Page 13 of The Prince Who Loved Me

“Hmmm. Flirt with that boyfriend of your cousin’s and get him to cover for you.”

Something she would have considered five years ago, but not anymore. “Mom, you can’t drop in and expect my life to stop. I didn’t even know for sure that you were coming today.”

Carolann blinked her black-lined eyes. “Where else would I be?”

Where else indeed. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Did you open your envelope yet, baby?”

Brandi patted her back pocket. She didn’t know what to expect or how to handle it, and she wasn’t sure she wanted witnesses. “Not yet. I’ll do it later.”

Chapter 4

Brandi had tracked down Sebastien to say good night before leaving Fountenoy Hall for her date. He had been in the ballroom. The sun was setting through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting shadows on the hardwood floor. He sat on the floor in a patch of shade with his sketch pad on his lap, studying a bowl of fruit. Dark streaks covered his fingers and a wayward smudge decorated his cheek.

His eyes lit up when he saw her, though. “Wow, you look great!”

“My mom helped me pick out my clothes,” she said, giving a little twirl. The low-cut purple top and tight skirt were something she might have regularly worn a few years ago, but now she had outgrown it. Stylistically. The outfit still fit her like a second skin, and yeah, she looked pretty damn hot. She blew him a kiss. “I’ll see you later.”

Now she paused in front of the swank restaurant on the outskirts of Macon. Why had she felt the need to say goodbye to Sebastien? It wasn’t like they kept tabs on each other every waking moment. Her schedule was routine enough that he’d drop by to see her at the brewery, and she knew what time of day he liked to sketch outside and how he took his whiskey, but whatever. They practically lived together.

She tried to recall how Rob took his whiskey, but all she got in her mind was an empty mason jar.

It still didn’t mean anything.

She pulled open the door to Valicente’s, ignoring the dread that encompassed her body. After Andrin, she’d been a little hesitant to go on more dates. But her mom’s warnings from her youth about ending up alone played in her mind. There were good men out there. Brandi had to find just one.

Maybe third time was the charm. It would be if her mother’s clothing choice had anything to say about it. Being with her mom had been nice. Carolann had showed her pictures of Grant, and actually looked like she was having real fun. Maybe this man was the real thing for her. She had mentioned Brandi’s inheritance check again, but Brandi changed the subject. Her emotions were still swirling about it. Leaving to go on the date was almost a relief.

Brandi scanned Valicente’s clientele, studying the reflections of the people perching on stools in the mirror behind the bar before taking in the cloth-covered tables in the low light. No one looked around with a nervous or eager expression, so she moved to the other end of the wood-paneled building. Oh, there he was. Good.

She made her way through the tables until she stood by his side. “TaxGuy?”

“Cris, actually. Joy?” He rose and leaned forward.

She stuck out her hand to avoid the peck on the cheek. “Brandi.”

“Like the alcohol.” He grinned as if he said something original, but his dark eyes gave her a quick once-over.

She stopped herself from grimacing. “Yes. Like the alcohol.”

He gestured to the other chair and she took a seat. It was not a great start.

“You probably get that a lot,” he said. “I swear, I’m usually more clever than this. I’m a little nervous. I haven’t been doing this all that long.”

Okay, that did make her laugh. “It’s fine. You can find a way to be clever later.”

Conversation centered on the dating profile information before it turned more personal. Brandi found herself telling him about her life at the Inn. Cris was more hesitant to talk, but shegot him to admit he had been in a long-term relationship that ended last year, and he was now ready to date again.

“I was a mess before coming tonight. My friends all laughed at me for changing outfits.” He offered this with a smile that bordered on shy. He covered his face with one hand, the other resting on the table alongside his plate. He peeked through his fingers. “Six times.”

She gestured to her own ensemble, careful not to move too much lest she pop out. “Three for me. You have me beat.”

His expression became serious. “I’m really glad I came tonight.”

Aside from the stupid alcohol observation, conversation had flowed really well. He’d been funny, respectful. She reached out and laid her hand on top of his, noting his neat, trim nails. “Me, too.”

The waitstaff cleared their salad plates, and Brandi excused herself to make sure her lipstick hadn’t migrated to her teeth. Two of the stalls were occupied, so she took the third and locked herself in, and did a little victory fist pump. Finally, a nice guy. Without the lounge lizard vibes she had feared.