Page 28 of Tabloid Princess

This was the point where I should remind myself I didn’t care, that he was just an arrogant rich aristocrat more interested in column inches than real people.

I could tell myself that all I wanted.

“Investment,” another whimper. More of a squeak really. Followed by, “A week?”

He couldn’t be here for the week. I wouldn’t survive.

“Yes. I’m going to match the money that will be spent on the ball to the charity.”

“How much?” My cheeks burned. It was a rude question, but I had to ask it all the same.

His lips twitched. “Fifty thousand.” His gaze was bold, waiting for me to react. “Is that acceptable to you?”

“And you’re going to do a press conference right here. This week?”

He nodded and I could have sworn a twitch flickered at the edge of his lips. “I think the marketing manager should be involved with that, correct?”

Shoot me.

Now.

“Yes. Probably.”

“So, do you have a media pack I can use to give to the press?”

“A what now?”

Freya tutted, far louder than was necessary, and slid a glossy folder across the table, her shiny red nails catching the sunlight streaming through the window. “Here. I’ve had one made this morning, there are three hundred ready to go.”

“Uh.” I scrambled to find the right words. “Thank you.”

Prince Oliver fanned his long slender fingers across the table. “Could I have a couple of minutes alone with Leia?” He didn’t add a please. It wasn’t a question.

Janine shot me a glance, and I totally understood what she was saying. Don’t fuck this up. I squirmed.

Freya swung her straight ebony hair over her shoulder without giving me a second glance.

The door closed and then the prince and I sat in silence.

“Well?” he asked eventually.

I shook all over, despite the fact I was sat down. “Thank you.”

“Is this what you wanted?” His question was low, soft, seeking a response.

“It shouldn’t be about me. I am sorry for yesterday.”

He shifted forward and I couldn’t hide from the scrutiny of his fire-bright stare. “Strangely, I care about what you think. As unusual as that is.”

I nodded, not really understanding what he was saying. “Well, thank you. This… this will change everything here.”

I went to leave; pretty sure our conversation was over.

“Janine said she was thinking of trying to open another office at the other side of London.”

Okay. The conversation isn’t over.

I cleared my throat. “There are so many places that need somewhere like this. Places that most people couldn’t even comprehend what hell it’s like to live in.”