Page 34 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince
“Just a few. Let’s clear up this silly old news of ours, and then we can announce to the world we’re trying again. Everyone loves a second chance romance.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Simone.”
“Okay, what if we hold off on the press for a day or two then?”
She really didn’t get it. “I’m talking about the idea of us getting together.”
“What?” She sounded genuinely perplexed. “Wait, why?”
“Simone, I have to go. I’m being called into a meeting,” I lied.
“No, Dean, wait! Hold on, isn’t it like 9:00 p.m. where you are?”
I hung up.
Why was she so persistent? My gut was sure something else was going on. I propped my elbows up on my desk and dropped my head into my hands. I hated that Simone might be the only one who could repair my image and I might have to end up relying on her.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” A gentle voice called out. “I can come back later.”
I lifted my head and met Ashlyn’s blue gaze, momentarily forgetting my conversation. “No, no, stay. It’s fine. I’ve just got some problems I’m trying to deal with right now.”
“They look pretty heavy,” she commented, entering the room and wiping down furniture with her dust mitt. “You know, sometimes it helps to talk about it.”
The frustration that was rising up suddenly stopped. “Are you offering to listen?”
“Oh, I—” Her hand fluttered around her as though not sure what to say. “I wasn’t saying me.”
“Forget it. It’s fine.” I closed down my computer, stood up from my desk, and walked toward the door.
What was I thinking?Maybe I could call one of the guys and see if they wanted to grab a drink.
“No, wait.” She put down her cleaning supplies. “I’ve been told I’m a good listener. Maybe Icanhelp.”
I stopped by the sofa and turned to her. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Her intense stare assessed me. “I don’t think it is. I don’t really know you, but you’re a confident guy, almost too confident.” She smiled at me to indicate she was teasing. “And just now, that look on your face made me think you’re trying to solve an impossible situation.”
No one had ever paid that much attention to me. Sure, they were quick to see what they wanted to, but it typically wasn’t me and my desires. “You could tell all that with one look?”
She sighed. “I know a little about impossible situations and how it feels to be stuck in one. But I believe that when things always look their worst, it just means it’s about to get better.” She moved to stand by my side and grabbed my arm, urging me to sit down with her on the couch.
I gazed at her in amazement.Where had I recently heard something similar about things looking the worst before they get better?It felt important, but each time I almost got it, the answer fled. I looked down where her hand still rested against my arm. “You’re going to think it’s stupid.”
“I won’t. I promise.” She gazed at me so intently I’d have believed her if she said she could read my thoughts.
I looked away. “My ex wants to get back together.”
“I’m guessing it’s not a good thing?”
I let out a long breath. “Do you know Simone Hunter?”
“The actress?”
“Yup.” I slumped into the couch turning my gaze back to Ashlyn.
“She’s your ex.” Her lack of surprise made me think she knew that piece of information.
“Yeah, and for a good reason. She lied about me to the whole world and used it to her advantage.”
