Page 25 of Lone Spy

"Oh," Zade says. "A prince with a voice like that. My god, woman, can I be you for a day?"

"No."

Zade cackles as they grab a croissant. "Fine, the world couldn't take my fabulousness in that." They gesture to my body.

"True." I'm staring down at the phone at the message, X-rated memories playing across my mind's eye.

"Oh my goddess!" Zade yells. "Did you fuck the prince? Yesterday? Is that why you skipped that dinner? How? When? Fuck you, tell me everything."

I laugh, Zade's tsunami of questions releasing something in my chest. "He met me at the Globe Theatre and then took me for a private tour of the Tate Modern. The princess had to cancel lunch, and he showed up to offer an alternative."

"He just showed up?" Zade sounds impressed. "A prince who takes initiative. We like that."

"Yes," I agree. "We do." The smile that sneaks onto my face has Zade cackling. Waving my hand, I change the subject. "Mary is sending a new assistant for me—Lloyd Sinclair."

Zade's lips purse.

"He's an Oxford graduate."

"I hope he's not a snob." Zade pours themself some coffee.

"I can't imagine Mary would hire someone who’s going to look down on us."

Movement in the corner of my eye turns into Ash, standing in the curtains, doing that solid ghost thing he does. How is a man that big that quiet? "Lloyd Sinclair is here."

"He's early," I say, looking down at my phone.

"That's probably a good thing for a man in his role," Ash points out.

"Is he hot?" Zade asks.

Ash ignores the question. Zade grins wickedly at Ash who…wait, was that a…did his lips curl? Zade did claim to have the magical power of making Ash smile.

"Do you want me to have him wait outside while you dress?" Ash asks.

"Yes, I suppose I should have a bra on when we meet for the first time," I say. Zade snorts. Ash nods.

Jeans and a cottonwhite button-up blouse, collar up, sleeves rolled. My hair piled up into a messy bun. Simple strand of pearls, a watch from Patek Philippe—sent over this morning as part of our negotiations for me to become their next "face." Mary told me to wear it today and be sure to let the paparazzi get a shot.

It's 18k gold, simple and elegant, and probably costs more than the average car. I stare at it for a long moment. They are paying me to wear this…

A knock on the bedroom door pulls my attention. Zade enters without waiting. "He's hot in a nerdy way," they announce once the door has swung shut behind them.

"Good to know. We're talking about Lloyd, right?" I cross to my closet, pulling out a pair of ankle height brown leather boots with low heels.

Zade shakes their head. "No."

"No?" I look down at the boots.

"You need a stylist to be picking all your clothing."

I look down at myself. "Pretty sure this outfit works."

"If you're boring."

I laugh. They join me at the closet to review the selection.

"Zade, we can't all be as fabulous as you, the world would explode."

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