Page 66 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

I rubbed at my forehead trying to relieve the headache building.

There was nothing I’d like more than to see Dean again, but Elaine’s voice never left me. She still whispered in my ear, telling me I had no choice, but to do something that was wrong on so many levels. Something that would hurt Dean. Something that would destroy his belief I was here to help him, not screw his big chance to solidify his career trajectory with PI.

I couldn't face him right now.

Dean: Ok. Sure.

Then a few minutes later.

Dean: Sent email

About an hour later Stella came in to find me sitting on the couch with my phone in my lap.

“Ash, honey. You okay?” She closed the door and sat down next to me.

Hearing her ask me if I was okay was the catalyst I needed to release a flood of tears. Stella wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight, and rocking me from time to time.

“Shhh, shhh. It’s going to be okay.” She kept repeating over and over.

When I’d stopped crying and wiped away my tears, I was able to share with her the conversations I’d had with Dean and her mother. As I talked, she opened up her phone and searched for the article about Dean and me.

“Oh wow,” Stella said, her eyes wide.

“Ugh, the picture with the dog. Elaine already told me how terrible I look.”

“No, the one of the two of you kissing.” Stella turned her phone to show me and grinned. “Holy moly, dear sissy, this looks hot. If I didn’t know any better I’d say the two of you were in stronglikeof each other.”

I bit my lip.

Stella’s face fell. “No! Ash, you can’t fall for him.”

I emphatically shook my head. “I know. I won’t.”

Who was I kidding? No one.

Even Stella’s expression told me she didn’t believe me.

“Oh, damn. It’s only been a few days.” She pointed out.

“Yeah.” I sighed.

“It’s the sex messing with you. You can fight it, Ash.”

I gave her a wry chuckle. “I don’t know why I can’t control my heart, but I know I’m already starting to like him. The sex is a part of that, but there’s more to him. When we’re together, it feels real. I’m just not sure he feels it too.”

She stared at me. I’m sure she didn’t know what to say to dissuade me from this very, very bad idea. If I continued to let myself fall for Dean, I’d be walking away with a broken heart when we were done.

“I want this with him. Even if it’s fake. He makes me feel good about myself and even though we aren’t real boyfriend and girlfriend, we enjoy being together. We have fun.”

She sighed. “I get that. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“And I love you for that. But even knowing that I could get hurt, I don’t want to end this with him. I just can’t have him find out about Elaine’s scheme.”

Stella shuddered. “Yeah, that would be bad.”

“I need to keep pushing her off until things seem to settle for Dean at work, and he gives me the money to invest in the business. It’ll be fine.” It had to be.

“I’ll run interference if I can at work with Mom. I’m here for you.”