Page 30 of Once Upon a Prince

“As his date” I said.

“How did this come up? What did he say to you?” Ara asked.

“It’s been brewing, I guess, for a while. There had always been a connection with us, even from the first week. I thought it was more a professional thing, or at least I didn’t think he thought of me as anything more than in a professional capacity. Things changed a bit when he took me shopping. We shared a moment and it made me see he might be interested in me. I didn’t want to believe it but he admitted as much today.

“He was honest, he told me how he wanted me to go to Buenos Aires because he wanted and needed me as his assistant but that he wanted to take me to this event so we could spend time together without any distractions.”

“Distractions, huh? What did you say to him?” Ara asked and leaned closer to me.

“The truth. I wanted the same thing. I fought my attraction to him. I certainly didn’t think he would ever see me as anything more than the woman his father took pity on and gave a job to.”

“He never saw you that way; you are way more than that, and you have proven yourself to be invaluable to him,” Ara said.

“I realize that now. Something shifted between us when he got me those clothes. Or maybe it was always there and we just didn’t allow ourselves to see it. I’m excited about the idea and want to see what this is. If I have to go to a different country with him so we can have time to do it, then I will.”

“Ella, I don’t think Dax needs to go to a different country to spend time with a woman. I think he wants to go to another country so he can spend time with you. There is a huge difference,” Layla said.

“Exactly. The man has done more for you in the last week than most men do for a woman their entire relationship. He must care about you deeply if he’s going to such lengths.”

“Or he just sees Buenos Aires as an opportunity to get a quick lay,” I said, letting my insecurities show.

“Do you really believe that? Do you think that Dax would do that to you? Do you think that he would need to do that with any woman?” Ara asked.

“No. It’s just all very sudden and intense,” I admitted.

“The best type of relationships almost always are,” Ara said with a sigh.

“Oh, does that mean you’ve heard from Bash lately?” I asked.

“Nice way to deflect the questions and attention off you. We aren’t talking about my ex or where he might be or what he is doing. I haven’t looked; I haven’t wanted to know,” Ara said.

I didn’t push but exchanged a look with Layla. I had seen the rumors that Bash, Ara’s first love, childhood crush, and famous actor, was coming back to New York to be in a play. I was sure Ara had seen it too but if she didn’t want to talk about it, I wasn’t going to push it.

“Dax doesn’t seem like a man who would do anything half-ass. If he wants a woman, he’s going to tell her, then he’s going to pursue her, and he’s going to have her in his bed. If that’s what you want, go for it, have fun. Buenos Aires is an incredible city. It reminds me a bit of New York but not. It’s hard to explain. I think you’ll have a great time. He’s been there before?” Ara asked.

“Yes. He goes there a few times a year for business,” I said.

“Excellent. Have fun at this charity event and see what happens after that. Take the weekend and allow the man to wine and dine you. Take long romantic walks along the streets. Have him teach you how to tango, take you to the best restaurants, and seduce you as only a billionaire can. If, after all of that, you want to sleep with him, you should.”

“The man doesn’t have to do any of those things for me to want to sleep with him,” I admitted.

“He doesn’t need to know that,” Ara said.

Layla put her hand on my shoulder. “Let the man show you what he is made of. Let him give you a glimpse of what he has to offer and what he should be giving you. I think that is why he asked you to the charity event. Don’t forget you should be doing the same thing. He needs to see what a great woman you are, how strong, funny, intelligent, and beautiful you are both inside and out. He needs to see that you are the type of woman that he should be with. I think he already knows that, but here’s your chance to really show him.”

“He’s dated models, actresses, even royalty,” I said.

“Yes, but he chose you. He wants to be with you. If he does, he’s a smart man because no actress or model or anyone can compare to how incredible you are. If he has seen that, then let him see all of you. I know how you can get, how you have needed to protect yourself in the past. You’ve allowed people in and they hurt you. Dax isn’t like your stepmother and stepsisters.”

“I know that,” I said but I could feel my chest tightening at her words. “Speaking of which. I need to tell her that I’m going.”

“Why the hell do you need to do that?” Ara asked and glared at me.

“She calls randomly to check up on me and to ask questions about the factory. My cell phone is on the company’s plan. She would know if I went out of the country. It’s best to tell her instead of her finding out on her own. If she does, she’ll think I’m keeping something from her.

“You don’t have to ask her permission to do anything. She doesn’t control you,” Ara said.

“She controls my shares. She agreed to have me come up here because it was the best option to make more money and I could still help with anything that needed to be done down there.”