That I wanted to be comforted by Rhys was a contradiction because he was the reason I dreaded the next few moments. I would have to lie to my parents and my sister.

How had this fake dating business spiraled so completely out of control?

And where was that damn door to the sand-snake dimension so I could throw myself through?

Strike that.

I was absolutely shoving Franklin Fairchild through that door if it ever did make a miraculous appearance.

“I didn’t know you’d be here,” I wheezed out, my chest tight with anxiety. “Or that you knew Franklin Fairchild.”

Dad’s brows drew together. “Everyone knows Fairchild. Your mother is on several charity boards with Fairchild’s wife, Evelyn.”

I hadn’t known that.

Crap.

“Oh.”

“We had breakfast not that long ago and you never mentioned a boyfriend,” Easton mused, her tone unhappy. “Especially not one who looks like that.”

“Like what?”

She shrugged. “Like one of the strippers we’ll hopefully hire in Hawaii.”

“Strippers?” my parents said in unison, my dad’s eyebrows raised, my mother’s mouth open in horror.

Ignoring them both, I scowled at my sister. “Don’t objectify him.”

Easton grinned unrepentantly. “I wasn’t, my darling sister. I was merely making the observation that your boyfriend is rather fun to look at, and not at all what we’d expect. So, spill.”

Hands clammy, heart racing, I met my family’s inquisitive eyes one by one, and hated myself as I blurted out the lie Rhys made up. “We bumped into each other. Literally. I’d met Zoe for drinks. She had to leave for work, but I stayed to finish my drink. When I was leaving, Rhys was coming through the door and he nearly knocked me over. He asked if he could buy me a drink to apologize and …” I trailed off with a miserable shrug.

“Why do you look like you’re in pain?” Easton seemed caught between amusement and concern.

“And why is this the first time we’re hearing about this boy?” Mom huffed.

A nervous snort escaped me at my mother referring to Rhys as a boy. “Where’s Oliver?” I avoided the question, asking after my sister’s fiancé.

“Business trip. I decided to tag along with Mom and Dad out of boredom—and wasn’t that the best decision I’ve made in ages.”

My cheeks heated, and I glared at her. She smiled sweetly. “Mom asked a question.”

“I did ask a question,” Mom said, stepping close to touch my arm. “Why are you acting so strangely about your young man?”

“Should we be worried?” Dad already looked worried.

“Oh, ’rentals, leave her alone.” Easton shrugged, almost spilling champagne out of her glass with the movement. “Isn’t it obvious she’s being strange because it’s been a while, a long while, since she’s had a boyfriend? It still doesn’t answer Mom’s question,” she reminded me.

“I can’t remember you ever being as helpful as you’re being right in this moment.” I gave her a toothless smile. “In fact, you’re being so helpful, I might have to repay you for your helpfulness in the near future.”

This time her grin was wicked. “Nonsense. What’s family for?”

A growl burrowed up my throat.

“Parker, darling, that noise is very unladylike.” Mom shook her head. “Now, you were saying …”

Was the ground shaking? Or was that just my trembling knees? If my parents found out I was using my trust fund to pay a man to pretend to date me, they’d be mortified. Mortified and so, so disappointed. The air started to feel a little thin. “Is it warm in here?”

Easton’s lips trembled. “Outside, on the lawn?”

Oh shit.

I blinked in surprise, realizing I’d cursed in my head.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d cursed in my head.

I waited for my mother’s voice to infiltrate, to make me feel guilty for using bad language, but it was replaced with the image of her finding out I’d hired an escort.

Shit!

Rhys was right. That felt good. “Shoot” just didn’t alleviate the feelings of frustration the way a curse word did. And let’s face it … I was in deep shit.

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.

“Shit.”

“Parker Brown,” Mom hissed. “Language.”

By this point, Easton was giggling so hard, I’d have sworn she was drunk.

Cheeks blooming red, I threw my mother an apologetic look. “Sorry. It’s just …”

“It’s just what?” Dad strode forward to cup my cheek.

The concern in his dark eyes made me hate myself even more.

“Peanut, what’s going on here?”

Staring into my father’s eyes, I curled my hand around his wrist and gave him a tremulous smile. “I just thought I’d have more time to adjust to being in a relationship again before I introduced Rhys to you all.” The lie tripped off my tongue, every word making me more and more nauseated.

That feeling was further compounded by the relief I saw on my dad’s face. “Peanut, I’m just glad to see you moving on. If you need a little more space, we can do that.”