Page 84 of Surprisingly Us

Princess:A little. I appreciate that you aren’t teasing me about it.

Rhys:Do you want me to tease you? Would that make it better?

Princess:No! I’m good. Let’s just forget it. Please.

Rhys:Okay. I’m sending a dress over for the dinner party on Thursday.

Princess:Thank you. I haven’t had any time to think about what to wear. I’ve got final rehearsal tomorrow with Sebastian for the Leg-Up showcase.

Rhys:You’re going to do great. I’m sending positive vibes your way

Princess:You’re the worst.

Rhys:I couldn’t resist. You know it’s in my nature to tease.

Princess:I know, you could at least try not to.

Rhys:Anything for you, Princess. I don’t want to be a buzzkill.

Princess:

Rhys:Goodnight, Princess.

Princess:Goodnight

I’m relieved that Lettie and I were able to clear the tension from this morning. With Jerrod’s dinner party in two days, where all the board members will be in attendance, I need us to be solid. I need her to not be overwhelmed by playing her role of my girlfriend.

I toss my phone on the table and adjust Mo so he’s snuggled up on my lap, then I reach for the binder that Ramsey assembled for me. It’s a cheat sheet for the foundation members that willbe in attendance Thursday night, so I can be knowledgeable about their families and the work they’re involved in outside the foundation.

As I read through their bios, it becomes clear that I’m in way over my head. The board members are well-educated, artists, scientists and businessmen and businesswomen involved in many philanthropic organizations, just like my parents had been.

I turn the page to Jerrod’s bio and scan through it. His work and accomplishments align perfectly with the other board members.

How can I compete with him? He’s the golden boy who can do no wrong, while I’m the black sheep whose every mistake is captured and shared by the media.

Dread settles in my gut. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid.

The silver lining is that I have Lettie. She’s my phone a friend. My golden ticket. Gorgeous, gracious, and talented.

I’m relying on Lettie to be a distraction from my reputation. Here’s hoping I’m not the one getting distracted by her.

CHAPTER 25

Colette

“How cool is it that my dress is on this site now?” Isabella turns her phone screen in my direction.

She’s referring to the celebrity spotter page that has a picture of me and Rhys from our dinner date last week. It’s ridiculous. We’re not celebrities, but apparently Rhys has been followed by the page for years. It’s the same source that posted the photos of us leaving Hannah and James’s wedding. And that captured us kissing outside the practice studio near Lincoln Center earlier this week.

“If they ask, I’ll tell them you were my stylist,” I say.

“Damn straight.”

Isabella sets her phone down to finish applying my eyeliner, and I try not to blink. Since she did such a great job last week, I asked if she would help me get ready for the dinner party at Jerrod and Corinne’s.

A few minutes later, she’s done with my makeup and starts to pack everything up.

I smile when I see Rhys’s photo pop up on my screen. I haven’t seen him since the morning of the vibrator incident, but I’m trying to keep the nerves at bay because tonight is an important night for him.

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