Page 38 of My Best Friend Prince Charming

We got the key cards to our room and took the elevator up to the ninth floor. As we climbed the floors, Ryker leaned over and kissed me. When we got to our room, I was blown away by how gorgeous it was. The large living room had a view of the city below, thanks to an entire wall of windows. Both sides of the room had a door that led to a private bedroom.

“Your mom only agreed to let you go on the trip if we had a hotel room with separate bedrooms. Either that or two different hotel rooms.”

I laughed. That sounded like Mom. She did realize that we were in a different state and could do whatever we wanted, didn’t she? Not that I was planning on doing anything sketchy. “Which room do you want?” I asked, wandering into the room to the left.

“I think this room is yours,” Ryker called from the bedroom to the right of the living room.

“What makes you say that?” I asked, wandering into the room. A white box sat on the bed. It reminded me of the box my blue dress had been in.

“Is this what you meant by saying my dress situation was taken care of?” I asked as I opened the box.

“Yep.”

Champagne satin sat nestled among the tissue paper. I took it out and held it up by the spaghetti straps. The dress was simple but elegant. It draped along the neckline and fell to the ground, and a slit ran up one side of the dress.

“This is stunning.” It looked like it would hug my body. I held it up to myself and turned to look at my reflection in the full-length mirror. “It looks good with my skin tone.” I’d never touched such an expensive-looking dress, let alone worn one, and now this dress was mine. How could I ever hope to deserve any of this? I could never pay them back.

* * *

We spentall morning Saturday as tourists, exploring Hollywood. That afternoon Ryker had an appointment with a reporter or someone who wanted to interview him. The limo driver dropped him off, and then he took me to a salon that was recommended by Mr. Christopher. The stylist I was seeing had several clients who were celebrities. I got my hair and makeup done, and the limo arrived with Ryker to take us back to the hotel so I could put on the dress, and Ryker could change into his tux.

I slipped into my dress, my curls cascading down my back. I looked at my reflection in the full-length mirror in my gigantic gilded bathroom. I hardly recognized myself. My skin and hair looked perfectly sculpted, my lips red and sultry in contrast to the champagne satin. The dress was a perfect fit. What had happened to the girl who lived in anime t-shirts and sweatpants? After one final glance in the mirror, I stepped out of the bathroom.

Ryker emerged from his room and stopped in his tracks when he saw me. “Whoa. You look . . . flawless.”

I smiled shyly. “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.” It was true. Ryker looked mouth-wateringly good in his tux.

He gave me his arm, and we headed from our rooms to the elevator. Outside the lobby, a limo waited for us at the valet stand. We climbed inside.

“This is all so surreal,” I said, looking out the window at the darkening city.

“I know what you mean. Who would have thought that we’d be here? We were the kids who were too poor to even go to Starbucks.”

“I can’t even think about how much this dress cost,” I said.

“Mr. Christopher insisted on getting it for you.”

“I’m just afraid I’m going to spill a drink on it or something.”

“You won’t,” Ryker said.

The limo pulled up behind a line of cars and limos, letting passengers out at the red carpet. I could see up ahead a crowd of roped-off reporters lining either side of the red walkway. Nervous jitters fluttered in my belly. I’d only tried to get away from the paparazzi, and now we were walking knowingly into the biggest crowd of them yet.

Ryker took my hand and squeezed. “You’re going to be just fine. You don’t have to talk to any of them. Just smile and wave.”

The air suddenly felt scarce in the limo. I fanned my face with my hands to get some airflow without rolling down a window. Before I was ready, the limo pulled up.

“Ready?” Ryker asked.

“It’s now or never, right?”

He opened the door and stepped out first. Immediately, the crowd of reporters went insane. I could see Ryker waving from where I still sat in the limo, and I could imagine the smile he was giving them all. The guy sure knew how to lay on the charm.

He turned around and grabbed my hand, helping me out of the limo.Just smile. Don’t think about what they’re doing.I stretched a smile across my face and tried to keep from squinting in the blinding flashes that never seemed to stop.

“Ryker White? Is that you?” A busty blonde with a plunging neckline wrapped her arm around his, sidling right up next to him. “We have been dying to meet you.”

A fiery redhead wedged herself between Ryker and me. Why hadn’t I reached back out to take his arm after I got out of the limo? I didn’t realize I’d have to stake my claim on my man. I could feel my smile beginning to strain.

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