Page 79 of How to Date a Prince

I sway. Thomas rushes over and catches my arm.

Daniel gives a heavy sigh, turning to walk into the open-plan kitchen.

“Excuse me, Mr. Golden. For the record, you’re entitled to think whatever you like of me. I don’t mind. But don’t take it out on Thomas. He’s a kind person who only wanted to help me.”

Daniel snorts, giving me the once-over. “I imagine you have plenty of other people who could help you other than my son.”

My smile is thin. “We helped each other.”

“Is that right?” Daniel Golden’s decidedly unimpressed. My gaze doesn’t waver till he looks away, and blood rushes in my ears.

“I’ll help you back to bed and get you some water,” says Thomas quickly.

I let Thomas put his steady arm around me and guide me back to the bedroom. I don’t have the energy to protest. He brings the promised water and a painkiller. I groan as I sit down with stiff muscles protesting, pain in my ribs, and my headache.

“Here.” He lowers his voice. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect my dad to turn up out of the blue. He’s here for the weekend, staying in the adjacent suite. He’s only protective of me. And anxious.”

And Thomas returns to the show on Monday.

I gaze at him, shoulders slumped. “What did your father mean about the press?”

There’s a struggle across his face. “I don’t know if this is a good time to tell you…”

“Thom.” I give him a level look. “Please tell me.”

A heavy sigh escapes his lips. His gaze fixes on mine.

“Thom.”

“Your accident got leaked late last night, and the story’s taken off like wildfire—not only around the country that you were nearly killed in an equestrian accident but around the world.”

My mouth opens. And then I blink as I struggle to digest this news.

“What? How did that get out?” I swallow, searching his eyes. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

Thomas gazes at me, looking rough.

“Yeah. It’s bad, Auggie,” Thomas confirms softly. “Your phone’s been buzzing all morning. I was about to wake you when my father turned up.”

I carefully rub my eyes. “That’s why your father’s here, isn’t it?”

His mouth twitches. I reach out to touch his lips. He kisses my fingertips. “Yes. He’s claiming business, though.”

“And you? Are you in the paper? And—the show?” My eyes widen.

“I hate to tell you that I’m just in the fine print, like say a subtitle:Heir to Golden Hotel Fortune Nearly Dies with Prince Auggie in Reality TV Accident.”

“Wordy,” I remark. “Abolitionist and Crown Prince in Shock Accidentis better.”

Thomas gives a ghost of a smile. “It’s news, but the Golden Empire doesn’t quite have the branding of the British Empire despite our best efforts.”

“Well,” I begin, considering him. “We have had a millennium of marketing on our side.”

He laughs, then sobers. “Yeah.”

“Gisele will be happy, at least.” I start to shake my head, then stop at the pain that causes. “Can you please bring me my phone? My father will be, as they say, losing his shit right about now.”

“Mm.”

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