Page 8 of Flynn (Foxy’s Rent-A-Date #4)

I wanted to smack Flynn up the back of his head, but right after selling our romance to the table was not the time to do it.

What the hell was he thinking? “What do you mean you were her first kiss?” Ellis gritted out.

“I mean out of the two of us, I was there first.” “You’re lying,” Ellis returned.

Flynn cocked a brow. “I’m not. I was her first kiss…

and her second… and her third, now that I think of it,” he said musingly, his smile meant to needle Ellis.

I yanked my hand from his grip, and he turned to look at me with a small frown.

Ellis shook his head. “Chiara and I kissed at the party. Everyone saw it. Everyone knew she’d never kissed anyone before because her parents wouldn’t let her date.

It was a huge thing everyone knew.” “And Sofia mentioned knowing Ara kissed someone at the party who obviously wasn’t you.

That someone was me,” Flynn continued, turning back to Ellis.

Ellis’s gaze jerked to mine, and I sighed.

“Chiara?” “Does it really matter?” I asked a little desperately.

“That was all high school stuff, and you’re about to marry my best friend and love of your life.

Can we leave all that in the past?” “I know who I’m marrying and who I’m in love with,” Ellis said sharply.

“But I want to know if the beginning of our relationship was a lie.” “I never lied to you,” I defended.

“The hell you didn’t. I spent years thinking I was the only guy you’d kissed, and now Flynn tells me different.

So, which is true, and what else don’t I know?

” I turned my desperate gaze to Sofia who spared me a sympathetic smile, but when her gaze slid back to her fiancé, I saw the sliver of hurt in her eyes and my anger at Ellis grew.

None of this even mattered anymore, so why was he making it such a big deal?

“Well?” he prompted angrily. I sighed and shook my head.

“Flynn isn’t lying, and neither did I. That night I panicked when the bottle landed on me because I’d never kissed anyone, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about you.

I went inside to catch my breath, and I was about to leave the party altogether when I realized the room I’d taken refuge in was Flynn’s.

He was there and he asked me if I was okay, and I told him everything.

He told me I didn’t have to kiss anyone or pay the price for refusing to go through with the rules, but I wanted to be like every other person at that party for once.

” “Drunk and kissing randoms?” Ellis snapped before turning his angry glare on Flynn.

“You were eighteen, she was a minor, and you convinced her to kiss you while she was under the influence. You’re a fucking predator, Flynn.

You should be locked up.” Flynn stiffened beside me, but Trevor snapped at his son to watch it before anyone could say anything.

“I wasn’t drinking,” I said before anyone else could.

“I never drank at those parties, and you know it. You were the one always trying to get me to loosen up and rebel a little, but I didn’t want to drink.

Flynn had just turned eighteen. That doesn’t magically make him capable of grooming me when a few weeks prior he was considered a minor as well.

He even made sure I hadn’t been drinking.

I told him I didn’t want an audience for something so personal, and he offered to be my guinea pig so that I’d have privacy.

He didn’t force me to do anything or take advantage of me.

I was completely of sound mind, and to be honest, I wanted to kiss him.

” Ellis glowered. I shook my head and took a steadying breath.

“Flynn and I had a connection whether you believe it or not. It was what made it so easy for him to talk to me. Somehow, we clicked. But I knew he was angry at the world and liked to break the rules, so I never let myself get carried away with feelings for him. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t times where I wondered what it would be like to be with him or allow myself to recognize that I was attracted to him.

” Ellis frowned. “So, all those years I thought there had only been me were, what? Funny for you?” I bit back a frustrated sigh.

“First, there weren’t that many years. Second, I never said you were my first kiss, and you never asked, you just assumed.

Never once did I think such a thing could be such a huge deal for you.

I never lied to you about anything, Ellis.

” A heavy silence fell on the table and Flynn tried to take my hand again, but I jerked it away, angry at him.

We’d talk later about his actions tonight, but now was not the time.

“Look, all of that is in the past,” Trevor said calmly.

