Quantum: The Complete Paperback Bundle, Books 1-8

Flynn

I put down my fork and take a sip of my wine, surprised to discover I’m nervous about what I want to say next. “Speaking of tuxedos and champagne, next weekend is the Golden Globes, and I seem to be a nominee. I’d love to take you with me if you’re not busy.” I wish I’d had the forethought to record her reaction to my invitation. It’s priceless and precious. 

“You… You want…”

I cover her hand with mine and wait for her to look at me. “I’d like to take you to California as my date to the Golden Globes. If you’d like to come.”

“I… That’s very nice of you, but I have work. School. I… I have nothing to wear.”

“We can fix you up with something. The designers would go crazy over you. You’d have them standing in line to outfit you. And you might have to take one day away from school. Do you have any personal days?”

“Three, but…”

“Maybe you could take one? We could fly out on Friday night and get you a dress on Saturday. See some sights, visit my parents and the rest of the family. The show is on Sunday, so we’d fly home on Monday. Back to school on Tuesday.”

“You’re serious.”

If only she knew how serious I am about her. “Very much so.”

“You just met me today! You can’t give me the key to your apartment and invite me to the Golden Globes after knowing me for twelve hours!”

I glance at my watch. “Is that all? Seems like I’ve known you longer than that.” More like forever. She’s blown into my life and my soul like a tornado and left me permanently changed. Why and how that’s possible, I can’t say. It just is. “Think about the trip. You don’t have to decide anything tonight.” I nudge her and redirect her attention to the food. “Finish your dinner.”

“I don’t know if I can eat any more.”

“Did I upset you?”

“No. You surprised me.”

“I’m two for two on the surprise front.”

“What I don’t understand…” She shakes her head as if she’s reconsidering what she’d planned to say. 

“What don’t you understand, Natalie?” I’m desperate to know, but I keep my expression neutral, hoping she’ll tell me without me having to beg her.

“I… I said I won’t sleep with you.”

“And?”

“And nothing. Why do you want to take me away for the weekend when you know nothing will happen?”

“How can you say nothing will happen? I’ll get to spend three whole days with you. I’ll have the chance to introduce you to my family and show you the house where I grew up as well as my home in LA. I’ll get to take you to one of the most exciting events of the year in Hollywood. I’ll see your eyes light up with delight every time you meet someone you’ve admired from afar for years. I’ll have you by my side to talk to when the show gets long and boring, which it always does. Maybe you’ll hold my hand when my category is announced? And afterward, I’ll have the most beautiful date at all the parties. How can you call that nothing?”

• Found Family
• Office Romance
• Erotic Romance
• Hollywood Romance
• Age Gap Romance
• Friends to Lovers Romance
• Alpha Male Romance