Page 51 of The Prince Who Loved Me

“Wait, what?” Brandi grabbed her arm and they stopped walking. “That’s great! When did this happen?”

“Last night when I was reading.” She heaved a dramatic sigh and put her hand over her heart. “You guessed right. He’s fictional.”

“Yeah, that’s a problem. But I’m sure if you work at it hard enough, true love can overcome any obstacle.”

They reached the door and Paisley yanked it open, setting off the chime above the door. “See that guy with the yellow flower?” She pointed to a man drumming his fingers against his coffee cup. “Your Blind Date says he’s all mine, so hands off.”

Brandi scrutinized the man, but shook her head. “I don’trecognize him. But good luck.”

Paisley sighed. “Yeah, you, too.”

The rich scent of coffee enveloped Brandi as she met Nick in one of the booths. He gave Brandi a peck on the cheek when she approached. “You look lovely,” he said.

She had dressed carefully, showing a little more skin than before but still keeping a classic look with her skirt and sleeveless blouse. “Thank you. You’re looking pretty spiffy yourself.”

He grinned at her. “What can I get you?”

“Gosh, I haven’t been here in a while.” She looked around at the smooth, pale green walls and the bookshelf of board games. “This was an after school hang out for me and Wendy during high school.”

“It’s a nice little place,” he said.

She gave him an order for coffee, then followed him with her eyes as he went to put in the order with Mrs. Kempert behind the counter. She’d never really checked out Nick’s ass before, since usually they were walking together or going in separate directions. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was still nice. Paisley caught her eye and followed her gaze, then looked back at her with one eyebrow raised.

Brandi raised her own eyebrows at Rowboat and her friend gave an almost imperceptible shrug. Guess he wasn’t going to be her…what did she call it? Mushpuppy?

“Is your friend back in town?” Nick asked when he returned with their mugs.

“What?” Why was he bringing up Sebastien?

“Your friend. The reason you checked your phone at the wine tasting.” His body was taut and he ran his finger along the edge of the table, keeping his eyes on the movement.

“Yeah, he’s back.”

“Did you get to see him?” The question was casual, whichwas good. Brandi had been with men who would get upset if they even thought she had looked at another men. Considering Sebastien was one of her best friends, those boyfriends didn’t last long.

“Yeah. He lives at the Inn, too, so I see him about every day.”

Nick nodded, his eyes thoughtful. Brandi took a sip of her coffee, unsure of the silence. “You seem pensive.”

“My last girlfriend always wanted to get more involved with cultural things,” Nick stated. More like blurted. “Like seeing plays. Spend a weekend in Atlanta, see an art show, get dinner at a fancy place. Things like going to museums. Wine tastings.”

“That’s… good?”

“I never went. It sounded too upper crust for me. I didn’t realize it was also educational. And fun.” He looked up from the table, his brown gaze intent. “I had fun with you.”

This was starting to sound like a confession. She leaned forward, eyebrows drawn down. “Be honest. Even with all the spitting?”

He laughed and sat back in his chair, finally relaxing. “That was probably the best part.”

Brandi took a sip of her coffee. What was he getting at?

“Your friend.” Nick took a swallow of his drink. “Can he measure up to my manly looks?”

Brandi laughed. “You’ve got the rugged thing going on. He’s more… polished. I’ve known him forever.”

“Just like my ex girlfriend.”

“Why did you guys break up?”