Page 138 of Gold Rush

So … it’s me. I’m missing something that Cammie and Molly and all the other women he pursued had, and I need to accept that.

“I’m sure.”

“Okay.” Cammie turns back toward the hotel, then back around again to face me, completing the circle. “Rory, I—Cap—I mean, Sawyer—said you’re dating Flynn?”

I stiffen. Nod.

“I’m sorry about last night. If I—I haven’t seen him in years. Nothing at all has happened between us recently. Since you guys got together, I mean.”

Cammie thinks I think he cheated on me with her. Because I’m the girl who gets cheated on. Because Carson’s infidelity has followed me here and will follow me into my next real relationship, if it ever exists.

“Thanks, Cammie,” I force out. “Nice to see you.”

She gives me a sympathetic smile, then heads back inside.

I continue toward the parking lot, unlocking Flynn’s fancy car and climbing inside. I lock it again once the door is shut, inhaling deep breaths. It smells like him in here.

More tears prick my eyes. I miss the time when I thought that his sole objective for receiving his trust fund was being able to buy another overpriced vehicle.

He’s trying to set up a foundation in honor of his friend who died. And he needs the money from his father to do it. I’m sure Kit offered funds, and I also understand why Flynn would want to do it himself. It’s the same reason I stayed later in the library than anyone else and applied to every available internship and tutored any classmate who asked for help.

Flynn and I aren’t as dissimilar as I always thought. We’re the same in the ways that matter most.

I blink a few times, then snap on the seat belt and reverse out of the spot.

One of the biggest upsides to visiting the Hamptons this time of year? No traffic. I drive aimlessly, not having to stop once. I keep moving. I always keep moving. There’s always some objective or goal ahead. I just need to decide on a new one, assuming my bar results next month are what I think they are and I become a fully licensed attorney. I’ll be able to take on more responsibility at work. I could text Clay Hardmann; I have his number from working on law review together. Or Knox. But both men are tainted by Flynn. They’ll ask questions about our relationship—how it ended, why it ended, if I’m really over him—that I don’t want to answer. I can’t ask Flynn for the dating advice he originally promised, not now. Naomi will also ask questions since she saw us together at Bowery Line.

How the hell did fake dating Flynn Parks for three months manage to infiltrate every fucking corner of my life? I was with Carson for four years, and cutting him out was a painless process, aside from the public humiliation.

You weren’t in love with Carson.

Meaning I am in love with Flynn. Which is probably true and absolutely awful.

He calls me while I’m parked by the spot Wren brought me bluffing. I let it go to voicemail, then drive to Scarlett and Crew’s house. If he asks later, I’ll say I was already here, helping set up for the brunch. But when I get to the house, I don’t head straight inside. I sit in the driveway, staring into space, until a knock on the passenger window gives me a mini heart attack.

Bash waves, grinning, and I unlock the doors.

“Hey,” he says, sliding into the seat. “Sorry. Thought you were Flynn. Isn’t this his car?”

“Uh, yeah. We drove out here together, so I’m … borrowing it.”

“Oh. Right. Still getting used to the you guys are dating thing.”

I nod.

Bash studies me. “You okay?”

“Great.” I muster a smile. “Just tired. I woke up before Flynn and thought I’d come see if I could help.”

“Mom and Dad have it pretty under control. Collins and Kit are already here since Dylan’s been up for a while and they didn’t want him to wake the whole hotel, but you beat everyone else.”

My stomach sinks. I don’t want to see Kit. Don’t want him noticing I’m upset and asking Flynn about it. That will ruin everything.

“Oh. Okay. Well then, I guess I’ll head back to the hotel and pick up Flynn. I was thinking he’d get a ride over with Kit and Collins, but if they’re already here …”

My phone begins buzzing again. Him again.

Bash glances at it. “Wanna talk about it?”