There was a long pause while I chewed my lip. Was he waiting for me to say something? Why couldn’t he?

Flynn: Do you mind if I stop by the studio when we get back? Just want to check on my painting.

Rose: Of course! I’ll meet you there.

By the time we crossed Tangled River town limits, I had fidgeted myself into a nervous wreck and Gina had threatened to restrain me with the boob tape in her bag.

Chloe eased to a stop in front of Exquisite Moments, and I shot out of the car with my overnight bag while Gina grumbled her way out.

“Thanks, guys! See you later!” I waved to them and hurried into the gallery.

Bethany, one of my old interns who had agreed to watch over the gallery for the weekend, met me with a tight expression.

“Hey, Bethany, how’d it go?” I asked, already walking toward the studio.

“Everything went fine. But, Rose, there’s someone—”

“Ah, Rose Rafferty, is it?” a voice boomed from a corner of the gallery. “About time.”

A short, balding man with a huge mustache bustled forward, holding out a meaty hand boasting several gold bracelets. A gold necklace nestled in the carpet of chest hair protruding from his deep-V sweater.

“Jeremiah Oswald the third, at your service,” he said as I reluctantly shook his hand then quickly let go.

Realization slapped me. “Ozzy,” I breathed.

24

FLYNN

Wyatt dropped me off at the gallery at my request. I still had my duffel bag, but I didn’t want to make Rose wait.

Eagerness bloomed in my chest at the thought of seeing her again as I whisked the door open.

But then my stomach crashed to my boots when I saw her talking to a beaming Ozzy.

His voice carried to me. “My boy’s been talkin’ about me, huh? Where is he, by the way?”

“Here,” I said loudly, striding toward them.

They both glanced at me. Ozzy looked like…Ozzy. Rose wore a t-shirt and leggings, and still had her overnight bag with her.

I groaned inwardly as Ozzy’s bushy eyebrows shot up. He looked from my bag to hers. “Out of town, were you? Couldn’t have given me a heads-up?”

I stopped in front of him, dropping my bag at his feet. “None of your business. What are you doing here?”

“Other than enjoying this quaint little town you come from? Just waiting for you, since you won’t respond to any of my calls or texts.”

Rose shot me a questioning look, but I couldn’t look at her.

“I told you I’d let you know when I was done,” I growled at my agent.

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