Page 11 of Prince of Her Heart
“And because of your help,” he said, “now I’m going to help you.”
She started with a jerk.“Help me?”
He nodded, that faint, infuriating smile curving his lips again.She stayed perched at the edge of her seat, scotch in one hand, documents still clutched in the other like a shield.Ramzi reached out, took the folder from her grasp, and placed it gently on the coffee table.
“Yes.I’m going to help you.”His tone turned dry.“Your mother—and, from what I gather, the rest of your hometown—seem to think you’re still pining for your ex-fiancé.”
Her stomach dropped.Right.That conversation.
“I’m not!”she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended.“I havenofeelings for Martin.Just revulsion.And disgust.”
“Good.”He nodded, the sunlight catching the shine in his dark hair.
She had to look away.Her fingers ached to reach out and touch that hair—to learn its texture, to see if it was soft, if it curled when damp… if he’d make a sound the way she did when someone stroked her scalp just right.
Stop.She slammed the thought closed before it could run wild.
But his next words detonated whatever focus she had left.
“We’re going to Hendersonville for the long weekend of wedding festivities.That way, you’ll be with your best friend for her wedding weekend.”He tilted his head.“Is it Sandy?”
“Stacy,” Tabitha corrected automatically, her heart skittering.
Go to her hometown?With Ramzi?
Yes, they’d traveled before—but those were work trips.Business.Strategy.Logistics.
This?
This sounded dangerously personal.
He nodded.“Right.Stacy.You’ll be by her side all weekend.Bachelorette party, wedding, all of it.What other events are planned?”
“Um…” She stared into her glass, her thoughts stalling.“There’s a barbeque Thursday night.For the out-of-town guests.”
“Good.What else?”
She swallowed hard.“The bachelorette party is Friday.Then the wedding and reception Saturday.And brunch on Sunday.”
“Perfect.Four days of us acting like a couple should change everyone’s mind.”
She couldn’t breathe.
Acting like a couple?WithRamzi?
Panic and fascination battled inside her.
What would thatmean, exactly?
Would he hold her hand?Wrap his arm around her waist?Kiss her cheek in public?
Would theydancetogether?
Her brain short-circuited.
No.
Absolutely not.
