Page 52 of Prince of Her Heart
Tabitha paused mid-stride.“Wait,youstarted the rich part?”
“Well…” Stacy gave her a shameless grin.“Can you blame me?I mean, look at your outfits.That ring.Thatman.I couldn’t let Leandra get the last word.”
Tabitha shook her head, laughter and fury tangled in her chest.“Oh, my mother issogoing to pay for this.”
“Please let me be there when you tell her off,” Stacy said sweetly, already reaching for a glass of champagne.
Tabitha’s fingers clenched into fists.“I’m going to…!”
“Hey,” Stacy interrupted gently, rising from her stool to take Tabitha’s hands in hers.“At least your mom’s little stunt got you back here for my wedding.And you know I’ve been begging you to come.”She gave a small shrug.“If it took one tiny lie to get you here, I don’t care.You’re my best friend.You wouldn’t agree to be in the wedding party—this is the next best thing.I get to have you close.”
“I know,” Tabitha whispered, lowering her head, ashamed.“I’m sorry I was so stubborn.If I’d just listened to you, I wouldn’t be in this… mess.”
Stacy didn’t speak right away.Her fingers squeezed Tabitha’s.
Then, in a quieter voice, she said, “I know you’re in love with him.”
Tabitha’s head shot up.“Huh?”
Stacy smiled knowingly, her eyes soft.“I’ve known for a while.I’ve heard the way you talk about your boss.Ramzi this, Ramzi that.Everything he says, you’ve told me about.Every.Little.Thing.”
“That’s just because…” Tabitha stammered.“Well, he’s smart.”
“And you admire him.”
“Obviously.”
Stacy tilted her head.“And you think he’s hot.”
Tabitha let out a snort.“Who doesn’t?”
“And you want to be with him.All the time.”
Tabitha swiped another tear from under her eye, finally surrendering with a sigh.“Yeah.”She’d already admitted it to herself.There was no point pretending with Stacy.Not now.
“So,” Stacy said slowly, “you’re in love with your fake fiancé.”
Tabitha groaned, but couldn’t help laughing a little.“Yes.”
“And you’ve been in his bed and enjoyed every second.”
“Very much,” Tabitha said, shaking her head.“Unfortunately, Ms.Weatherby caught me leaving his room this morning, so by now, the entire church choir probably knows too.”
“Please.Ms.Weatherby is a professional snoop.Don’t give her that much power.”Stacy grinned, then leaned forward.“But if it helps, I’ve got something better than gossip.”
Tabitha gave her a wary glance.“What’s that?”
“He’s in love with you too.”
She let out another snort, shaking her head.“No, he isn’t.He’s just playing along.Being… kind.”
“No, Tab.He’s not pretending.”Stacy’s voice turned serious.“I’ve been watching him.The way he looks at you?That man isgone.Head over heels.”
Tabitha tried to laugh it off but her chest ached.“He’s not.”
“Heis.”Stacy didn’t budge.“But if you’re too busy crying and running away to see it, that’s on you.”
Before Tabitha could argue again, a knock tapped at the door and Stacy’s cousin poked her head in.“Time to get dressed, bride.You’re going to be late.”
