Page 17 of Flynn (Foxy’s Rent-A-Date #4)

Three hours later, we’d all been well and truly pampered.

Hair was done, manicures and pedicures done, and a makeup artist would be by in a couple of hours before we were to get dressed.

I was sitting on Sofia’s bed and staring in awe at her wedding dress hanging on the hanger.

I’d seen her in it already, and she was a vision in it, utterly stunning.

The laptop was sitting on the desk with a zoom call connected so Sofia’s sister and original maid of honor—Chloe—could join in on some of the festivities.

“So, Luke’s parents are going to be okay?

” Sofia asked. Chloe’s in-laws had been in a horrible car accident several days ago when another car ran a red light.

The doctors hadn’t been sure if they’d pull through or not.

Chloe sighed exhaustedly and ran a hand through her damp hair, but her smile was relieved.

“It looks like they’ll make it, but they’re both going to be in the hospital for a week or so more yet, so we’re arranging schedules around their care.”

“I’m so glad they’re going to be okay,” I said, relieved.

“Same here, babe. Are you doing okay?” Kate asked as she poured us all glasses of champagne.

“Better now. Luke is doing better too, and it sucked seeing him suffer so much. Being an only child in that scenario has to be tough,” Chloe admitted.

“At least he has you,” Sofia reminded. “Here, here,” Kate said, raising her glass.

We all joined in, and Chloe smiled. I raised my drink in a toast. “And here’s to Sofia, the single most beautiful bride to date, my best friend, and one of my favorite people on the planet.

” She grinned, and Kate agreed loudly before we clinked glasses and took a sip.

Chloe had her own glass to raise, and she downed the whole thing and sighed contentedly.

“Are you nervous?” I asked when I noticed Sofia couldn’t stay still.

“A little. I think it has more to do with the performative aspect. You know, walking down the aisle in front of everyone and the possibility of messing up my vows,” she answered.

“At least the weather is gorgeous,” Kate pointed out.

Sofia beamed. “That’s true. We’re due to get sunset photos after the wedding, and I can’t wait!

” “Wish I could be there, hon,” Chloe said, disappointment on her face.

“Hey, your husband needed you more. There’s no resentment here.

I’m just glad you could video chat,” Sofia said with a grin.

“Me too. Ooh, one sec. Gotta pee,” Chloe announced, and we laughed as she disappeared off screen.

Kate started to speak, but the door opened and Ellis entered.

He looked around the room, noting everyone in it and grinned.

“Ladies.” “Hey, no seeing the bride before the wedding!” Kate called, standing to try and block Sofia.

I laughed because Sofia was a good three inches taller than Kate and it didn’t really work.

“But I wanted to come back for a nap. The guys had me out late and I don’t want to be this tired for the wedding.

It's going to be a long night,” he complained.

“Well, go somewhere else. You can’t be here.

Ask one of your groomsmen to crash in his room.

” Ellis groaned. “Fine, but can it wait a few minutes? They’re out at lunch and Flynn is in the lobby.

I’d rather avoid a confrontation,” he said, his mood darkening at once.

His pale eyes met mine, and I swear there was a little anger there.

“Fine,” Kate said, putting down her glass with a sigh.

“I’ll go see if I can get you a room to nap in,” she said, scooping up her bag and exiting.

“Flynn’s in the lobby?” Sofia asked. The note in her voice had me turning to look at her, but her eyes were on her fiancé.

Ellis grunted his response. “He was making himself comfortable on one of the lounges, so I don’t think he’ll be fucking off anytime soon.

” I frowned and pressed my lips together.

Right now was not the time to get into a shouting match over this.

“I’ll, umm, I’ll be right back. I need to ask Flynn something,” Sofia said, putting her glass down too.

“What? No, no you don’t,” I said quickly in panic.

“Be right back!” she shouted happily before she ran out the door, leaving me alone with Ellis.

An awkward silence fell over the room, and I could feel Ellis’s gaze on me.

“So,” I started, not sure what to say. “Are you nervous for the wedding?”

~

Flynn

“So, you two talked, but it didn’t go well,” Sofia said by way of greeting.

I sighed and turned to look at her over my shoulder.

“Aren’t you supposed to be all cozied up with your fiancé right now?

You guys are getting married tonight.” “I am, but my best friend and I were talking, and she said some things that made me step out of my romance bubble because clearly, I need to knock some sense into you.” I raised an eyebrow and she stepped up beside me, her expression exasperated.

I sighed. “Okay, what?” She stared at me as if weighing her words before speaking.

“Chiara wants you, dumbass.” I laughed a little awkwardly and shoved my fingers through my hair.

Yeah, I know that. She made it perfectly clear.

It doesn’t mean I’m good for her, though.

“She wants you, and she is a grown ass woman capable of making her own decisions and accepting the consequences. She is not a wilting flower or a shrinking violet. She’s not a fragile as you are making her out to be,” Sofia continued.

“What did Ara tell you?” I asked, wanting to know what I was working with here.

While I hadn’t sworn Ara to secrecy or anything, I hadn’t told her about my past so she could go and tell her girlfriends.

“Hardly anything,” she answered, annoyed.

“I could tell she was choosing her words carefully.” Before I could decide on what to say, she kept talking.

“You can’t break her, Flynn. You can’t taint her—whatever the hell you mean by that—she’s too strong.

Chiara has always known herself, even when she was a teen.

She never bowed to peer pressure or became someone different for others.

If she says she wants you, then you need to trust that.

” I sighed and hung my head. Sofia took the seat next to me and bumped my shoulder with hers.

“I don’t trust myself with her, Sofia,” I admitted.

“You’ll never trust yourself with anyone if you’re willing to let her go.

She’s not asking you for a wedding ring or to move in with her.

She just wants you to give your relationship a real chance.

Trust in yourself—in her—in the relationship, it’ll all come in time.

You just have to try.” I wanted to believe her, I really did.

After being with Chiara last night and waking up with her this morning, I knew I was running out of time.

The prospect of waking up without her in my arms every morning was beginning to weigh on me.

Even worse was the idea of her moving on with someone else and knowing they’d wake up with her wrapped around them.

They’d hold her, and touch her, and kiss her, and they’d go to bed every night with my woman in their arms. I was totally fucked.

“Chiara isn’t getting in over her head with you.

If anyone knows you, it’s her. She’s always known who you were, all the dark bits included.

Stop trying to push her away in some ridiculous attempt to keep her pure in your eyes.

Chiara is her own person with her own needs and desires, and apparently, you can give what she needs.

Stop treating her like a porcelain doll.

” I chuckled, thinking of our activities last night.

“I definitely don’t treat her like a porcelain doll.

” “Oh, ew , gross. I did not need to know that!” I laughed, and she shook her head before standing up.

“I want my friends happy, Flynn, both of you. Also, you two are throwing around some serious pheromones and it’s starting to disrupt the native wildlife.

Just get on with it already so the rest of us stop getting your residuals. ”