Page 10 of Fools Rush Flynn

But I decide to wait. We can always discuss clothing requests later.

I go about making sure my bed is ready for her, then grab some extra bedding and bring it out to the living room.

But her words keep echoing in my ear.

I don’t want another wife, real or otherwise. But I can’t tell her that. I hate that she’s so unsure of herself, that it’s so natural for her to assume that I couldn’t possibly want her. Temple is one of those people who stands out in a crowd. A supernova in the midst of fading stars.

Maybe through this experience—while I’m her husband—I can show her just how spectacular she is.

chapter

five

Flynn

ME: I think I’m in trouble.

CRUZ: Ask me if I’m surprised.

ME: Yeah, yeah. Can you just hit me with some of your wise old man advice?

CRUZ: Ouch. I’m only forty. You act like I’m the crypt keeper over here.

ME: Sorry.

CRUZ: I’m assuming you want to know what to do about the fact that you’re in love with your wife.

ME: Whoa. Did not say love.

ME: Do I want to fuck her? Yes. And often.

ME: But love? Seems unlikely.

ME: I knew her growing up because she’s Daisy’s best friend. But we don’t really know one another as adults.

CRUZ: And you want to know her in the Biblical sense. I get it.

ME: I’m bringing her to the festival tomorrow. It’s going to be our practice evening of behaving like a real couple before we have to go to her grandmother’s birthday party.

CRUZ: Her grandmother who is dying? That one?”

ME: Don’t try to make sense of the wealthy elite from Houston. They’re a whole different breed of Texan.

CRUZ: So this weekend will be what tells you how to proceed.

ME: Meaning?

CRUZ: Meaning you’ll know one way or another if you just want to do the naked hokey pokey with her or if you want to wife her up.

CRUZ: Again.

CRUZ: For real.

CRUZ: Whatever.

chapter

six