Page 19 of Property of Fox

“So…do you get to stay, or are they going to deport you back to Indiana?” Hallie asks.

“First off, this is still the USA. They can’t deport me back to another state. Secondly, yes, I can stay. Getting home, on the other hand, is going to be a bit of a different story.”

“They put you on the no-fly list for flirting with a flight attendant?” Az chuckles.

“Turns out, he’s the fucking grand poohbah of the federal air marshals for this area. Of all the women to flirt with, it had to be his girl. I swear someone’s cursed me.”

“No one has cursed you,” Hallie reassures me. “You just don’t know when to keep it in your pants.”

If they only knew just how wrong that statement is right now. It’s been months since I fell into bed with one of my regular booty calls. Turns out, the older you get, the more they want commitment and not just a damn good dicking.

Eden’s eyes twinkle as she pokes my arm. “Well, look on the bright side! You could always write

“Hey, at least you’re here now,” Az says, tightening his protective grip around Hallie's waist. “Let’s get you out ofthis place before they decide to launch a second round of questioning.”

“No argument there,” I reply. “Lead the way.”

Eden retrieves her phone from her pocket. I watch as her fingers fly over the screen. “The car service should be here in a few minutes.”

Just then, a black SUV pulls up in front of us, its tinted windows making it look distinctly like something out of a movie. The driver steps out, greeting us with a respectful nod. Eden jumps into action, leading the way. “You first, my dear prisoner!”

With a chuckle and a mock bow, I slide into the back seat, followed closely by Hallie and Az, who settle next to each other. Eden perches herself in the front passenger seat, smiling wide.

“Because of Fox’s date with the plane police, we’re going to miss the grand entrance, but there’s still the welcome party tonight.”

“Oh, right!” Halle exclaims. “The Prom Night.”

My ears perk up at the word prom. Az looks over to me with the same bewilderment in his eyes. “Prom?”

“Oh yeah,” Hallie chimes in. “Everyone is supposed to dress up. like we’re going to prom. It’ll be fun.”

“The fuck it will. I am not doing that.”

Eden shifts in her seat, glaring at me. “Yes, you are. Remember, you agreed to this weekend, and you’re being compensated for your time. The welcome party isn’t up for negotiation.”

I feel the air in the SUV grow thick with tension. Hallie and Az exchange a glance as if silently weighing the pros and cons of deterring me from my stubbornness.

“C’mon, Fox,” Hallie says sweetly, her emerald eyes shining with encouragement. “You can’t just waltz in looking like you crawled out of a dumpster after your airport adventure. How arewe supposed to make you our mascot for this weekend without something a little flashy?”

“A mascot?” I quirk an eyebrow, my amusement creeping back in despite my reluctance. “I didn’t sign up to be your spirit animal.”

“Nope! You agreed to help work my table and pose as my fake boyfriend, and that means embracing everything my publisher and I require of you, including dressing up for a welcome party,” she adds with a mischievous grin, “the girls love a bad boy in a suit.”

“I’m not sure ‘bad boy’ and ‘suit’ should even be uttered in the same sentence,” I retort, crossing my arms defiantly over my chest.

“You can wear your leather jacket over it,” she replies smoothly, completely ignoring my resistance. “Add some killer boots. It’ll be perfect!”

“Lighten up, man. It’s just a party. Plus, it could get you some attention from the ladies.”

“That’s rich coming from you considering you’re here with your girl, and I am here playing the fake boyfriend,” I shoot back.

“Hey, it’s not my fault you’re lacking in the commitment department.” Az laughs, tilting his head toward Hallie. “And besides, everyone knows you love the attention. You just don’t want to admit it.”

“There’s a difference between attention and fucking embarrassment.”

“It’s a fine line, but trust me, my publisher won’t embarrass you too badly,” Eden reassures me. “They’ve already sent over something for you to wear tonight, and they have your outfit ready for tomorrow. The hair and makeup crew will be by first thing in the morning.”

“You know what. I think I’d rather take my chances with the handsy air marshal than anything you just said, Eden.”

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