She rummaged through her bag and pulled out her phone. When she murmured “Nat” as she checked the screen, I let a thousand bad thoughts go on a deep exhale.
“You can call her back if you want. I’m going to grab a shower.”
Lynx nodded but was quiet, seeming to be taking in her surroundings.
“Want to go out there?” I asked.
“The balcony?”
I nodded.
“I think so. I love how the windows are wide open, no drapes.”
“I didn’t really give it any thought, but thanks. Come on.”
I opened the door and pulled out a chair for her. Ocean air surrounded us, and a hundred memories washed over me of the night we met on the balcony in Vegas. I’d wanted to be her knight in shining armor even back then.
A chill ran down my spine as I walked back into the air-conditioning to give Lynx some space.
Could I pull it off?
IWALKEDthrough the balcony doors a while later and took in the beauty in front of me ... and I don’t mean the water. Lynx was lying back in the chair, large sunglasses over her eyes, the sun beating down on her face.
“Natalie good?” I asked.
“She’s coming to visit. Wants to take me to some frou-frou shrink. Thinks I need to talk to someone, and she’s pulling theI’m practically your momcard.”
“Do you think it would help?” I asked, all innocent as I sat down next to her.Hey, I went to prep school; I’m not all hood. I know a bit about reverse psychology.
“I don’t want to talk.”
“Sometimes it may help. I don’t know.” Leaning forward in my chair, I took her hands in mine.
“I want to close the door, not reopen it. I feel like all that talking is like cutting fresh wounds.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that sort of happening anyway?” I asked, hinting at the cuts on her palm without saying the words.
She shrugged without looking me in the eye.
“Is Sammy talking to someone?”
She nodded.
“Does it seem to be helping?”
Another shrug.
“How about we actually talk and not only nod and shrug,” I said, calling her out. “I’m here for you, so let’s discuss it. Maybe you’ll give it a try and see? It could help, plus Nat’s coming all this way.”
“Maybe.” She squeezed my hand, and I held hers tighter. “Just maybe. I don’t know.”
At least she was talking.
“Is Ash coming? The kids? I can’t see him not checking out the Firefly.” I got a smile and a sparkle in her eyes with that question.
“The whole gang is coming, so I’ll meet the twins and see Quinney. God, he’s going to be so big.”
“Turning into a nice young man. That’s why Asher wanted the hotel. Wants to give him something a hundred percent legit. If this works out, we’re going to build another. Boutique luxury experiences, private, secluded. Not huge enormous monstrosities, but smaller, catering to people’s whims.”
“I hope Quinney remembers me.”
It was awesome to see her face light up when talking about Quinn.
“Babe, no one could ever forget you. Even a scrawny kid you used to babysit.”
Another smile and sparkle from her made my heart swell.
Winning.
