Page 12 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

I stopped pacing and sighed. “I know. It’s not your fault.”

“True, but I really thought you’d covered everything in your plan. I thought she’d consider taking a leap because the idea would work.”

“It still will.” I worried my bottom lip for a moment. “I need to save more money. With your mother blowing through the little money my dad left for me, I don’t have enough. I’ll need a second job that won’t take away from this one.”

Stella cringed. I hated to remind her Elaine had invested most of the family money into the boutique and anything else she desired. Dad had trusted her completely and hadn’t made any stipulations on where our money was supposed to go. Elaine had free rein.

“I have money put aside that my dad had put in a trust for me. It’s not a lot since his business was failing just before he died. Maybe I could be a silent partner or something,” Stella offered.

“Stella, no.” I rushed over to her. “You are so sweet and wonderful, but I can’t take your money. You said you were saving to move into your own place.”

Stella winced. “It’s okay. What I have is yours. I know you’ll make it back and more. I believe in you, Ash. But even with my money, it’s still not going to be enough to get started.”

I drew Stella in for a quick hug. “It’s a start, though. I’ll find a second job. I can begin looking on my break.”

Stella bit her lip and whispered, “I might have an idea.”

I leaned away from her and tried not to laugh. Knowing my stepsister, it wasn’t illegal, but having her so hush-hush about it made me curious. “Uh, okay.”

She looked behind her to make sure no one was nearby before she shut the door and continued to speak softly. “Mother was talking to Adelise earlier, and I overheard her making snide comments about Prince Industries. Apparently, they’re expanding, and I’d assume looking to hire more people. Mother was most concerned with how our stores were going to keep up.” Stella shook her head and rolled her eyes.

Prince Industries had its hand in various businesses across the world—including bridal stores. Their store was our only real competition in town. They were a larger company, controlled by a man who was worth billions. I still wondered why my stepmother tried to compete with him.

Stella took out her phone. “Let me check their website and see what positions they might be hiring for.”

Elaine would probably kill me if she knew I was working for the enemy. The idea sounded better and better.

Stella’s fingers flew across her screen. A frown worked its way across her face, making my initial optimism begin to waiver.

“So far, the positions are in accounting, event planning, human resources, and a few of their other divisions.”

Even with my degree I didn’t have enough experience to apply for those jobs. I shrugged and looked down at the floor. “It’s okay. I’m sure we’ll find something somewhere else.”

Stella let out a gasp, and my head snapped up to look at her. She pushed her phone into my face so I could see the screen. “Look at this one!”

My eyes grew wide. They had openings for their cleaning staff, and the sign-on bonus was five hundred dollars after the first week. “They must be hurting for help,” I whispered and skimmed through the requirements.

I’d been cleaning up after my stepmother and stepsisters for years. I already knew I was qualified. Groaning, I reread the last sentence. “I have to start tonight if I even hope to get that bonus.”

My stepsister nodded.

I jumped when Burda spoke up from behind me. “What time do you need to be there?”

“6:00 p.m. I’ll never make it, Burda.”

“Do horses shit? Of course you will.”

I shook my head at her strange words. “Burda, that’s gross.”

She grinned at me. It wasn’t her swearing. I even swore on occasion. In fact, I’d learned them all from her. But that particular image was now, unfortunately, seared into my brain.

“Burda and I will cover for you until closing. According to the description, tonight is the only night you have to show up early. It’ll be fine.”

I glanced at Stella and Burda, not even bothering to hide my look of disbelief. “Fine. But if she finds out, I’ll then be out of this job too, you know.”

Speaking of the devil, my stepmother’s voice echoed through the shop, calling for Stella.

“She won’t,” Stella assured me before running off.