Page 95 of The Bad Girl

She blinks, taking in what I said, then clears her throat. “And what do you think she feels for you?”

“At this point, I imagine she’s hurt. I mean, we had crazy, intense sex on a boat while fearing for our lives, and then I send over a PR rep to negotiate her severance. It can’t make her feel good.”

“I suggest you say, ‘the fuck with legal’ and go over there and talk with her.”

“But there’s the whole Tom situation. She really likes him, and I don’t want to take something tangible from her.”

Akinyi burst out into laughter. “Do you really think he’s been pining after her for six years? Does that make any sense?”

“No…”

“He probably wants another shot at getting in her panties. Either that or he doesn’t want to show up to the wedding without a date looking like a loser, but also doesn’t want to introduce his family to the train wrecks he’s been seeing.”

“That does make a lot of sense, but that’s not something I can tell her without any proof. It’s something she’s going to have to figure out on her own. And I’m stuck here like a love-sick teenager with no recourse.”

“Maybe you don’t confess your feelings. Maybe you give her a friendly visit. Get her thinking she might have another option without saying it.”

“Nadine’s not like other girls who dream of marrying a rich businessman. For as cautious and logical as she is, she craves a bad boy. A blue-collar type with ripped jeans, disheveled hair, and an arm full of tattoos.”

“You’ve been so concerned with turning her into a bad girl, maybe you should think about turning yourself into a bad boy?”

My brow jumps at the absurdity. “Excuse me?”

“Let your hair grow out a bit, stop shaving, quit dressing like you’re about to attend a business meeting, and get a regrettable tattoo.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me?”

“How is this so crazy when you were directing her to do the same?”

I pull out my phone, bringing up my contact list. “If I’m going to pull this off, I’m going to need help.”

“Who are you calling?”

“One of the most manipulative beasts I know.”

Akinyi’s brow knits together in confusion.

“Prince Harry.”