Page 5 of Passenger Princess

Turning to my best friends, I give them thewanna stay for a bit, or should we make our excuses?look, before Jules looks to Harper, nods, and takes a seat. Then, I make formal introductions. We catch up briefly, and the night continues with dancing, drinks, and laughs.

As the night winds down, Stella looks at me, intrigued. “So, you know Jaime?” Stella asks, pushing my shoulder gently.

“Who?”

“Jaime, do you know him? He keeps looking this way.” She tips her chin towards the entrance of the VIP area, and when I turn to look, the only person there is the hulking man. I let out a loud laugh and shake my head.

“Oh, god, no. He thought I was some crazy fan girl and absolutely hates me.”

“Uh, he very much does not hate you,” she says, looking from meto Jaime. “He keeps looking over his shoulder, sneaking glimpses of you.”

“I’m sure he’s just doing his job, ensuring you are safe.”

Stella shakes her head, disagreeing, but doesn’t answer before Wes comes up, putting his hands on her shoulders and standing behind her.

“Are we talking about how our big ol’ Jaime has a hard-on for the princess?”

“A queen, thank you very much,” I say with a wink and an adjustment of my crown. “And he very much can’t stand me.”

“Jaime doesn’t give anyone a second glance. He absolutely has a thing for you.” Wes steps back and gives me a generous once-over, a mischievous smile spreading on his lips. “Though anyone would happily give you a second glance. Or a third.”

I reach up and pat him on his cheek. “Rock stars aren’t my thing, but thanks for the offer.”

“All right,” Jules says with a laugh. “You are past the point of being allowed to be in public without making a fool of yourself.”

I glare at her before smiling because, even in my state of inebriation, I know she’s right. “Why, are you afraid I’ll dance on a table?” I ask. “Again?”

It’s a reference to two years ago at a cowboy bar I dragged us to because I saw an ad for it, and it looked like a fun time. About three minutes in, before we’d even had a drink, someone played a song that seemed to indicate to all the regulars it was time to dance on a bar.

I’d never done it before but always wanted to, so before Jules or Harper could even try and stop me, I had tapped on someone’s shoulder and had two strange men helping me up.

Life is too short to date men who can’t hold your interest, but it’sdefinitelytoo short not to dance on a bar if you get the opportunity.

“Yes, exactly,” she says, standing.

“All right, all right,” I say, standing and getting a small head rush, making me giggle.

“We’re going to head out in a few, too,” Stella says with a yawn,snuggling into her husband’s chest. “But we need to swap info! Meet up next time you’re in town.”

I nod, then exchange numbers with Stella, promising to hit her up at the end of my tour before moving down the steps and exiting the VIP section.

“See ya later, big guy,” I say as I teeter on my tall heels in front of him and pat his chest. “You know, you’d be a lot hotter if you were just a smidge.” I hold up my pointer finger and thumb, pinching them so there’s a tiny gap between my fingers. “Less grumpy.”

“Noted,” he says, and even though he fights it, I can see it: the tiniest hint of a smile, the whisper of it on the edges of his lips. “Get home safe, princess.”

THREE

JAIME

Monday morning, I wake before the sun as usual, fitting in my normal workout, coffee, and a protein shake before I head to the Five Star offices in downtown Evergreen Park.

I live my life incredibly regimented, something I maintain even while on the road with assignments. Growing up in a family of chaos and unpredictability, creating a routine was the one thing I could count on. With age, the need for control and order has not changed. If anything, it’s gotten stronger.

I use my mornings and near-meditative routine to clear my mind and prepare for whatever the day may bring.

Unfortunately, much to my irritation, all my mind can think about is the tiny blonde out celebrating her birthday with a tiara as big as her entire face at AfterDark on Saturday.

It’s unexpected.

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