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Ellery deflated into the softest leather she’d ever touched. She wasn’t sweaty at the moment, but her dried sweat would get on this perfect car.
Derek slid in and she said, “You know how awkward I am. You’ve seen me on interviews and commercials.”
“You’re not awkward with me.” He slid sunglasses on and looked over at her. “You’re witty, unselfish, and brave.”
Her stomach swooped, and she had absolutely no response. His compliment touched her. She felt witty and brave around him. Most would probably say she was unselfish caring for her mom, but it meant a lot that he thought that. She wished he was some playboy who dated all the women who chased him so she could write off his compliments, give a snippety response, or have another reason, besides her own issues, not to trust him. He wasn’t. He was a great guy.
When she didn’t answer, he said, “Now I’m all for shopping for dresses with you if you like, but Arianna, my family’s stylist, has already been informed you’re coming. She told me you’re a size six in dresses, seven and a half in shoes …”
“How did you know that?”
“I didn’t. Arianna is a magical genie. She will have all kinds of dresses, shoes, jewelry, casual wear, toiletries, makeup, whatever a prince’s girlfriend might need, waiting for you in your suite at the castle.”
Emotion rose in her throat. He was so classy and considerate. She shouldn’t have even stressed about the awkwardness of going into Bloomingdale’s. She should correct him about the ‘prince’s girlfriend’ thing, but she didn’t want to. The idea of being his girlfriend had her as warm as the relief that she wouldn’t have to be an eyesore at the wedding, buy the wrong things, or spend her hard-earned money on clothes, shoes, or jewelry. The commercial had been quick money, but harder for her than hours of personal training.
“That is wonderful. Thank you. I hate shopping.”
He smiled. “You are a rare gem, Elle.”
He had to stop saying things like that. She wasn’t a gem at all. Why would a prince appreciate a woman who didn’t like to shop? He was a puzzle to her. A perfect puzzle.
“Sadly, we have no choice but to shop for food. Tomorrow is the Sabbath, and I try to cook and do most of my food prep on Sunday afternoon to make the week not quite so busy. This week, it’ll be food to get my mom through.” Her life was vastly different from his. She’d heard he had a personal chef who delivered meals to his penthouse when he was there, though he spent most of his time at the gym. He was perfectly fit and adept at all the ninja challenges, he’d probably buck all the trends and be the first person to win the finals twice.
“The grocery store it is, and then we’ll pick up your favorite takeout and head to your place so I can meet your mum.”
The electric supercar slid out onto the road with hardly a sound.
Ellery Monson was in a five-million-dollar race car with the most handsome prince of the century … driving to the grocery store.
“What store do you prefer?” he asked.
“Market Basket,” she murmured.
“Navigate me to Market Basket,” he told the car.
The car smoothly told him instructions, but there was no screen on the dash. This vehicle was too effortlessly beautiful and classy for a screen.
“You can’t park this exquisite car at Market Basket.”
“One of the security guards will trail us and one will watch the car.” He shrugged as if it were no big deal.
Ellery had known she’d never fit in his world. Driving to the supermarket in a Bugatti Divo in fitness apparel confirmed that. A woman in this car, sitting next to this prince, should be in a swanky red dress or at least in a sleek business suit. She should have her hair done and perfect makeup on. That woman should be someone important, accomplished, and part of his world.
She snuck a glance at Derek. He handled the car easily, like he’d been born behind an elite sports car wheel. He looked powerful, handsome, alluring, perfect. It was easy to forget he was her friend Derek, who trained and teased with her daily. She felt out of her element.
Noticing her looking at him, he smiled, reached across the console, and wrapped his hand around hers.
She was going to hyperventilate.
Luckily, he didn’t say anything, so she didn’t have to. She stupidly savored his larger hand wrapped around hers, his thumb tracing across the back of her hand.
They pulled into the market’s parking lot far too quickly. Families and couples wheeled their grocery carts out to their cars or held multiple shopping bags in their hands as they headed for the bus or the sidewalk. They all stopped and stared. Ellery didn’t blame them. She would’ve done the same.
The car’s windows were tinted so the people couldn’t see who was inside. Yet. When they saw it was Prince Derek, would they storm the car for autographs or just to touch him? The crowd at the gym had gotten semi-used to a royal in their midst, and the gym was in an exclusive neighborhood and had a higher initial and monthly membership than any gym in the state.
These people were not used to a royal in their midst.
Derek parked the car near the edge of the parking lot, leaving a few empty stalls on each side. His security guards pulled in right next to them, driving a Porsche Cayenne. Just your standard Porsche, no biggie.
