Page 22 of Once Upon a Prince

“We knew that but this is the first time you’ve said so. Do you have a little crush on your boss?” Layla asked.

“No. Of course not,” I said quickly, probably a little too quickly.

“Yeah, I totally believe you,” Ara said, clearly not.

“It’s nothing. He was only being nice. He was trying to help me out.” I didn’t want to tell them about Diana and Tanya. I wasn’t going to give them that much power over me, nor did I want my friends to worry. I could also see Ara going nuclear on the women and I didn’t want to cause any issues or problems.

“I think he likes you,” Layla said.

“Yes. I agree,” Ara said.

“He commented on how nice the other Teemu Slide original you let me borrow was, Ara. I don’t think he liked that it wasn’t mine. He was only helping me with my own wardrobe. There’s nothing more to it,” I said.

“A man not only noticed your outfit, he commented on it, and was able to tell you where it came from. Either he’s really into fashion or he’s really into you,” Ara said.

“He does know how to dress,” Layla said.

“Or it could be both,” Ara said and smiled at me.

“There’s nothing wrong with a man doing something nice for a woman. It might be a little questionable because you work for him which might be why he tried to hide his interest by saying it’s for your job. In my opinion, no man does something that nice unless he’s interested or wants something in return,” Layla said.

“The man doesn’t need to buy a woman clothes to get her to sleep with him,” I said.

“Yet, you thought that, so maybe you were hoping he would want to sleep with you,” Ara said.

“You’ve been very quiet about Dax since you started working for him. You’ve been vague about him and what you do and your relationship. Has something happened between you two, have you developed feelings for him? Do you think he has feelings for you?” Layla asked.

They knew me too well and their comments were too close to the truth. I kept thinking and remembering how Dax had been when he had stood behind me. It hadn’t felt like he was just being my boss at that moment. It felt more, it felt like he wanted more, and as I looked at him, I started to imagine what it would be like if we did. But it was only in my imagination and it wasn’t going to make my job any easier if I held out hope that it would. The best thing I could do was pretend it had never happened, which included convincing my friends of the same thing.

“He’s my boss. We work together. Yes, we’ve gotten close in the last few weeks but that’s to be expected when you work with someone. He has been nothing but professional toward me. He has treated me with nothing but respect. You’re looking too much into this. Yes, he was very sweet with offering to take me shopping. He might have gone a bit overboard with how much he bought me, but he’s a generous man. I will admit, he’s good looking, I have never said he wasn’t, but nothing is going to happen between us. It’s nice that you would think he could be interested in me that way, but he isn’t and I wish you would just drop it.”

Ara and Layla exchanged looks and without them even saying anything, I knew what they were thinking. They didn’t believe me but they also knew me well enough not to push.

“Totally,” Ara said.

“We get it. There’s nothing going on between you and Dax. Forget we ever said anything,” Layla added.

“Thank you,” I said and I could feel my shoulders relaxing. They might not have believed me; I didn’t believe myself. At least it would get them to stop asking me about it and I wouldn’t have to come up with excuses.

“Now, let’s see what else you got in here,” Layla said and looked into one of the bags.

I stood back and watched as she and Ara cooed over the clothes. They were really lovely and it was a kind and generous thing for Dax to do. But as I watched my friends look at the clothes, I knew it was more than just a kind gesture, or I kept thinking it was. I wasn’t sure what it was going to be like and how I was going to be when I saw Dax again.

Chapter 14

Dax

“The suit was made to be worn by someone as special as you.” The blue in Ella’s eyes was so bright, her expression full of wonder and desire, I found myself getting lost in them. My body moved of its own accord. My hands glided up her arms as I pulled her closer to me, her mouth opened slightly as if she knew what I was thinking and what I wanted.

“Hello. Are you there? Are you even listening to me?” Anna asked.

I closed my eyes and then slowly opened them. My sister sat in front of me, the glass of wine she had poured me remained untouched. I smiled, leaned forward in my chair, and took the wine glass.

“Everything you say is always riveting,” I teased.

“Of course, it is, but that doesn’t mean you were listening.” She glared at me as she took a sip of her wine.

My sister had come over to my apartment late on Sunday afternoon. We usually had dinner on Sunday evening. I wasn’t sure when or how it had become a routine but it was something we had been doing for years. I looked forward to seeing her and catching up on her week. We had always been close but as we had gotten older and more involved in our work and social obligations we didn’t have as much time for each other. Occasionally, my father would join us but he hadn’t been able to.