Page 53 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

“I guess when you put it that way, yes. But I like to think of it as a mutually beneficial situation.”

“What would you expect from me?”

I wanted to cheer. She must be seriously thinking about it, or she wouldn’t ask that. “Public appearances and staying together until I’m appointed.”

“And what about sex?” Her voice lowered, and she shot a glance at a table nearby. This time her whole face turned bright red.

“We’d have to have public displays of affection toward each other, or no one would buy it. As for the sex, while I’m completely open to continuing that, it’s not a requirement or an expectation. That decision would be up to you.”

“So,” she paused and looked me square in the eyes. “You’re saying holding hands, kissing, hugging...that type of stuff in front of other people?”

“Yes, exactly.” I could practically see the wheels turning in her head as she considered it.

“What about a counteroffer?”

“What?” I was certain that what I was offering was fair. What more could she want?

“I don’t want you to hand money over to me to start my business. I’d rather you invested in it or offer me a loan for me to pay back with interest. It’s important to me that I do this right.”

I had enough money to give to her, but I was down with it if that was her only stipulation. “I’ll invest, then.”

She flashed me a tentative smile. “I want to say yes—”

“I sense a but.”

“Can you let me think about it? All of this,” She gestured between us, “has been a little disconcerting. I really thought if you ever figured out who I was, you’d be angry, and instead, not only are you cool with it, but you offer to help fund my business. While all I have to do is pretend to be your girlfriend. It doesn’t seem fair.”

I didn’t want to dissuade her, but I needed her to know it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. “Ashlyn, being my girlfriend, even a fake one will throw you into the spotlight. You’ll be in the paper. People will try to talk to you, and might even harass us when we go out.”

She glanced around the room as though expecting to see reporters jump out from the shadows.

I laughed. “I know the owner. He’s great about keeping reporters away.”

She laughed too. “That’s very different from the life I lead. What would we tell people about how we met?”

“The closer we stick to the truth, the better. We met at the ball, lost touch, and when you started working at PI, we reconnected.”

“That makes sense. Could I tell Stella the truth?”

“Just her? What about the rest of your family? The fewer people that know, the better.”

“No, just her. The other two don’t need to know.” A slight grimace crossed her face.

I nodded. “If Stella can be discreet, then yes.”

“She definitely can. Who will your person be?”

“My person? As in who I would tell?”

She shrugged her shoulders as if stating the obvious. “Well, yes. It only seems fair.”

While I considered who that might be I reached across the table to cover her hand with my own. I needed to feel close to her. “I guess my friend, Henri. I’ve already mentioned to him that you might be the mystery girl.”

She turned her hand over and thread her fingers through mine. “Oh, yes. The designer.”

“Wait a minute? You know who he is but for the longest time, had no idea who I was?” I chuckled.

“Well, I’m into sewing. His name is all over the place with his designs. Of course, I know who he is. He creates the most beautiful wedding attire in the industry. And the pictures on your desk had his name scribbled in the corner.”