Page 12 of Flynn

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 onL’Amour Islandwas 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 alongway to emphasize the muscles he now possessed. Sure, he’d worked out a little as a teenager, but that wasnothingcompared 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 toneedme 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, andI’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’rehere!”

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 hereallysmiled. 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.

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