Page 94 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

“We can’t afford a scandal, Dad. Not with the Paris company ready to sign on.”

“I know. I’ll make the lawyers aware we want this handled quietly.”

“Okay.” I sighed. “Dad, I’m so sorry about this.”

“It’s not your fault, Dean. I’ll call you as soon as I hear back.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“It’ll be okay, kid. We’ve faced worse.”

Had we? I think he said it to try and make me feel better.

“Bye, son,” Dad said.

“We love you, Dean,” Mom called out.

“Love you both. Bye.”

Even with anger consuming me over what Ashlyn had done, I couldn’t divulge she was the one to tell me about the stolen designs. My father was a smart man. If he hadn’t already guessed she was involved, he soon would. Perhaps, he was considerate enough not to push me when I was clearly devastated about the leak.

My life was a big fucking mess, and I had no idea how to fix it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Ashlyn

“Don't let him go! Holdon to him, you idiot!” I yelled at my television screen and tossed a handful of popcorn at it. “Stupid,” I whispered to myself. I was watchingSense and Sensibilityfor probably the hundredth time over the past four days.

I reached into my bowl only to have my fingertips scrape the bottom. For a second, I looked at the handfuls of popcorn I’d already thrown at the TV and debated if the five-second rule applied to this situation. I was too exhausted to get up from the couch, but I wasn’t so far gone that I’d eat off the floor. I sighed, wishing more popcorn would magically appear in my bowl.

My heart was broken. The fact that Dean would believe I’d stolen the designs should make me love him less or not at all, but my stupid heart wouldn’t listen. Instead, it ruled my head, and all I thought about was the good times we’d had together, how the corners of his mouth crinkled when he laughed, and how wonderful it was to be with him.

Dean had done for me what I didn’t know I needed. He made me feel seen. His attention, sweet concern, and his genuine desire for me had awakened a woman who’d accept nothing less now in a relationship.

He helped me learn to laugh at myself with humor instead of derision. More importantly, the time we spent together helped to reinforce the messages Burda and Stella had been demanding I realize all along. I had a place of value in the world, and my ideas were worthwhile.