Chapter 63
Anna
It was only five days into Flynn's requested week, and I was already in serious danger of falling for real.
And why?
It was because they'd been five of the happiest days of my life. For whatever reason, Flynn had stepped up his game, making our fake relationship seem achingly real.
We'd gone out nearly every day, sometimes multiple times a day. We browsed the little shops downtown. We went out to lunch or dinner. We even went out for coffee, even if Flynn seldom drank it.
But hewasgood company regardless of where we were or what we were doing.
On one of these outings, he'd even insisted on buying me a pair of hiking boots in case I wanted to join him on the trails. But the funny thing was, lately he hadn't been hiking at all.
We'd been far too busy.
After spending each day in public, we'd spend each night hanging out at his house, usually watching movies in his media room. Some of these movies hadn't even come out yet, but through some Hollywood connection, Flynn had gotten early digital copies.
It was like living a dream, except for one huge distraction. Fake or not, the romance wasn't so easy for me turn off like a switch when the day's public performance was done.
During those public outings, he only took things as far as I was willing, meaning as far asIinitiated. But the truth was, I'd been initiating far more contact than I should've.
Oh sure, it was a great act – the not-so-secret embraces and long, lingering kisses that made me weak in the knees. Of course, the tabloids were eating it up. I knew this, because I'd seen the coverage with my own eyes.
But in private, we were strictly hands-off, and it was starting to make me a little crazy. Every once in a while, I'd almost forget that we were just pretending. At these times, I'd come dangerously close to falling into his arms or snuggling up next to him on the couch, just like we were a real couple.
And then, there were the deepest, darkest parts of the night. Behind my bedroom door – now fully repaired – I'd stay awake wondering what would happen if I wandered down the hall and into Flynn's bed.
But I never did, well, except in my dreams, but that hardly counted.
Still, with every passing day, I was falling harder under his spell. Today had been no exception. We'd just finished having coffee at my favorite shop, where we'd held hands across the table and laughed like total idiots over each other's list of possible waffle ingredients.
None of them were appetizing, but I was having the time of my life.
After leaving the coffee shop, we'd been strolling downtown when he'd asked me to wait while he ran a quick errand. I didn't know where he was going, and he'd refused to say, which only made me more curious.
I was standing exactly where he'd left me when I heard a familiar female voice say, "Don't tell me he dumped you already?"
I whirled to look. Standing on the nearby sidewalk was Mackenzie of all people. She was holding several shopping bags and smiling like she'd caught me starring in a donkey show.
I almost groaned at the sight of her. Until now, today had been one of the sweetest days ever, and I dreaded the thought of Mackenzie turning it sour. Without bothering to reply, I stepped aside, hoping she'd just keep on going.
But of course, she didn't.
Instead, she stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and gave me a quick once-over before saying, "Well, at least you got some decent clothes out of the deal."
Heat rushed to my face. She was right of course, but not in the way she thought. Yes, Flynnhadpurchased the clothes that I was wearing, but he'd said nothing about letting me keep them.
I replied, "Clothes aren't everything, you know."
She gave me a dubious look. "If you say so." And then, she smirked. "So did he?"
"Did he what?"
"Dump you."
I stiffened.No. Because we're not really together.