Page 96 of How to Date a Prince

And I’m trying to stay calm as the hour-long show begins, with theRenaissance Manintro music, which I hadn’t heard before, nor seen the opening montage, with Colin, the grand estate, and a brief cameo of each of the contestants. How mortifying.

“Oh, there you are!” Laura smiles, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “Look how handsome you are.”

“Err, thanks.” I work on my merlot. We share the popcorn. It’s entirely surreal to see everyone again and to see the show put together like this, as opposed to the days of filming and the various crews, plus the voice-overs and interviews from the studio. The premise of the show is introduced, along with bios of the men, which also are news to me. It’s actually engaging, and I’m drawn in too. Except when it comes to me, the last cameo, after Thomas, and seeing him on screen is entirely surreal—and I miss him. It’s hard to breathe all of a sudden.

I watch my arrival at the estate, in front of the great sandstone house, then inside in the expansive entry, meeting the other men with Colin. Then, there’s a cut with my voiceover, talking about my family and life as a royal. There’s footage that I don’t know where they’ve found it, of me riding horses, laughing at some posh event, shaking hands, looking windblown and suntanned, followed by a clip where I’m shirtless on a yacht. It’s all very polished. It’s so strange to watch, like I’m watching someone else.

“Talk about thirst trap,” Laura tells me, pleased. “Which you look even more so in person.”

“Thank you,” I say politely. “And you look very well yourself.”

“Auggie,” she laughs again, squeezing my arm. “Relax.”

“This is me totally relaxed.” I take another handful of popcorn and shove some in my mouth. My stomach’s in knots, anticipating the first week and trying to figure out how to navigate the unholy combo of our second date and feeling askew at the sight of Thomas despite the impossibility of it all.

I have to give Gisele and the team credit for making a truly immersive show. Eventually, I relax a little because most of the time, it’s not about me. And even better, occasionally, there’s footage of Thomas looking like the absolute dream he is. They also had a swish introductory segment on him, about the Golden family and how he’s set to inherit a vast fortune as their only child, his work with charities, and in developing a new social media platform. He’s gregarious and charming and, well, let’s face it, fucking hot.

And everything inside me wrenches at the sight of him.

Then, the show progresses through the baking challenge.

“Oh God, Auggie. This is heartbreaking.” Laura stares at the screen, reaching for my hand. “You baked gingersnaps for your mum. That’s so lovely. She would be so proud.”

“I tried. Which is about all you can say for the charred blobs on the blackened baking sheet.”

By the time the credits roll at the end of the program, my shoulders sag with relief. It was intense, seeing everyone again, and it felt like I was back there again, under scrutiny. Except now, I’m under the eye of the nation and the media, and the press is going to be relentless again after finally dying down.

I sigh. Shit. Clearly, I’m going to need to keep a low profile for a few more months until everyone forgets about me again.

Laura interlaces her fingers with mine, giving me an encouraging smile. “You were lovely. Don’t look so worried.”

“I’m a natural worrier,” I explain. “Something I excel at.”

“You’re funny.” She slides closer, gazing at me. “That’s one of the many things I like about you. And that you’re handsome.”

I gaze at Laura before I say anything else more incriminating with my nervous energy and continue to watch as she shifts to straddle me, sliding her arms around my neck. She grinds her hips slightly before she begins to kiss me. I slide my hands to her waist.

Things start to escalate from there. I’ve already taken off my pullover due to the warmth of her flat. Laura kisses a path along my throat and chest, unbuttoning my shirt and sliding down between my legs when she reaches for my belt. I shiver.

“Wait—” I gasp. I can’t make the same mistake again. It would be unforgivable. It wasn’t fair to Katie, and it wouldn’t be fair to Laura either. “Just wait.”

Laura stops and looks up at me. She comes up again to kiss me. Then I gently catch her, shaking my head.

“I’m so sorry,” I murmur. “I can’t.”

Laura blinks at me, recoiling like she’s kissed the frog that didn’t deliver the prince she’d ordered. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Oh no. It’s definitely not you—and all me.”

“We can slow down,” she tries. “Or move to the bedroom, if that’s more comfortable?—”

“It’s not that?—”

“Then?” Laura asks archly, a slight edge to her voice. She pushes her hair back over her shoulders. The corners of her mouth tug down. “Don’t you find me attractive?”

“Very. Honestly, it’s not you?—”

“Tell me, then, if it’s not me?—”

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