Page 89 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

“Good.” She turned to leave then stopped. “Oh, I almost forgot the other favor I needed to ask of you.”

Her words indicated I had a choice when we both knew I didn’t.

“I expect you at work this week ready to create those designs I took. We need a quick turnaround time once they’re announced.”

I gasped.

How she thought Prince Industries would let her get away with this baffled me. And now she was making sure I was so entrenched in this mess I could never get back out. Not only would Dean hate me, but so would his parents. Hurting them was as painful to me as it was to hurt Dean.

Elaine barely looked at me as she swept down the stairs, dismissing me as callously as she’d done my whole life. This time though, she fulfilled her goal. She’d shattered my soul and my heart in one conversation.

Not able to stand any longer I collapsed on the stairs as Elaine walked away. Tears pricked my eyes and great, big gasping breaths emerged with a strangled cry.

Now I truly had nothing.

I dragged my body from the stairwell when my tears had dried to a trickle. With heavy, wooden steps, I made my way back to my car. I needed to get to Dean right away in case Elaine changed her mind and contacted him first.

Cold invaded my muscles, creating a heaviness to my limbs that only got worse the closer my car came to Dean’s penthouse. I replayed all of my conversations with Elaine, and my interactions with Dean, wishing I had done things differently. I’d thought I had the situation under control. I should have known better.

I’d meant to text him to see if he was home, but my mind had shut down. Right now, I could only do one thing at a time, and that was drive. If I thought too much about him and what I had to do, I’d never make it to his place.

Elaine’s threat hung heavy over me. I needed to get this over with.

The only positive was that I hadn’t revealed my love to him. The moment Elaine demanded I end our relationship, I realized how badly I didn’t want to. Having Dean in my life changed me.

Until now, I’d been closed off to a relationship. Afraid to let anyone except Stella and Burda get close to me. I’d been so fearful of getting hurt, I never fully committed to anyone.

Dean had broken down all of my walls. For a short time, I got to see what I wanted in a relationship. And what I wanted was him. The only consolation I had was the knowledge that Elaine would leave him alone.

I left my car with the valet, letting him know I’d be right back down. Each step I took closer to the elevator carried me closer to his penthouse. I was shaking so hard it was difficult to walk.

I could do this. Ineededto do this.

Dean knew I was on my way. They’d called up to let him know I had arrived.

My stomach flipped as though I was on top of a roller coaster, getting ready for the steep descent. Pain shot through my palms as my nails dug into my hands. I closed my eyes during the elevator ride, trying to figure out how to stop this gripping emptiness filling my body.

The elevator stopped, and when the doors opened, I allowed myself to think of the night we first met. How that elevator ride had been full of excitement and anticipation. So unlike the one right now. I made my way to his door and jumped when he opened it before I had a chance to knock.

“Hey, babe. This is a nice surprise.” His smile slayed me.

My lips wobbled as I tried to smile back, and instead, a sob burst forth.

He reached for me. “Ash, baby, what’s wrong? You’re scaring me.”

I savored the sound of his voice, knowing that after I said what Elaine had done, he’d never speak with such kindness to me again.

How was I going to be able to do this? How was I going to find the strength to let him go?

“I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”