Page 5 of Flynn (Foxy’s Rent-A-Date #4)

I couldn’t stop fidgeting. It had been several hours since Sofia had called about Flynn, and we were now in the elevator going to meet the wedding party for dinner.

Flynn had been hard at work editing enough photos for us both to have, even some that could pass as us but weren’t.

We’d had several short photography sessions where we changed clothes enough to look different, and Flynn changed anything that needed it.

While he’d worked on that, I’d gone over our cover story and committed a lot of it to memory, plus things I needed to know about him that any girlfriend would.

This was where our history came in handy, and I was glad for things I didn’t have to memorize but already knew.

But before I knew it, we had less than an hour to change and be ready for dinner and judging by the onslaught of messages we received, word had spread about our hidden relationship.

“You look beautiful,” Flynn said in the quiet room of the elevator.

I flicked him a grateful smile but concentrated on not passing out.

I’d always sucked at lying, but I was now in the deep end and needed to become a master at it.

The dress I was wearing was light and flowy, cinched around my waist in a way that emphasized my curves.

My shoes were cute little strappy sandals with a tiny heel, and I’d done my hair up in a fancy twist to keep it off my neck.

The humidity on L’Amour Island was no joke.

I glanced at Flynn from the corner of my eye and inwardly sighed.

He was wearing a pair of jeans and a simple grey T-shirt that went a long way to emphasize the muscles he now possessed.

Sure, he’d worked out a little as a teenager, but that was nothing compared to now.

I glanced once again at his jeans and my skin pricked with perspiration.

How was he not feeling suffocated in them?

“Are you ready?” Flynn asked as the light on the elevator showed us nearing the ground level.

“Nope,” I said with a fast exhale as the elevator doors slid open to reveal the lobby.

There were a few people milling about, cushioned chairs and lounges spread about in strategic places, and several potted plants.

Large bay windows encircled the whole room, allowing for maximum light and beautiful ocean views.

As we stepped out, Flynn turned more fully to look at me and rested his hands on my upper arms. His skin was scorching against mine, and I drew in a shaky breath.

Pale green eyes searched my face, and even looking at him eased the panic in me a little.

“Ara, we have this. We already have a good friendship we can build off. I know we haven’t spoken in a long time, but I promise, I’m not much different,” he assured.

I shook my head. “You are, but in a good way.” A small grin tugged at his lips and his fingers gentled on my arms, stroking slightly.

“You’ve changed too. You’re more confident now and you know how to handle yourself.

This situation is just for a few days. Together, we can do it.

Do you trust me?” I searched his face and softened at the earnest expression in his eyes that seemed to need me to say yes.

I’d always trusted Flynn growing up, even when everyone outside of his immediate family tried to tell me he was bad news.

My gut had said different, and I’d been right.

Pulling in a steadying breath, I straightened my shoulders and nodded.

“Yes.” His smile was breathtaking, and he swayed closer.

“Good. Then know I’ll do right by you, Angel.

I’ve got you. Don’t worry so much. Just be my friend, and I’ll do the rest. Deal?

” I nodded and he grinned again, hands sliding up to the sides of my neck.

I was certain he could feel the fast thrum of my pulse against his palm, and my breath stuttered as he leaned closer to me.

God, was he going to kiss me? Here? Now?

My body remained frozen as his face get closer.

At the last moment, he turned his head and kissed my cheek, dangerously close to the corner of my mouth.

“Breathe,” he reminded in a whisper. I did as he said, forcing oxygen into my lungs and I smiled awkwardly.

“Sorry.” “Nothing to be sorry for, Angel.” His entire demeanor was calming, and I tried to soak in some of the confidence he wielded so easily.

My stomach flipped at this new nickname, and I was just about to speak when a high-pitched squeal sounded across the room.

We turned in time to see Sofia streaking toward us, her face alight with glee.

I stepped back in time for her to throw herself at Flynn.

Grinning, he caught her, his strong arms lifting her off her feet.

“Hey there, Princess Sofia,” he said warmly.

She pulled back with a giggle and pushed the fall of her hair away from her face.

