Page 47 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

I didn’t know how much longer Dean would be gone.

I held my breath, hoping to calm the beating of my heart enough that I might hear his footsteps as he drew closer to the office.

The silence in the room weighed on me. I knew it would only take a minute or two to finish capturing the dresses and the details. I held my phone over the next picture, and my hand froze.

Dean’s face flashed before me in my mind. He was the first person outside of Burda and Stella to believe that my idea was any good. I couldn't do this to him. Even if my stepmother blacklisted me or turned people against my brand, I would find a way to persevere.

As much as I wanted to have the money to start my business, I didn’t want to obtain it this way. I’d tarnish my company in ways I’d never be able to change.

My finger barely hovered over the trashcan icon. I tapped it, deleting the photo, before I changed my mind, and slipped the phone back into my pocket.

Dean came hurrying back inside his office. My hands quickly grasped the sides of the box to lift it off the desk.

“I’m so sorry. It took far longer than I’d expected.”

I forced my lips into a brittle smile. “It’s all right. I was just getting this stuff out of your way.”

He walked up beside me and looked down. A moment of panic crossed his face as he realized he’d left the designs out, and I’d seen them.

“Those are absolutely stunning.” I gushed. “This season’s dresses will be highly sought after.”

He smiled at me. The tension that had gripped his body at seeing me with the designs seemed to melt away. Gathering up the papers, he said, “Yeah, Henri outdid himself this year. And this release is what’s going to help me show the powers that be I can run this company.”

And me not stealing them would mean my dreams were on hold. “I think you have a winner on your hands, and I have no doubt you’ll continue your family’s legacy of success.”

His smile warmed my heart. “Thanks, Ashlyn. It’s nice to hear that.”

“I mean it. I told you before, people here believe in you and respect you as their boss.” I hesitated, not sure if I was crossing the line. “Is your father on board with you moving up?”

“My dad, absolutely. He’s made sure I’ve had the right experiences and has total confidence in me taking over. It’s been his dream for as long as I can remember, but the board isn’t seeing it. And he’s afraid that without their support, I’d face an uphill battle getting anything done.”

“That seems like a lot of pressure.” I paused. I knew a lot about people not believing in you. “I’m sorry you need to convince them that you can take on the job when you’ve already proven yourself.”

Astonishment flashed across his face. “Thanks.”

“It’s the truth.”

Dean now held the documents in his hand. “Let me put these away, and we can strategize about your business idea more.”

“Sure.” I was getting tired but didn’t want to lose this opportunity. Then I yawned.

Dean noticed and looked at his watch. “Oh, wow, Ashlyn, I hadn’t realized how late it was. Why don’t we pick up again another day?” He placed the designs in his filing cabinet and locked it before facing me.

Covering my mouth, I yawned again. Apparently, my lack of sleep the night before was catching up to me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“Why don’t we schedule a time during the day to talk, so you don’t have to rush off?”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that all of this planning was for nothing. By the time these wheels were set in motion, my stepmother would have already begun her plan to destroy me. But instead, I nodded, set a time, and picked up the box from his desk. I’d just placed it on the bottom shelf of my cart when I heard him call my name.

“Ashlyn, go to dinner with me on Friday?” He looked stunned that he’d asked.

My lashes beat a steady rhythm against my cheek as I tried to comprehend what I heard.

Misinterpreting my silence, he jumped back in, “Or not. If you think the situation is too weird, you can say no. I promise it’s okay.” He gave me a shy smile. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Dean could be sweet. He was trying to provide me with a way out.

While I knew I should say no, that’s not what came out. “Yes.”

“Really, it’s okay.” He looked at me, uncertainty in his gaze. “What did you say?”