“We’re here to celebrate Sofia and Ellis getting married, so maybe we should just focus on that?

” There were small agreements among our group, and I watched as Ellis scowled at Flynn again before turning his attention to Sofia and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

She smiled, but even from where I sat, I could tell it didn’t reach her eyes.

What the hell was so wrong with Ellis that he couldn’t let the past go and appreciate what he had now?

Sofia was not a consolation prize. She was amazing.

Aunt Carol and Uncle Trevor tried to get the earlier air of celebration and frivolity back, but there was no escaping the awkwardness that now sat among the guests, and after dessert, everyone dispersed quickly.

I made my way over to Sofia and pulled her in for a hug.

“I’m so sorry, Sophe. If having Flynn here is too much, he can leave.

It’s no problem.” Sofia squeezed me tighter and pulled away.

“No, don’t be silly. Flynn is my friend too and I want him here.

Ellis just has a hard time letting things go where Flynn is concerned.

I’m not quite sure what’s up between those two, but it’s always been this way.

” I frowned. “I don’t know what their issue is either, but I’m going to find out.

” Sofia squeezed me tight again. “I’m just happy you’re happy.

It’s about time.” Guilt stabbed at me again, but I hugged her and tried to justify my lying in my head.

It would all be over soon; I just hoped things didn’t blow up before then.

We said goodnight to everyone else, and before long, Flynn and I were back in the elevator headed for our room.

Instead of heading for our room, I led us down the long corridor to the terrace that ran along the west side of the building.

The air between us was tense, and the fact that Flynn followed me in silence told me he knew I was mad at him.

The minute I reached the banister, I turned to face him, my mouth open and ready to tear into him.

“I know what you’re going to say, and I’m sorry.

” Blinking, I frowned, and he stepped closer, his face full of contrition.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen, for everything to come out like that.

I was mad at Ellis. He has a way of getting under my skin.

I just wanted to wipe that cocky fucking grin off his face,” he continued, a growl of discontent accompanying his words.

“You were purposely needling him, Flynn. I saw your face and that smirk when you saw you had one over him. You wanted to one-up him, and you didn’t even take a second to consider Sofia in all this or me.

Just as long as you made Ellis angry, it was worth it to you.

” To my surprise, he didn’t even bother to deny it.

I watched him take a deep breath and nod.

“You’re right. I’m sorry, but you’re right.

Ellis and I… we’ve never been close. He’s always been a dick to me, and I don’t think I’ve ever left him hanging when he’s come after me looking for a fight.

I don’t know how to back off, and I make sure to get under his skin to even the playing field.

But you’re right. I didn’t consider Sophe or you.

I just wanted to piss him off.” Well … I sighed and shook my head.

“I thought having you here would create some waves, yes, but I thought we had a story to stick by. I didn’t think you’d start trouble.

” “I wasn’t going to, I swear,” he assured, stepping close to grip my upper arms. His green eyes were full of earnest pleading.

“I want to help you pull this off. I promise I’ll be better.

I won’t let Ellis work me up again.” I rolled my eyes.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Flynn.

” He sighed. “Okay, I promise to try . Will you take that?” Watching him carefully, I slowly nodded.

“I’m going to need you on your best behavior, Flynn.

I mean it. If Sofia feels like her needs and her celebration are coming second to the news of you and I, then this pretend dating thing ends immediately.

I don’t want her to feel like second place on her wedding weekend.

Tonight is the first and last time that happens.

” “Understood,” he hurried to say. “And if you feel yourself getting furious with Ellis, let’s have a code word.

You say it, or I say it if I feel like you’re getting too worked up and you find an excuse to leave, or we both do.

” “A safe word?” he asked, raising an eyebrow before that cocky smirk curved his lips and his eyes brightened with mischief.

“Kinky. I like it.” I rolled my eyes but didn’t pull away, determined to make sure he understood.

“You get it, though, right? I appreciate you being here for me and helping me to pull off this charade. But I already feel guilty enough that we’re lying about being together, that I was desperate enough to make up this farce.