“I can’t believe you’re here !” Flynn flashed that easy grin and reached out to take my hand, tugging me closer so I fell against him.

I braced a hand on his stomach to balance myself and internally swooned at the defined muscles beneath my palm.

Flynn winked at me when I glanced up at him.

“I couldn’t refuse Ara when she asked me to come.

” His eyes were bright and his smile inviting, and I found myself mirroring his expression.

“I figured it was time,” I said with an easy shrug as I turned back to Sofia.

Her gleeful eyes bounced between the two of us with excitement, her hands clasped in front of her chest like she could barely contain herself.

“I can’t believe this is real!” For a split second I worried we were found out, but Flynn squeezed me gently and chuckled.

“Sometimes I can’t either. That this woman would want me after all this time?

I’m a lucky guy.” “Awe!” Sofia gushed with an excited little jump.

“My boy!” Flynn’s head jerked up at that booming voice, and his arm slid from around me as his Uncle Trevor made his way over to us, his wide grin telling me all I needed to know about how he felt about Flynn’s appearance at the wedding.

Trevor was a big, burly man with a good amount of muscle and a softness to his belly that weirdly suited him.

He had a few of his own tattoos, a decent beard, and eyes that sparkled when he really smiled.

Trevor used to be a biker back in the day, and he’d gotten into some pretty shady stuff with some terrible people.

He often said the best thing that ever happened to him was a driver running him off the road when he’d been on his bike.

The accident landed him in hospital and broke his back—among a litany of other bones—but it put his life in perspective and brought him his wife.

She’d been his nurse, and he insisted it was love at first sight for him.

She said it was the pain meds. Flynn and Trevor hugged tightly before thumping each other on the back and pulling away.

Sofia stepped away and gave me a quick wave and another happy grin before disappearing to talk to other guests.

“It’s good to see you, son. It’s been too long,” Trevor said, a small reprimand in his tone.

Flynn ducked his head and nodded before he edged back a little.

“I know, Uncle Trev. I’m sorry I let things get so quiet between us.

It’s nothing to do with you.” Trevor’s eyes sparkled, and he waved a hand, dismissing the notion.

“Course I know that. Life gets busy and things happen. But let’s not let it get that way again, yeah?

” “Agreed,” Flynn responded with a grin.

I gently reached out to take his hand and he turned to look at me with a smile, pulling me closer.

From being so close with the family, I knew Flynn hadn’t spoken to much of the family for a while, and I had seen the way it worried Trevor.

Now that Flynn was out of the Army, I knew he worried Flynn was falling back into old habits with the wrong people.

“Uncle Trevor, I guess you’ve heard our news,” Flynn added, turning back to his uncle.

I followed suit to find the older man’s eyes already on me, sparkling good naturedly.

“Word spread like wildfire, boy,” he said before he pulled me in for a giant bear hug.

I laughed in surprise and returned the embrace before he set me back on my feet.

Flynn took my hand again at once and kept me tucked close to his side.

Trevor shook his head and chuckled. “I gotta say, I’m shocked we didn’t know, but I’m not surprised this happened.

” “Really?” I asked, my head tipping to the side.

“I wasn’t sure about you ,” Trevor said to me before turning his warm gaze on Flynn.

“But I knew you had feelings for her as a teenager. We watched you carefully to make sure you didn’t try anything back then, especially with you being older and getting into all sorts of trouble.

” I looked at Flynn and froze at the abashed look on his face and the way he raked a hand through his thick hair.

“Geez, thanks, old man. Way to embarrass me,” he said, not looking at me.

“She always had a way of getting through to you when none of the rest of us could,” Trevor added with a shrug.

“I’m not saying anything everyone didn’t already know and see with our own two eyes whenever you looked at her.

” “You had a thing for me when we were younger?” I asked with an amused smile.

Flynn sighed and refused to look at me. “Alright, let’s move on, yeah?

How’s Aunt Carol?” Trevor opened his mouth to respond when a feminine voice cut in.

“Do I get to say hello now?” Trev stepped aside to reveal Carol starting in our direction.

She was a small woman, barely reaching five feet even, with blonde locks steaked liberally with gray and her pale blue eyes shining with joy.

