Page 8 of Flynn

Amusement lit Flynn's eyes, turning the amber into molten gold. The gesture that did not come often softened his harsh features and relaxed the lines of his face. "I told her I wanted nothing to do with her. Lionel dumped her."

"We knew he would." Liam puffed on the cigar furiously. "She did you a favor, or rather, he did. What about him? Has he called to make amends?"

"He is steering clear. I believe he is trying to get my mother to say a word for him."

"Has she?"

"Mother is very protective of me." An indulgent smile came and went. "She told him to go to hell."

"Good for her. I like Julia. You will meet someone."

Flynn's thick black brows lifted. "Is that so?"

Liam nodded. "I have a feeling someone new awaits you just around the corner."

Flynn's rich laughter echoed around the space and provoked a grin from his friend. Liam felt a sense of acute relief that he had accomplished the impossible.

*****

"We have not done this in ages," Michael exclaimed. He quickly glanced at the woman opposite him before picking up his beer. "How are you handling things?"

Ryleigh cast him an amused look as she sipped her beer. "You have been asking me that same question for weeks. And I have been telling you the same thing. I am getting there. Work helps. You help a great deal."

"I wish you would give me permission to kick his ass, both of them." He told her feelingly, dark brown eyes glowering.

"That would hand you in lock up and require me to bail you out. It would also attach too much importance to everything and send the press into another feeding frenzy." She looked around the crowded room, absently noticing the couple in the corner, necking furiously and ignoring the people around them.

It had been ages since she had been to an establishment like this because Glen had firmly told her he had a reputation to consider. "We can go to my country club any time you like. They do serve beers there, you know." He had teased her. She had stopped hanging out with Michael so much because of him, another thing to despise the man for.

"It would have been worth it."

The quiet, deep voice had her turning her attention back to him. Michael Addington was a cop involved in a case she was prosecuting several years ago. They had gone out for a celebratory drink after she had wrapped things up and had become fast friends ever since. He was tall, slim, and outrageously handsome but had never moved on her.

When she first saw him, she felt a flutter inside her stomach and contemplated asking him out, but he had quietly told her that even though he considered her one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen, he preferred men.

They had become best friends after that. He did not flaunt his sexual preferences, and she had never seen him with anyone. When she asked him about it, he told her he kept his affairs to himself.

"Would it?" She asked mildly. "I am determined to get my life back, which means dismissing everything, Glen. I would appreciate it if you did the same."

"Okay," he nodded. We cannot talk about your failed relationship, and we certainly cannot talk about work. What's left?"

"Why don't we talk about your relationship?" She asked with a smile.

He grimaced and took a sip of his beer.

"That bad?"

"Worse," he admitted grimly. "He asked me for money."

She gave him a concerned look. "That's what? Third time?"

"Fifth." Michael put his can down and shrugged broad shoulders. "It has become a habit."

"What's the story this time?"

"His sick mother."

"I thought you said his mother is married and living in Palm Beach."