But if us fake-dating only brings about more drama this weekend or makes Sofia feel like crap again, I’m pulling the plug and coming clean.

” Flynn smiled softly. “Ara, I get it. I promise you, nothing like tonight will happen again. Not on purpose, anyway. I’ll do what I can to defuse situations, or I’ll walk away when I can’t.

” I stared up at him for a long moment, desperately hoping to see truth in his eyes.

When I was sure I wasn’t just seeing what I wanted to see, I nodded and let out a long breath.

“Okay,” I whispered, a small smile on my lips.

His eyes dipped down to my mouth and I realized how secluded we were, how close we were.

We were on a dark balcony, alone, with me pressed against the banister and Flynn standing so close I could feel the heat coming off his body.

I watched in fascination as his lids turned heavy and his lips parted.

I could have sworn he was leaning closer, but I couldn’t much tell over the headrush I was feeling— “So…” At the sound of a new voice, Flynn and I jolted apart, and I stepped away from him to see Kate standing in the doorway, her long red hair loose, her eyes wide and unblinking.

“Kate,” I whispered as panic set in. “Do I, uh… should I pretend I didn’t hear all that?

Or can we talk about you two faking this whole relationship?

” “Fuck,” Flynn whispered under his breath.

I hurried over to her to take her hand, scanning behind her quickly to make sure no one else was around before I looked back at her.

“What are you doing out here?” She raised an eyebrow, her smile small and amused, before she held up my handbag.

“You forgot this. I was bringing it back up.” I bit back a groan and took my bag, desperately trying to find a way to explain away what she had to have heard.

“So, you two aren’t together?” she asked, looking between Flynn and I.

“Umm…” I started, hesitating as I tried to figure out how to answer.

“How about we take this somewhere else?” Flynn suggested calmly.

“And then you’ll answer my questions?” Kate asked.

“Yeah, we’ll explain,” Flynn answered, stepping closer.

Kate looked from Flynn to me, and back again before she nodded and started down the hall in front of us.

I looked up at Flynn when he stopped beside me, and he tangled our fingers together.

“It’ll be okay,” he whispered. I shook my head.

How could it be? The second the hotel room door closed behind us, Kate turned to look at us, arms crossed and face expectant.

“Spill.” I sighed and tossed my bag onto the bed before sitting down and taking off my shoes.

“Yes, we’re faking our relationship,” Flynn started.

Even though she’d overheard us and already knew this, Kate’s eyes widened as she looked between us.

“But… why?” I frowned. “What do you mean, why ?” “It’s just…

” She hesitated and shook her head. “You guys are so good together. Until I heard what I heard on the balcony, I honestly thought you two were so in love. The chemistry between you alone was enough to send me into early ovulation.” Flynn cough-laughed into his fist, and I snickered and shook my head.

“Colorful.” “Seriously!” she cried. “I bought your story, hook, line, and sinker. The way you two look at each other… how can that be fake? Some of it has to be real at least,” she said, her voice almost pleading.

I sighed and shook my head. “I’m sorry, Kate.

It’s not. Flynn and I started talking again this morning when his plane landed.

Before that, we hadn’t spoken since he left when he was eighteen.

” Her mouth fell open, and I wanted to frown at the look of disappointment and something that looked an awful lot like betrayal.

“How can that be?” she whispered. “You two are meant for each other. Maybe you don’t see it yet, but I do, and I’m always right about these things.

” I rolled my eyes. “The way you were right about Ellis and I being a cute couple?” She shrugged.

“I wasn’t wrong. You did make a cute couple standing side by side.

I never said anything about you guys being soul mates.

” “I don’t believe in soul mates,” I reminded.

She gave me a look of exasperation. “Just because you don’t believe in something, doesn’t mean it’s not real.

” “Kate,” Flynn interjected, and I was glad that he was finally stepping in.

“You’re not going to tell anyone, are you?

” She frowned. “I don’t even know what I’d say if I did.

I don’t understand what’s going on. Why lie?

