Page 30 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

“Really?” He didn’t sound convinced.

“Mm-hm.”

He paused. “Okay.”

A triumphant feeling surged in my chest. Could this mean he would follow my lead and pretend everything was normal between us?

“So I’ve decided I do need a few things replaced if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all, sir.”

“Dean is fine. I don’t mind being called by my first name. What was yours again?” He got up and walked towards his bathroom.

Shit, what was he doing?

“Ashlyn,” I said, working to hide the tremor in my voice.

He opened the bathroom door and walked inside. When I made no move to follow him, he gestured with his hand. I forced my feet to move forward. I stood just outside the doorway, and noticed he was now standing in precisely the same spot he’d been when I’d first seen him in his towel.

Oh dear God.I bit my lip, afraid I might moan or do something else to embarrass myself.

“When I was in here last week, I noticed the shampoo and conditioner were low.”

They weren’t. I had checked last night and had changed them out with the specific brands he preferred. It was part of our executive level service. But if he wanted to find something to complain about, then far be it from me to say anything.

I nodded and pulled out my phone to take notes so it would look like I was listening. He didn’t need to know I was only typing in random words and letters. I tried to hide the laughter that bubbled up as I wondered if he was attempting to get under my skin because I wouldn’t admit the night we’d met here happened.

Wouldn’t he be shocked to know that wasn’t our first meeting? Now, I was reasonably confident he didn’t recognize me. He was far too laid back as he teased me.

He gestured to the shower again. “I need more soap, and the shower could stand a good scrub this week. Have you seen this mildew? Think of the bacteria. I’m almost afraid to let you touch it. The colonies have gotten so big, the UN is holding a referendum to decide whether they’re large enough to be considered countries now.”

“Yes, sir. Anything else?” I fought the urge to grin and instead raised an eyebrow. He was being ridiculous. The shower was fine, as was everything else in this room.

“Dean.” He looked at me, the sides of his mouth curved up into a hint of a smile. “I could use some fresh hand towels.” This time he gave me a side glance. “I’ve been thinking I’d like them in fluorescent colors this time.”

Was he waiting to see if I would contradict him? I bit my lip to hide my laughter.

“Absolutely.” I replaced all of these while he was gone, but if he now wanted fluorescent towels then he’d get them. Two could play this game. I’d get him the ugliest ones I could find.

He was testing me.

“And more of those body towels. I seemed to have used the last one the night I ran after you.”

“You didn’t run offafterme—” I gasped. He had and I just outed myself.

Oh, shit.

“I did.” A cocky grin covered his face.

I couldn’t reconcile this guy running after me. Unless he wanted to fire me. If that were true it would have already happened. I needed to know why. “Why would you do that?”

“I don’t know.” His hand rubbed at the back of his neck. “To apologize, or maybe—” he stopped abruptly.

“Maybe what?”

“It’s nothing. I’m sorry about what happened. I should have locked the door.”

I snorted with laughter and quickly covered my mouth in embarrassment.