Page 46 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince
He gave me a confident smile. “After seeing your products and reading through your business plan I really think you have something here.”
My grin took over my face making my cheeks hurt.
“We can work together over the next few months to strengthen what you have.”
Wait, a few months?
“I could get you appointments with people within my circle that would be inclined to help you.”
My smile dimmed. This wasn’t an “I can help you right now” conversation. I needed action on this in days, a week or two if I was lucky. There was no way I could hold Elaine off for months. By that time, PI would be selling the new wedding designs.
“I thought that would make you happy,” Dean said, confusion written all over his face.
“I am, but I guess I was thinking it would all come together a little quicker.” Trying to hide my desperation, I pressed my hands together in my lap and stifled the tears that threatened to break free. It was rare that I let my heart hope for more, and right now, that hope was crushed.
I could have my dream or Dean, but not both.
I had run out of time. Neither of my choices had a happy ending. I either gave Elaine the designs and lost Dean, or kept Dean and chanced my stepmother’s wraith. There was no guarantee I would make a full-time income with my company right away and Elaine would fire me if I refused to give her what she wanted. How would I support myself?
“I understand completely, and while a few months seems like a long time, I promise it will pass quickly. I want to make sure you’re ready and we have enough initial data to provide these investors. You need to show them your idea is solid.”
“Of course. I—” I had to hold back my sigh. “My day job isn’t ideal, and starting this business sooner rather than later would be so much better, but I hear what you’re saying. I do.”
He nodded. “Perfect. Then we’re on the same page.”
“Yes, sure. I just need some time to think things over—”
The ringing of his phone cut me off.
“I’m so sorry, Ashlyn. Can you hold that thought? The design team is working late tonight, and I told them to call me if there were any issues.” He picked up the phone. “Dean Prince.”
His thumb and index finger rubbed against the dark scruff shadowing the lower half of his chin.
“Ashlyn, I need to run down there for a few minutes. If you don’t mind waiting, we could finish this conversation when I get back.”
“Of course. I should probably clean up here anyway. I can do that until you return.”
“Excellent.” Dean strode to the door, his dark suit hugging his body, looking only slightly rumpled after a full day of work. His confidence was a direct contrast to how I was feeling.
I stood and moved to my cart. I dusted, vacuumed, threw out trash, and tidied up. When I’d finished, and he still hadn’t returned, I moved to his desk, preparing to box up my items and business plan.
I sighed and picked up the three different bra and panty sets I had included, along with a teddy. As I removed the last item and closed the lid to the box, I picked up the pages to my business plan and put them in a pile. I wasn’t sure if he wanted to keep it.
As soon as my hand lifted the last page, the most gorgeous wedding dress designs peeked out at me. The first had a plunging v-neck bodice and opulent beaded lace, while whimsical feathers adorned a tulle ball gown and continued out over the long train. The next, a modern pantsuit with romantic details. The scalloped floral lace top with delicate beading throughout flowed into a straight leg pair of pants. I loved that it had a detachable A-line train too.
These had to be the ones Elaine wanted. The ones I was being tasked with to steal. Blood rushed to my head as my hands grew cold.
I flipped through each page, noticing the exquisite details in each one. Their designer, Henri Pachello, was one of my favorites in the industry. I’d admired his collections for years. He had such incredible talent. Already I envisioned these becoming the hottest pieces of the fall. My heart sank as I flipped through the sketches. The only way to achieve my dream was to follow through and steal a copy of these designs.
While I was grateful for Dean’s vote of confidence, his help wouldn’t come in enough time. Elaine was not a patient woman, and PI would already have started to work on these. As my stepmother reminded me, she had eyes everywhere, and I’m sure she somehow knew their production schedule. If I didn’t provide her with something, she’d unleash her fury on my company and me. Assuming I found a way to start it to begin with.
I slipped my phone out of my pocket. “You can do this,” I whispered, my breath quickening. All I had to do was take pictures of the designs. My hand gripped my phone tight. If it had been made of flimsier material, it would have shattered in my grasp.
I unlocked my phone and tapped on the camera app. The muscles in my body locked up, and I had to force my hand to hover over the first design.
After autofocus lined up the shot, I snapped a picture of the first piece in the pile. The beautiful ball gown with the feathers. My fingers trembled, and I fumbled with the phone. I pushed the first design to the side and held the phone over the next one.
Hesitation would get me caught.Just do it.