” Flynn looked at me, waiting to see what I wanted to do.

I sighed and loosened my hair from its tie before running my fingers through it.

“You remember when I was drunk, and I said something about having a boyfriend these last few months?” Kate nodded.

“Well… I panicked when you told me I’d said that.

I drank wine and posted my situation on RateIt, and someone—well, they came up with an idea for me to fake a relationship,” I said, stopping myself just in time from mentioning Foxy’s.

I didn’t know if Flynn wanted anyone to know that he was a date for hire, and I wasn’t about to out him if he wanted to keep it secret.

“And you chose Flynn ? Couldn’t have found someone more controversial, like that Tate douchebag?

” I scrunched my face in disgust. As if I’d ever go anywhere near that waste of oxygen, red-pill-bro, social media douche.

“I…” I started, not sure how to answer that.

“Look, Kate,” Flynn cut in. “How it happened isn’t really important.

Ara was drunk and made some calls. I wanted to help her after the way she’d been there for me as a kid, and I stepped up.

We came up with a story and did what we had to do to make it believable, then we put it into action.

” “But why you ?” she pushed. “You had to know that you being here would cause shit to hit the fan. Ellis has never gotten over being dumped by Chiara, and he’ll probably always carry a torch for her.

He’s hated you since forever, and you had to know seeing his ex with you would make problems.” “We did think about it,” I said with a grimace.

“I was going to pull the plug, but then Sofia saw photos of us at the café and got all excited, and so we were screwed. We didn’t think Ellis would have this much of a problem,” I explained, dropping my head into my hands as guilt assailed me once again.

This was such a mess. Someone moved, and the bed dipped beside me before strong hands pulled mine from my face.

Flynn’s concerned green eyes met mine and I hung my head.

“Hey,” he whispered, tilting my head back up toward him.

“We’ve talked about this. It won’t happen again, and we’ll make it work.

Just give me another chance to make it right.

” I sighed tiredly, not sure how he planned on doing that, but he’d promised to do better on the terrace, so I had to give him a chance.

I nodded and his thumb brushed my jawline as a small smile softened his lips.

“Are you kidding me right now?” Kate cried.

I jumped at her sudden outburst and pulled away from Flynn to look at her.

Her arms were crossed over her stomach and her face a mask of exasperation.

“What?” She threw her hands up into the air in frustration and scoffed.

“You two!” she cried. “How on earth do you two not see what’s happening here?

You’re faking a relationship, but you’re gonna fall in love, and then what?

Where does this relationship go? Who moves in with who?

Someone is gonna have to step up and be the grown up and actually express their feelings here.

You two can’t play pretend forever.” I blinked in confusion.

“Umm, we won’t play pretend forever, just for this wedding,” I answered slowly.

She groaned loudly and started for the door, her hand running through her long red hair.

She turned to face us, her hand on the doorknob.

“I’m not talking about faking for the family.

I’m talking about you two pretending you don’t have feelings for each other.

You might be fooling everyone with how this relationship started, but you two are only fooling yourselves if you think it’s not real.

Everyone else can see it. It’s why we bought the whole story.

” I shook my head, my stomach knotting. “Kate, that’s not—” She held up a hand.

“Don’t say it. I know what’s happening here, and deep down, you two do as well.

It’s one of my all-time favorite movie tropes, but it’s so frustrating to witness in real life.

Just… think about what I said.” I looked back at Flynn whose face was annoyingly blank and then back to Kate when she opened the door.

“Kate,” Flynn called, standing. She turned to look at him, eyebrow raised in question.

“You won’t say anything to anyone else, will you?

” She sighed. “I love Sofia, and I’d never want anything to outshine her big day.

I’m not the biggest Ellis fan honestly, so I don’t care about him.

But there are a lot of people who risk being hurt by the truth here, so no, I won’t say anything.

I stand by what I said, though. You two need to have a real conversation about your feelings.

” “There’s nothing—” I started but she waved me off.

“Don’t wanna hear it. I love you two, and I love you even more together because I’ve always felt you were meant to be.

