Page 125 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

I don’t know how he did it but standing right there, where our blanket had rested against the green grass under the trees, stood Juniper, Will, and John.

I smiled as I got closer. “He roped you three into this game, too?”

A few weeks ago at the grocery store I’d bumped into John. We got to talking, and I let him know if he ever needed a sitter for either Juni or Will to give me a call.

John chuckled. “Yeah, apparently Stella gave him my number.”

My sister was sneaky. I remembered that night. She’d told me her phone was dead and had to use mine.

“Thank you for helping out with this.” I gave him a grateful smile.

“Dad,” Will drew out his father’s name. “Come on, when are we giving Ashlyn the note?”

“How about you take it off Juni right now.”

“Yes!” Will grasped Juniper’s collar and slid the note attached to it off. “Can you tell me where you go next? I wish we could do a scavenger hunt. Oh, maybe we could go with you, Ashlyn.”

“Not today, sport,” John smiled at Will.

With shaky hands, I opened the letter.

Ash, it was here that we became “official.” I can’t tell you how much I wanted what we shared to be real. There were so many times I almost said those words to you, and instead, I let fear win and kept my mouth shut. I was afraid to scare you away and lose the fake relationship we had. But we both know we were kidding ourselves calling it fake. We had an instantaneous attraction and a love that crept up on us. Our relationship was destined from the start. I love you.

For your last and final clue, come find me where we first began. The night that changed my world forever. Don’t keep me waiting.

This time he signed it,With all my love, Dean.

My heart hammered in my chest.

He loved me unconditionally and was willing to take this leap to give us a chance after all. Thanks to his love letters, I was more than willing to do the same.

I hopped back into Stella’s car. “You know where to go,” I whispered hoarsely.

I was going to get my man.

When we drove up to the hotel, Stella parked in front and looked at me. “Go put him out of his misery.”

I winked at her. “I’ll think about it.”

She gave me a swift hug.

I got out of the car and pushed open the doors of the hotel. It took a second for my eyes to adjust as I searched the room for him. The moment they landed on the hallway going toward the ballroom, a picture of the alcove flashed in my mind.

That’s where I would find him.

My feet tapped a steady rhythm against the floor as I ran through the lobby. I hiked my dress up higher after it wrapped around my legs one too many times. It was slowing me down.

A few feet from the alcove, I skid to a stop.

This was it.

A peek of black showed between the potted plants still placed at the entrance, shielding the space for privacy.

He was right there.

My steps quickened as my heart beat just as fast. I pushed past the plants, and his broad shoulders filled my gaze. God, he was insanely sexy in a tux.

I was only mildly disappointed he hadn’t shown up in the ruffled shirt. Not that my body minded. Being this close to him my nipples tightened and a shot of desire flowed through me.