Page 69 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

I knew exactly where he was going with this. “No, I haven’t. That’s what makes all of this so weird.”

He looked down at his uneaten lunch. “Did you ask her what her problem was?”

“You make it sound so simple.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Cause it is, bro.”

“I’m hoping to see her tonight. I’ll ask her then because, at this point, the ball is already rolling down that hill. If she backs out now, I’m screwed.”

***

IANSWERED LAST-MINUTEemails and was about to go home when a timid knock sounded at my door. I looked up, and Ashlyn stood in the doorway, shifting back and forth from one foot to the other.

She chewed on her bottom lip. I’d learned after spending time with her that meant she was nervous or turned on. Not sure how to play this, I leaned back in my chair and folded my hands in front of me.

“Come in.”

“Thanks.” She rolled her cart into the room. “Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.” I was still annoyed that she’d brushed me off.

She closed the door behind her and timidly sat in the seat across from my desk. She was definitely nervous. “I need to talk to you about the last few days.”

“I’d appreciate that.” My lips flattened into a thin line.

“You’re not making this easy.”

“Ashlyn, you agreed to help me out.” I took a deep breath. I needed to understand, not scare her away. “Honestly, I had a really good time with you this past weekend. I know we aren’t real, but I don’t get why you’re so hot and cold.”

“I had a good time with you too, Dean.”

I knew she’d had a good time. We’d taken sex to a whole other level. Something aside from our physical attraction had to be going on. Had she seen the interview? Did she think I was capable of all the things Simone had accused me of?

“Then what’s the problem? You’ve been avoiding me for days, only returning my texts with one word responses, and not picking up when I call. Can you understand why I might think you didn’t enjoy our time together?”

“I did have fun. Thatisthe problem.”

“I’m not following.” I crossed my arms against my chest. She was going to back out of our agreement.Shit!

Ashlyn gestured between us. “What we have is great chemistry.”

I nodded.

“And the more I get to know you, the more I like spending time with you. Which is crazy because we’ve only spent a few days in each other’s company. But it’s like I’ve known you longer. We connect.”

I stayed silent, giving her a chance to explain because I was thoroughly confused. If we connected, then why was she backpedaling?

“I needed to remind myself it wasn’t real,” she whispered.

“Are you saying you have feelings for me?” A stab of pain hit the center of my chest. I rubbed at it trying to fight through the anxiety sweeping through me. I’d made it very clear there would be no attachments forming between us. What the hell was I supposed to do now? Her next words could change everything. She knew I didn’t do relationships.

But if I did, she’d be a contender for sure.

Where had that thought come from?

“Yes and no. Things were going so well I started to fear the more time we spent together, the more I might grow to like you like that.”

“And now you don’t think that will happen?” I was even more confused than when she’d started talking.