Page 21 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

She nodded. “Good.” She glanced at the door and the clock that hung above it. “Okay, I gotta run.”

We were both on borrowed time. If we didn’t get back to work before my stepmother’s meeting with Adelise ended, we’d be in trouble.

Stella stood, plugged the sewing machine back in, and gave me an apologetic glance. “I’m sorry about that.”

I shrugged and finished the seam I had started. I’d have to finish the rest of it some other time.

As Stella opened the door to leave, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps heading our way. My sister ducked quickly out the door.

“Why are you not working?” Elaine pointedly asked Stella. I grabbed a nearby bridesmaid dress and turned on the sewing machine to drown out the rest of their conversation.

It broke my heart knowing how desperately Stella longed to restore the relationship she once had with her mother. It was foolish to hope my situation would change after twenty years, but I still dreamed of having one, too.

Once upon a time, Elaine had treated me with kindness. But something happened to her, and all her kindness vanished. Then my father died.

I wasn’t sure what I did to make her hate me. As a child, I was devastated. As an adult, I tucked it into a tiny place within my heart and pretended I didn’t care.

“Ashlyn,” came the calm, controlled voice of my stepmother behind me.

I eased my foot off of the pedal and the sounds of my sewing stopped. I’d hoped she’d leave me alone today.

“How was your evening?”

My eyes flew up to meet her calculated stare.

“Uh, good.” She never asked about what I did after work.

“Really? Just relaxing at home?” She acted like she knew something, yet I refused to take the bait.

“For the most part.” It wasn’t a total lie. I went home after working last night.

“Donotlie to me, Ashlyn.” She bit out each word slowly. “You know I hate liars. I have it on very good authority that you’re moonlighting at Prince Industries.”

I steeled my resolve and held her gaze, choosing not to say a word.

“I’ll assume your silence is an affirmative.” She took a few steps into the room. Although she was only a few inches taller than me at 5’7”, she always seemed to tower over me. “Nothing gets by me, Ashlyn. I know people. The fact that you thought you could keep it a secret is pitiful.” Her icy gaze froze me to the spot. If I had any doubt about her loving me, her look disabused me of that notion.

I kept my mouth shut. I had no idea where Elaine was going with this.

“Your lack of intelligence almost makes me regret what I’m about to offer.”

My breath caught.

Was she saying what I thought she was saying?

“I’ve decided to fund your little venture.”

My mouth wanted to hit the floor.

“Are you serious?” I’d begged her on and off for months to consider my business venture, and suddenly she decides to hand the money over?

Something wasn’t adding up.

“Yes, you know I don’t say anything I don’t mean. Although, I do have one condition.”

That was what I’d been waiting for. Nothing was given to me, by Elaine, free of charge.

“I need you to find your way into Dean Prince’s office and steal the new wedding designs for this season.”