“Why?”
“Because we’ll be there for each other.” He takes hold of my other hand and steps close enough to kissme. “I’ll always take care of you, Flynn. I will always love you.”
“Hmm, isn’t that a song?”
He snort-laughs. “Want me to sing?”
“Absolutely not. And I’m not going to sing, either. No relationship could withstandthat.”
Cackling, Jimmy tugs me into the block of flats. “Come on, Flynn Carter, it’s time to christen your new home.”
“Umm, we’ve already done that. Lots.”
“No. We christenedmynew home. Now it’s going to beyournew home. Which means we have to do it again. Unless you’ve got a problem with that?”
“Nope. No problem at all.”
“This is the start of our life together,” Jimmy says in a more serious tone. “Looking forward to it?”
“More than anything.”
EPILOGUE
JIMMY
Flynn hugs the folder he’s prepared to his chest and looks at me with wide eyes. “Are you sure we can afford this?”
I squeeze his shoulder. “Yes. I’ve been promoted to assistant manager, remember?”
I’ve spent the last year loving my job, picking up extra shifts when needed, and doing as much training as I can. I even suggested we should turn one of the smaller rooms we use for classes into a sports massage room. My boss loved the idea and sent me for the training for it. When the assistant manager handed in his notice a month ago, my boss pulled me aside and told me to apply for the job.
“How could I forget when you remind me every five minutes.” Flynn teases.
"Want me to stop?"
"Not yet. You can stop when you get promoted to manager.”
I shrug. “That’s a way off. My boss isn’t going anywhere. But that’s okay. I’m going to be the assistant manager.” I do a little happy dance, knocking my knees against the steering wheel. It’s a good thing we’re parked in the farm courtyard. “I can’t wait to start.”
Flynn leans over and kisses me. “You’re going to be amazing at it.”
“Yeah, I know.”
He chuckles and rolls his eyes. “So modest.”
“It’s why you love me.”
“One of many reasons.” He kisses me again and then sits, staring straight forward out the windscreen, holding the folder tighter. “What if Tony says no?”
“What if he says yes?”
Flynn has been working his arse off for Tony, using his knowledge of modern farming methods to boost productivity and profits. The farm’s doing so well that Angus’s mum dragged Tony on holiday for a fortnight, leaving Flynn in charge. He had help from a couple of students looking for summer work. We spent that week living on the farm. The commute to the gym wasn’t so bad. I also slept well. Who knew being away from endless traffic noise would lead to better sleep?
With a bit of help from the bank manager, Flynn created a business proposal to become a partner in the farm. Twenty per cent ownership to start with, increasing over the next fifteen years to full ownership, just as Tony will be looking to retire.
He has a few more business proposals up his sleeve, too, including offering apprenticeships to trainthe next generation of farmers. My boyfriend has a big dream, and I love him for it.
“It will change things,” Flynn says.
