Page 64 of The Prince Who Loved Me

“Wow.” Brandi leaned in for a closer look. “Is the other one encrusted in gold? This is marvelous.”

Hearing the words of praise brought a rush of longing through him. Being with her would never get old.

“I found some to add to the wall of progression.” Sebastien gestured to the drawings he had set aside. “You really have good instincts. These sketches are perfect.”

“You are really talented, Sebastien. You should design the label for my wine.”

His head shot up at that. “Your wine.”

“You know, if I do it.”

“You’re doing it.”

She slid her thumb over the ridge separating her fingers. “Oh, I don’t know.”

“If I can do this,” he gestured to the mass of paper splayed around them, “you can do that.”

Brandi offered him a small uptick of her lips that was a shadow of her usual smile. “I guess.”

“Hey.” He took her hand. “Talk to me.”

“I think I’m making too many changes too soon.” She sighed and curled into him on the floor, belaying his thought that he was one of those changes. “I’m just learning how to run the business. After reading through Jordan’s books, there’s somuch I don’t know. Why add something else on to my pile?”

He ran a hand down her arm. “We should do it together.”

She gave a half laugh. “Because you know so much about making wine?”

“I know a lot about drinking wine.” He nuzzled her hair. “This is something I want to share with you. Something no one’s shared with either of us before. I want to work alongside you and discuss fruits and drink something that we created together.”

She pulled away from him, her unusual eyes studying his. Every word he said was true.

“Think about it?” he asked.

She dipped her chin, slowly, as if she was already doing just that, until her eyes snapped back into focus. “Oh, crap. What time is it?” Brandi stood up. “I completely forgot. I’m supposed to meet my friends tonight.”

Sebastien fought the rush of disappointment anyway. “Have fun. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She bit down on her lip. “I made these plans before we… uh… went to the beach. I can change them if you want.”

He raised an eyebrow at her.

“Damn, I’m doing it again, aren’t I?” She straightened up. “I’m not changing these plans, no matter how much you beg me.”

“Much better.” He gave her a slow smile, full of promise. “But maybe you can stop by after you come home.”

***

Brandi slid into the booth next to Paisley and across from Charlotte, licking the drip of fudge swirl ice cream that slid down the side of her cup. Paisley had a small cup of plain vanilla.

Charlotte was digging into a massive banana split. “Don’t judge.”

“I would never,” Brandi said. It had been almost twenty-four hours since her date with Sebastien and her body was still humming. Usually she was left with a need to make herself a permanent accessory instead of satisfaction.

This new feeling was much better.

Two families had pushed their tables together in the small shop, and another couple sat gazing at each other over their melting sundaes. The overheard fluorescent lights hummed and filled the small store with unnatural brightness.

Two men sat at another table, also gazing. But not at each other. One dipped his chin in acknowledgement when Brandi made eye contact.