Page 52 of Finding New Dreams

Ozzy and the client could wait.

I wanted to finish what I’d started.

14

ROSE

Every night for a week after the dry run, I messaged Flynn via the dating app.

Ridiculous since we had each other’s phone numbers and could’ve just texted. But there was something about messaging ArtsyHotGuy3234 that felt more flirtatious and fun. More like that first night when we knew hardly anything about each other.

Obviously, I knew more now, and he still didn’t fit my list. But there was nothing wrong with a few flirty conversations, right? Neither of us was under any illusions about the end result of this.

Plus, he thrilled me in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. As long as I didn’t lose my head—or heart—over it, everything would be fine.

I’d reminded him that the gallery would be closed Saturday for Lumberjack Jam and asked if he was going to be there. He’d simply sent a winky face back. So as the roar of chainsaws kicked off Lumberjack Jam to the cheers of hundreds of people, I couldn’t help skimming the crowd again and again. But no luck.

On the town square stage, four huge men in flannel shirts and suspenders, including Carter, revved their chainsaws and raced to carve faces out of their tree stumps.

Next to me in a flannel and jeans—like most of the crowd—Sarah jumped and screamed encouragement. Within two minutes, Carter shouted triumphantly, lifting his chainsaw above his head.

Pierce, who was taking the mayor’s place as emcee, proclaimed Carter the winner of the first event, and Sarah raced over to plant her mouth on Carter’s. More cheering ensued.

I looked away to scan the crowd again, then spotted Gina and Dom hurrying up to me with big smiles.

“Did we miss it?” Gina huffed. Her makeup and braided bun were flawless, and she wore jeans and a flannel shirt like her son. “I couldn’t find my keys again.”

I slung an arm around Dom’s shoulders, giving him a hug. “Carter won, and you’re both gorgeous.”

Dom blushed and ducked his head but didn’t move from my grasp.

Gina grabbed a handful of my plaid midi skirt and swirled it around. “Hot damn, is this the skirt you picked up a year ago from the Butterfly Boutique? It’s perfect.”

“Yep. I think I got the last one in my size too.”

I felt him before I heard him. A solid wall of warmth and spice and man at my back.

“Now that is a dress you can twirl in.”

My heart grew wings in my chest, and I spun around to face Flynn. My reply died on my lips. His hair hung past his stubbled jaw, and he’d ditched his usual dark jeans and boots for a black-and-blue flannel shirt, suspenders, rugged work pants, and brown lace-up work boots. His shirt had several buttons undone and the sleeves were rolled up on his impressive forearms.

He looked every inch the sturdy lumberjack, and holy shit, I never knew a lumberjack could be so hot.

Obviously, Sarah had always had a thing for them, and I’d seen plenty of romance books with this kind of man on the cover. But now I understood.

I’d let this man chop down trees, build me a log cabin, then ravish me in front of the roaring fireplace.

“Did I lose you there for a minute?” Flynn teased, his knowing smirk belying the tension in his eyes.

I blinked. “Oh, uh, sorry. What’d you say?”

“I was commenting on how twirlable you look right now.”

My laugh came out a little high-pitched. “Oh, thanks! Hey, I don’t know if you’ve met Dom yet. Gina’s son.”

Flynn and Dom greeted each other with a firm handshake as Dom gave Flynn and me a suspicious glance.

Then Gina gave Flynn a hug and a wink. “Lookin’ sharp. You fit right in.”

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