Page 36 of My Best Friend Prince Charming

“Can I get in?”

She narrowed her eyes at me like I was poisoned but then nodded.

I rounded the car to the passenger side and climbed inside. “You saw what Tabby did to me, didn’t you?”

“Why, Ryker? Tabby? Really? She’s horrible.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she dabbed at them with a tissue that looked like it had been through a war zone.

“I can explain.”

“I’m sure you have some sort of fancy explanation. And then I’ll believe you and fall for it all over again.”

“I don’t have a fancy explanation. It’s a lame one. Because what happened was very stupid and lame.”

“Well, we can both agree with that.”

I explained the situation to her, ending with what I saw in the bushes with the paparazzi guy.

“That is the most ridiculous story I’ve ever heard. You expect me to believe that?”

“Have I ever lied to you before?”

“Well, there was that one time when it was my birthday, and you didn’t tell me my house was full of about fifty people. And you know I don’t like crowds.”

“That doesn’t count.”

“Then . . . no.”

“Tabby did it for the money. And, by the looks of it, she was handsomely paid for her efforts. They couldn't even get her to do it for free.”

“Why would the media go through all that trouble of getting a picture of someone else kissing you?” Shannon asked.

“Because then it looks more scandalous. I guess the fact that you’re my next-door neighbor and someone I’ve been best friends with for the past ten years was too stable and boring for them.”

“So they’re trying to make it look like you’re cheating on me. Or maybe you’re this guy who jumps from woman to woman.”

“Or both,” I said, thinking of Austin boasting about jumping from girl to girl while he was still dating Shannon.

“Look,” Shannon said, pointing out her window.

Across the parking lot, we spotted Tabby arguing with Austin. He was waving his arms around to make his points. I was really glad we had the windows rolled up, so we weren’t able to hear what they were saying. It didn’t look like it sounded pleasant. Maybe all of Austin’s mistreatment of women was coming back to finally catch up with him.

“Did he see her kissing you?” she asked.

“Yeah. I told him the truth, but he didn’t believe me.”

“Of course not. Because cheaters expect everyone else to be cheaters like them.”

“And liars, too,” I said.

“Part of me actually feels kind of sorry for him,” Shannon admitted.

“Why?” I scowled. I didn’t feel one ounce of pity for the guy. He’d had it coming to him for a long time.

“Because I know what it feels like to be cheated on. You feel so worthless and rejected.”

“Is that how you felt just now when I found you crying in the car?” I asked.

She nodded, fresh tears springing in her eyes.

“Oh, come here, Shannon. You are anything but worthless and rejected. You are priceless and so very wanted.”

“Thank you, Ryker,” she whispered.

I was such a fool to ever think I would be able to protect Shannon from the paparazzi. It seemed that the harder I tried to keep her safe, the harder they tried to destroy everything I’d ever wanted with Shannon.

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