Page 78 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

Suddenly, Bethany's words penetrated, and my wild gaze swung to her, then to Dean. Sensing my unease, he responded to his mother. “Mom, cut it out. Ashlyn and I just made our relationship official. Don't scare her off on me.”

“You're right. I'm sorry, Ashlyn, if I made you uncomfortable. It wasn’t my intention. To be honest, Dean has never taken such a liking to someone, and when I see the two of you together, it reminds me of when I met Dean’s father. We knew right away we were soulmates.”

“That’s so sweet. My dad used to say my mom was his soulmate—” As soon as the words left my mouth, I wished I could yank them back. I turned terrified eyes to Elaine. “I mean until he met Elaine. Then he was so lucky to have found another.” Even I knew my coverup was lame.

Elaine barely hid her contempt. The only saving grace I had was Bethany and Dean. Their presence shielded me from a tongue lashing. “Yes, your mother was the light of your father's life.” Her tense hand lay flat on the table. She paused a second, drew in a deep breath, and released it before continuing. “And how lucky he and I were to find such a similar love. A mature love one can only have after suffering the loss of their first love.”

Bethany's sympathetic gaze turned to Elaine. “I can only imagine the heartbreak you faced losing both of the men you loved. You are so incredibly strong, Elaine.”

“Thank you, Bethany. There were many ups and downs over the years, but I was able to weather them because of my children.” Elaine’s eyes welled with tears. As she dabbed at them with her napkin, I couldn’t help but question how real they were.

My stepmother loved herself most of all.

“Our children are such a blessing.” Bethany enthused.

Watching Elaine nodding in agreement, the club sandwich I had for lunch wanted to force its way back up. I'm not sure there was ever a time she considered me a blessing.

I needed to get out of there.

Luckily the server chose that moment to bring our bill.

Bethany grabbed the check, “I’ve got this. I invited the two of you out for lunch today.”

“I’m so happy you suggested it.” Elaine smiled warmly at her.

It was like watching a pod person.

Bethany winked at Elaine. “Well, if I have my way, we’ll have lots of family get-togethers.”

“Mom. We’re sitting right here,” Dean sighed, reminding his mother.

“I know, I really love seeing the two of you together. You both just have this glow,” Bethany said with such joy.

Sweat beaded on my forehead. Knowing we were deceiving Dean's mom was worse than watching Elaine be nice to me and remind me what my life might have been like if she'd been that way all along.

I squeezed Dean's hand.

“That’s our cue.” Dean stood and pulled me to my feet. “So nice to meet you, Elaine. Mom, I’ll catch you later.” He smiled at Elaine and then leaned in to give his mother a kiss on the cheek.

“It was a pleasure to meet you too, Dean.” Elaine’s eyes flickered to me. “So lovely to see you and Ashlyn so happy together.”

“Well, I guess we should go,” I said nervously. Afraid that somehow Elaine would find a way to get me alone. My heart was racing so loud, the conversation around me had dimmed. I clenched my hands in my lap as tiny tremors worked its way through my fingers, threatening to go further up my arm.

“Oh, no hug for me?” Elaine's lips stretched into a predatory smile.

A chill went through my body.

“Right.” I let go of Dean's hand and leaned in to give Elaine a peck on the cheek while trying not to throw up.

“Don’t get too cozy in all this and forget our arrangement,” she whispered menacingly into my ear as my lips grazed her cheek.

She was smart. Dean and his mother had started to chat, and she kept her voice low. They had no idea what she was saying.

“Right,” I repeated again and forced my body away from hers. The unsettling smile she sent my way reminded me I needed to talk to Dean about the rest of the money soon. Once I had, Elaine’s hold on me would be over.