did sound like fun. It sounded like a romantic getaway for two people in love. But that wasn’t the case. They weren’t in love. And they didn’t have a chance of falling in love, of being together, because she was not one of the fifteen beautiful women who would soon do battle for his affections.
Chloe swallowed nervously. A feeling of impending doom washed over her. She had feelings for Max. She couldn’t deny it. One didn’t share an extraordinary night with a man and simply not experience some emotional upheaval.
But she couldn’t act on those feelings. To do so would jeopardize her career and burn some serious bridges in Hollywood. Making Antonia and Lester angry would be the death of her dreams of a successful acting career. She couldn’t afford to do that.
She wasn’t sure how this would work. She was going to be alone with him for two days. Oh, heavens, no! Just looking at him made her heart somersault and her palms sweat.
Somehow she found her voice. “When do we leave?”
“The flight leaves L.A. at six tonight. I’ve instructed the driver to take you and Max to one of my favorite restaurants for dinner. You’ll simply love it,” Antonia said with a bright smile. “You’ll have one night alone together before the contestants arrive tomorrow night. I hope you’ll become good friends.”
Chloe thought Antonia looked rather pleased with herself. Sort of like the cat who stole the milk. She wondered if there was something she didn’t know about this reality show. But it was more likely Antonia was thrilled the show was finally going to start production. Chloe decided not to dwell on it or become paranoid. She had a tendency to do that. She needed to stop worrying so much and let herself enjoy things as they came instead of psychoanalyzing everything. Not everyone had an agenda. And Antonia only had good intentions; after all, she wanted the show to succeed.
The doors to the boardroom flew open and in walked a slew of waitresses and waiters, dressed in pristine white, with trays and serving carts laden down with delicious luncheon goodies.
“Lunch is on EVE today.” Antonia beamed. “We want to thank you all in advance for the fabulous show you’re going to create. Lester and I know it’ll be a smash hit, definitely the type of show everyone will be talking about around the water coolers at work. It will revive the popularity of reality television.”
Chloe couldn’t believe her eyes. She had never seen so much food. Scrumptious smells filled the room, and her stomach rumbled. She’d forgotten to eat breakfast. She’d been so worried about the meeting.
“Would you and Max do the honors of cutting the cake?” asked Antonia.
A waiter handed Max a silver knife just as a gigantic sheet cake appeared, carried by four waiters. The cake was white, but the letters spelling out the show’s name were a brilliant royal purple.
A champagne glass materialized in Chloe’s hand. She was so astonished by all the grandeur, she nearly fainted. Her fingers trembled on the elegant stem. It was not made of cheap plastic—it was actually real glass or crystal. She couldn’t tell which, but it was definitely not one of the dollar cups she bought on New Year’s Eve for the lame party she and Julia hosted every year.
Max smiled at her. She couldn’t help but smile back.
“Shall we?” he asked, nodding his head towards the massive cake. It practically covered the entire table.
She couldn’t speak. She nodded and rested her hand over his. His skin was warm, and the pads of her fingers slid softly in the valleys between his knuckles.
“To Prince Max and Miss Chloe,” toasted Lester, “who will make Courting His Royal Highness the most popular reality show in history.”
A chorus of cheers erupted around the conference room. Everyone raised glasses in the air. Chloe didn’t have time to be nervous, although it did seem like a lot of pressure to put on two people.
Max lowered the knife.
Chloe swallowed nervously. A feeling of impending doom washed over her. She had feelings for Max. She couldn’t deny it. One didn’t share an extraordinary night with a man and simply not experience some emotional upheaval.
But she couldn’t act on those feelings. To do so would jeopardize her career and burn some serious bridges in Hollywood. Making Antonia and Lester angry would be the death of her dreams of a successful acting career. She couldn’t afford to do that.
She wasn’t sure how this would work. She was going to be alone with him for two days. Oh, heavens, no! Just looking at him made her heart somersault and her palms sweat.
Somehow she found her voice. “When do we leave?”
“The flight leaves L.A. at six tonight. I’ve instructed the driver to take you and Max to one of my favorite restaurants for dinner. You’ll simply love it,” Antonia said with a bright smile. “You’ll have one night alone together before the contestants arrive tomorrow night. I hope you’ll become good friends.”
Chloe thought Antonia looked rather pleased with herself. Sort of like the cat who stole the milk. She wondered if there was something she didn’t know about this reality show. But it was more likely Antonia was thrilled the show was finally going to start production. Chloe decided not to dwell on it or become paranoid. She had a tendency to do that. She needed to stop worrying so much and let herself enjoy things as they came instead of psychoanalyzing everything. Not everyone had an agenda. And Antonia only had good intentions; after all, she wanted the show to succeed.
The doors to the boardroom flew open and in walked a slew of waitresses and waiters, dressed in pristine white, with trays and serving carts laden down with delicious luncheon goodies.
“Lunch is on EVE today.” Antonia beamed. “We want to thank you all in advance for the fabulous show you’re going to create. Lester and I know it’ll be a smash hit, definitely the type of show everyone will be talking about around the water coolers at work. It will revive the popularity of reality television.”
Chloe couldn’t believe her eyes. She had never seen so much food. Scrumptious smells filled the room, and her stomach rumbled. She’d forgotten to eat breakfast. She’d been so worried about the meeting.
“Would you and Max do the honors of cutting the cake?” asked Antonia.
A waiter handed Max a silver knife just as a gigantic sheet cake appeared, carried by four waiters. The cake was white, but the letters spelling out the show’s name were a brilliant royal purple.
A champagne glass materialized in Chloe’s hand. She was so astonished by all the grandeur, she nearly fainted. Her fingers trembled on the elegant stem. It was not made of cheap plastic—it was actually real glass or crystal. She couldn’t tell which, but it was definitely not one of the dollar cups she bought on New Year’s Eve for the lame party she and Julia hosted every year.
Max smiled at her. She couldn’t help but smile back.
“Shall we?” he asked, nodding his head towards the massive cake. It practically covered the entire table.
She couldn’t speak. She nodded and rested her hand over his. His skin was warm, and the pads of her fingers slid softly in the valleys between his knuckles.
“To Prince Max and Miss Chloe,” toasted Lester, “who will make Courting His Royal Highness the most popular reality show in history.”
A chorus of cheers erupted around the conference room. Everyone raised glasses in the air. Chloe didn’t have time to be nervous, although it did seem like a lot of pressure to put on two people.
Max lowered the knife.
Similar Books
