“Okay, keep Friday night open. Got it,” Flynn said. “And you might as well stay here for the weekend.”
He was inviting Zach to stay for convenience. That was all. Definitely not because he wanted him around for an extended period.
Well. Maybe alittlebecause he wanted Zach around.
Okay, definitely because he wanted Zach around, but also because itwouldbe convenient, and it’d make it easier to pretend they were really living together, which married couples tended to do.
Even if they definitely weren’t ready for that, married couple status aside.
“I can’t ask that of you,” Zach said between mouthfuls of bacon. He seemed to be enjoying it, so at least Flynn had gotten that part right.
“You’re not asking,” Flynn responded, a sense of deja vu washing over him. This was almost the same conversation they’d had when he’d first offered to stand in for Aiden.
Zach sighed, sitting back again. “You’re too kind for your own good, you know that?”
Flynn smiled wryly. “Heard that before,” he said, remembering havingthisconversation with Zach, too. “You’re gonna have to learn to accept that.”
“I’m just not used to it. Not from anyone other than my grandma, anyway,” Zach said. “I’m not sure I’lleverbe used to it.”
“Look, I got you into this mess, for better or worse. I’m planning on seeing it through. I promise.”
“For better or worse?” Zach raised an eyebrow.
“We arereallymarried,” Flynn said. “And I’ve looked after you, haven’t I? So technically you didn’t even lie to your grandma.”
“I don’t think she’d see it that way.” Zach straightened up again, starting in on the rest of his plate.
“Which is why we’re gonna show her what she wants to see,” Flynn said. “As long as that’s whatyouwant.”
Zach nodded. “It is. Or at least… it’s the best solution for everyone, I think. I want her to believe I’m okay. And Iamokay. So… yeah. If you’re happy to play married again…”
“I am,” Flynn agreed. “I’ll even kiss you right in front of her if you want.”
A dark blush colored Zach’s cheeks as he looked down at his plate. “I’m probably not gonna say no to you kissing me. Even if itisin front of my grandma.”
Joy welled up in Flynn’s chest, giddiness at the thought that Zach wanted to be kissed,by him, making him grin broadly.
“See? Everything’s gonna be fine. Come back here when your class is over and we can talk about… stuff that might come up.”
Zach looked up at him, half a piece of toast in his mouth. “Stuff that might come up?” he asked between bites.
Flynn shrugged. “Like… how we met, for example.”
“Oh.” Zach frowned, obviously seeing the problem. “Right, because the truth would be…”
“Not ideal,” Flynn finished for him. “I mean, for most stuff we should probably stick as close to it as we can and just… not contradict each other, but for everything else we need to get our stories straight.
“Or gay,” Zach teased. “I’m proud of you, by the way. For not freaking out.”
“It’s not like it’s a big deal.” Flynn shrugged, deciding not to mention that hehadfreaked out a little in front of Callie. He’d gotten over it since then. “My brotherandmy best friend are both gay. And so is my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” Zach licked his lips, hope shining in his eyes, and that wasexactlythe reaction Flynn had wanted.
Excitement made his stomach feel tight. Boyfriend soundedawesome, and that was definitely something he wanted from Zach.
“Boyfriend,” he confirmed. “If that’s… cool with you. I know it’s kind of a downgrade from husband, but…”
“It’s an upgrade from random stranger you married to help him out,” Zach said. “Boyfriend works for me.”
