Page 31 of Finding New Dreams

But still, I could hardly focus on anything but Flynn’s face. His voice, his breath, his warmth. I truly did want to help him. But if I wasn’t careful, I’d end up handing over a lot more than the key to my studio.

There were too many reasons not to go down that road. One of whom I was meeting tomorrow so we could discuss my kissing her big brother.

Maybe, just maybe, this could be like the squirrel story—something we all had a good laugh about down the road.

But somehow, I doubted it.

9

FLYNN

I needed to unfollow my ex on social media.

After receiving a text from Ozzy telling me not to look at social media, that was exactly what I did.

I’d been lying in bed, already awake, flipping Rose’s key between my fingers and thinking about her giving it to me last night.

It was such a simple thing—a key. A key opened a door. But this one opened the door to Rose’s business, her gallery and studio. And maybe I was overthinking it, but it felt like it unlocked a layer of trust between us as well.

I wanted to use it. I had ample opportunity now. No excuses.

Yet, I still couldn’t get my ass up and into the studio.

Then I got Ozzy’s text and promptly went down the social media rabbit hole, scrolling my way to heartache. Because there was my ex, a gorgeous brunette with perfectly tanned skin, kissing some tatted-up gym rat in a backward trucker hat.

Felt like a wrecking ball swung into my stomach.

We’d only been broken up a few months. I hated to admit it, but I’d had a few one-night stands in the worst of the breakup aftermath. Meaningless hookups that made me feel worse than I already did. So instead I focused on partying hard and getting into trouble.

But from the looks of her social media plastered with pictures of her and this guy—traveling, half-clothed, or even in bed together—she’d found herself a new boyfriend. For however long that might last.

I didn’t even know why I cared or why it still hurt. I wasn’t in love with her. Not anymore. I wasn’t even sure I ever had been. Wouldn’t I know if I had been?

Scowling, I unfollowed her.

I had just thrown off my covers to get out of bed when I heard Chloe call my name.

“Coming!” I shouted back.

I grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of joggers from my open suitcase and got dressed. Opening my door, I called out, “Where are you?”

“In the master bedroom!” her muffled voice came from down the hall.

I hurried toward the closed door and hesitated before knocking once. Just to be safe.

“Yes, Flynn, come in!” she said, her tone exasperated.

Entering her and Hunter’s bedroom, I got a glimpse of their massive bed—neatly made, with a thick cream-colored comforter—and a wooden dresser with a small TV hanging over it. But my focus zeroed in on my sister standing before a floor-length mirror wearing a beautiful wedding dress.

I didn’t expect the knot of emotion that suddenly clogged my throat seeing Chloe in the strapless ivory dress with its lacy, beaded overlay. But it finally hit me. My little sister was getting married.

Her blue eyes met mine in the mirror, and she grimaced. “Sorry, I know this is weird, but I really wanted to try this on before doing a dry run with my bridesmaids. Just to see if there were any problems. And, well, the first problem is that I can’t zip this all the way up myself.”

True enough, her arms were twisted behind her back, trying to reach the zipper, which still had a good inch or so to go.

I raked my loose hair away from my eyes and tried to swallow past the emotion. “Yeah, sure, no problem.”

“Thank you,” she sighed, dropping her arms.

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