Virtuous(5)

“Fluff-o-Nutter.”

“Excuse me?”

“That’s her full name. Fluff is her nickname.” I don’t know why I tell him that, but when he laughs—hard—my stomach feels all fluttery and strange. I made Flynn Godfrey laugh. As he wipes a laughter tear from the corner of his eye, I discover I quite like making Flynn Godfrey laugh.

Well, isn’t this turning out to be a rather interesting day?





Chapter 2





She’s beautiful in the effortless, guileless manner of truly beautiful people who don’t know they’re beautiful. Her hair is a mass of dark curls, spilling from under a knit cap that looks homemade. The cold and the embarrassment of our encounter have heightened the color on her cheeks and make her full, lush mouth as red as a ripe strawberry.

I couldn’t let her leave without at least knowing her name.

Hayden was apoplectic when I told him I needed half an hour. “We’re all f*cking freezing out here, Flynn. You’re going to make us wait half an hour while you chase after a skirt?”

Only because we are the best of friends—most of the time—did I resist the urge to punch my director and business partner in the face. We’ve been grating on each other’s nerves for weeks as this interminable shoot comes to an end with these final shots in Greenwich Village.

A half hour isn’t going to make or break our budget, and Hayden’s cozy trailer is nearby to keep everyone warm. That is, if the selfish bastard chooses to share it with the crew. In case he doesn’t, I gave the key to my trailer to one of the grips, with orders to invite the crew inside for a break.

The dog named Fluff-o-Nutter growls at me as I contemplate her stunning owner, Natalie Bryant. “So, coffee? Yes?”

Her deep brown eyes take an assessing glance at the neighborhood. “We can go to Gorman’s. They’ll let me bring Fluff in.”

I’ve never heard of Gorman’s, but it’s fine with me if it means I get to spend a few more minutes with her. “Lead the way.”

We walk the short distance in awkward silence and step into a coffee shop where Natalie and Fluff are clearly regulars. The owner, a big woman named Cleo, makes a fuss over Fluff, who wriggles with delight at the chin scratch.

“How’s school going?” Cleo asks Natalie as she serves up what looks to be a skinny latte with skim milk.

I’m guessing, because Natalie doesn’t actually place an order.

I can feel Natalie’s gaze darting between me and Cleo and can sense her trepidation as she carries on a conversation with Cleo, who either hasn’t noticed me or hasn’t recognized me. Yet.

“It’s good,” Natalie says. “I got the best possible class for my first year. I love them all, and even the parents are great.”

“You’re lucky. My daughter is a teacher uptown and got the exact opposite this year. Bunch a brats, and the parents are worse.”

“Yikes. That’s got to be tough.”

“Does Fluff want a biscuit?”

“No, she’s been naughty this morning. No treats today.”

Fluff whines in protest.

“That’s three twenty-five, honey.”

“I’ve got this.” I step up to the counter before Natalie can pull out her wallet. I invited her. I’m paying.

Cleo’s eyes widen, and her mouth falls open. “You. You’re. You’re…”

“Flynn Godfrey. Nice to meet you.”

She screams. Loudly. So loudly that Fluff starts barking frantically while squirming in Natalie’s arms.

Cleo’s scream brings the entire staff to the counter along with some of the patrons. By the time I sign autographs, kiss Cleo’s quivering cheek while one of the staffers takes pictures, and get around to ordering a coffee for myself that she won’t let me pay for, I’ve used up a big chunk of my precious thirty minutes.

Looking at Natalie, I point to a table in the corner. “Join me for a minute?”

She glances around at the prying eyes fixed on us, and I hate how uncomfortable she seems. “Um, sure, for a second.” She settles into the chair I hold for her, adeptly managing the squiggling dog and her coffee.

This is the part of fame I absolutely hate. I’ve met a woman I find interesting, but I can’t take her for coffee without causing a three-ring circus. In fact, I rarely go out in public anymore without security, but I’ve decided to risk it for a chance to talk to Natalie. By now she’s probably convinced I’m far more interested in myself than I am in her.