So, don’t screw it up.” With that, she closed the door, and we were left in heavy silence.

When Flynn’s green eyes found mine again, I shook my head and attempted a shaky smile.

“She’s always been a little wild, that one.

” He nodded, the corner of his mouth crooked up in a small smile.

“Yeah, I remember.” Silence fell again, and I tried not to replay Kate’s words and their meaning in my head.

That way led to danger, and I couldn’t afford to get caught up in it now.

There was too much at risk. “Alright, well, since we’re back a little earlier from dinner than I anticipated, I might spend some time on the last of the photos,” Flynn explained, breaking the silence.

“Sure, no worries,” I returned and stood.

I needed a shower, and a drink, and several hours of uninterrupted sleep.

I also needed to make some calls and make sure everything was running on schedule for Sofia over the next few days.

“I’m gonna go shower, then I have maid of honor duties to look into,” I said, backing toward the bathroom.

Flynn’s gaze followed me, something warming in those green eyes before he nodded and looked away. “Alright, Angel.”

~

I came out of the shower a while later with my head screwed on right.

The mental pep-talk I’d given myself had helped me to redirect my mind to matters that I could actually control.

I trusted Kate to keep this news to herself, so I didn’t worry she’d tell anyone about our charade.

And honestly, it would be nice to have someone on our side who knew the truth.

I wasn’t sure what the rest of this week held, but there was a lot that could go wrong, and having someone else in the know might come in handy.

I was dressed in a pair of soft cotton shorts and a tank top.

I would have worn something that covered more of me if I’d known Flynn and I would be sharing a bed, I’d have brought more modest pajamas that covered more skin.

I felt that the less bare skin that came into contact with Flynn was for the best, and I knew I was a snuggler in bed.

Knowing my luck, I’d attach myself to the man in the middle of the night and never let go, and I didn’t want lots of bare limbs touching him.

That way would lead to confusion. I hadn’t really thought through the sleeping arrangements when I ordered a fake date for the wedding.

I’d been drunk, after all, and desperate to cover my ass.

My thoughts had only gone as far as find a boyfriend!

Now I was just glad that Flynn had been the one I’d reached out to and not some random.

Flynn was still hard at work on the laptop, and my phone was lit up with several messages from him.

He’d been sending through the photos as he did them, and I couldn’t stop the weird tightening in my chest as I scrolled through them.

We really looked like a couple; we looked happy.

Blowing out a quiet breath, I shook my head and shot Sophe a message to make sure she was okay before checking my emails to get confirmations on things for the next few days.

An hour passed in silence as we worked separately, but eventually my eyes were burning and the exhaustion of the day caught up with me.

“I’m going to bed,” I said softly. Flynn turned to face me and nodded, his gaze seeming to drink me in.

“Want me to make up a bed on the floor?” I shook my head and smiled.

“Don’t be silly. There’s plenty of space and we’re not teenagers anymore.

Just please… wear underwear at the very least.” He grinned and waggled his eyebrows.

“Where’s the fun in that?” I shot him a mock glare and he laughed.

“I can do that, Ara. Will I keep you up if I stay on the laptop for a few more hours? I can have all these done tonight and not worry about it after that.” I shook my head and moved to the closet to pull out the two spare pillows.

“Once I’m asleep, I’m like a light. You won’t wake me.

” “What are you doing?” he asked, watching me lay the pillows down the middle of the bed to create a wall.

“I tend to invade space when I share a bed with someone. Sofia once described me as a baby raccoon clinging to its mama.” Flynn laughed, and I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips.

“So, the pillows are meant to act as a barrier?” I shrugged.

“I hope. I’m not altogether sure it’ll work though, so if at any point you wake up with a human cling-on attached to you, just roll me away.

And I apologize in advance.” “Alright,” he said with a small laugh, gaze softening.

“Sleep well.” I felt awkward at the idea of sleeping while he was still awake, but I needed a clear head for tomorrow, so sleep was a must. “Night, Flynn.”