Flynn stepped forward to hug her at once, and I watched the relief on her face when she wrapped her arms around him.

My heart clenched at the obvious love she had for him, and I wondered why Flynn had let the distance between them get so great when they obviously cared a lot about him.

“It’s good to see you again, Aunt Carol,” Flynn said as she slowly let him go.

He paused with her hands on his cheeks, her eyes searching his face as if she could see everything he was hiding behind his eyes.

“We’ve missed you,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you too,” Flynn said, leaning forward to kiss her cheek.

I watched her face break into a grin as she let him pull away and Trevor didn’t waste any time wrapping an arm around her and tucking her beneath his shoulder.

“And you, Miss Chiara. You sure know how to keep a secret,” she mused with a knowing glint and a wide grin.

I ducked my head, uncomfortable with lying to these two beautiful people.

“We knew it would cause a stir, Aunt Carol. We just wanted to make sure we were in it for the long haul before creating waves,” Flynn answered for me, tangling our fingers together.

“Understandable,” she said, but her eyes flicked between the two of us curiously.

“That makes sense,” Trevor added with a small sigh.

I glanced up at Flynn to see him already looking at me, and the wink he sent my way had me blushing.

“Have you spoken to Ellis yet?” Trevor asked, drawing our attention back to him.

Any warmth I’d felt suddenly fled and I shook my head.

“No. Sofia seems happy, but we haven’t seen Ellis yet.

” Carol sighed. “Give him some time and grace to adjust. He was in love with Chiara, and their breakup put him in a funk for a long time.” I squirmed uncomfortably and dropped her gaze.

His family was just as much mine, and the idea of losing them because of the rift between Ellis and I was too terrible to consider.

Flynn stiffened beside me, and when I glanced up at him, I saw the way his jaw clenched and eyes narrowed.

“Ellis doesn’t have a right to be so upset.

Besides, he moved on with Chiara’s best friend, and she accepted their relationship with grace.

I don’t think it’s too much to ask he do the same for us.

” “Just…” Trevor hesitated. “It’s his wedding weekend.

Let’s try to keep the drama to a minimum?

” Flynn nodded, and I smiled reassuringly.

I’d keep the drama down if he did. As if speaking of him summoned him, Ellis stepped into the lobby then and his eyes locked on Flynn almost immediately.

The venom in his eyes took me aback, and I frowned.

I knew things between them had always been contentious, and something had happened a few years back to cause a giant rift, but I had no idea he still held onto such animosity.

Flynn’s grip on my hand tightened, and I knew he had not been looking forward to this confrontation.

Sneaking a peek at him, I found his face a mask of indifference.

Anything he felt was firmly locked away, and I wondered if he felt as strongly about Ellis.

Sofia took her fiancé’s hand as they both made their way over to us, and her nerves were there clear as day.

She wanted Flynn and I together, and she loved him like a brother, but I knew she was in a tough spot due to Ellis’s feelings toward Flynn.

“Flynn,” Ellis greeted stiffly as they stopped in front of us.

“Ellis,” Flynn responded shortly. Both men continued to eye the other for several seconds before Flynn sighed and held out his hand.

“Congratulations, man. I’m happy for the two of you.

” It took several seconds, but Ellis finally gripped his hand and nodded.

“Thanks.” They dropped the handshake, and we all looked between them, waiting.

My gaze fell to Sofia and her eyes widened and she shrugged.

“Uh… should we maybe… go in for dinner?” I asked awkwardly when no one spoke.

“That sounds great. I’m starving,” Trevor agreed, smiling gratefully at me.

Ellis and Sofia turned to follow Trevor and Carol toward the restaurant, and I looked up at Flynn, giving him a moment to breathe.

“You good?” I asked, tugging on his hand when he watched Ellis’s fading figure.

He turned his attention to me, and I watched the tension ease from his shoulders, and the shadows in his eyes dissipated.

“I am now, Angel. Let’s go get you fed.” Ignoring the way the nickname sent butterflies loose in my stomach, I nodded and let him lead us into the restaurant. Tonight was going to be… interesting.