Page 27 of An Inconvenient Plan
She blinked as it occurred to her he was negotiating a business investment and not making a princely gesture toward her. “I’m afraid it’s still out of my budget.” She’d already done the math, and even a thirty-year loan would be tough.
“Work up some numbers and we’ll see if we can work something out.”
“It would have to be a much longer loan to bring it within range.”
“Email me the details when you get a chance. Now there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“Anything,” she replied immediately. The man was trying to help her make her dreams come true.
He chuckled. “Ah, Hailey, a woman after my own capitalistic nature. I like that we see eye to eye. Just between you and me, I’ve been in a rut. Literally. I broke up with someone after five years, and then I rutted my way through Europe. That’s the other reason I’m here; besides babysitting my sister and putting out some business feelers, I’m supposed to be lying low. Then I met you, accomplished, beautiful Hailey. All of that to say, would you be my date for my sister’s wedding? You’re the kind of classy woman who could restore my reputation.”
Shewasa classy lady and didn’t mind helping him out. “Sure. You mean Silvia’s wedding here, right?” Silvia had already invited her as a courtesy, but this would be a little different, going as his date. She’d need to get Ally to help cover some of the background details on the wedding day so Hailey could focus on helping Phillip restore his image in front of his closest family and friends.
“Here and back home,” he replied. “All expenses paid, of course.”
Ahh! The prince wants to bring me as his date to the royal wedding on Villroy Island!
“They wouldn’t mind that I’m a commoner?” she blurted. He’d said before his Brooklyn cousins weren’t invited to the Villroy wedding because their dad abdicated the throne by marrying a commoner.
“My cousins are only excluded because their dad was the heir. I’m the spare and get more leeway. You will be treated royally, I promise.”
“That would be lovely,” she replied in what she hoped was a calm composed voice. She’d always wanted to travel, but never had the money. She’d never even flown in a plane before. The furthest she’d been was an eighth-grade field trip to Washington, DC, by bus.
“Wonderful,” Phillip said. “I’ll send you the details. There will be quite a bit of press back home, and this will really help me out. Thanks again.”
“Thankyou! I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Talk soon.”
“Any time.”
He hung up. She disconnected and just sat there for a long moment in shock. Was she really going to Villroy Island as the guest of a freaking prince in a royal wedding? What did this mean? Was she just a prop to restore his reputation, or was he interested in her? He was very appealing—handsome, surprisingly down-to-earth, and an actual prince. She shouldn’t get hung up on the prince thing, but it was hard not to. It was like every fairy-tale movie she’d ever seen. The royal thing was impossible to resist.
She needed to talk to Mad, her best friend and the only woman she knew who spoke “guy” fluently on account of her slew of big brothers. She texted her first:Desperately need to talk. Is this a good time to call?
She knew Mad had a busy schedule between working shifts at Garner’s as bartender and waitress and finishing up college with her bachelor’s degree. Plus she lived with her fiancé and half the time they were going at it.
Mad texted back:Come over. Park’s grilling burgers. We’ll throw one on for you.
Hailey:On my way!
She quickly closed up shop, took care of Rose, and got them both into her car. Mad lived in an apartment in Eastman, the town next to Clover Park. She was so relieved Mad was available. This kind of news couldn’t be delayed.
When she got to Mad and Parker’s first-floor apartment, Mad answered the door in her usual worn T-shirt, cargo shorts, and black work boots. She was petite and fit, her body swimming in her “comfortable” clothes. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, which gave it a very interesting look since she was growing out the dyed fire-engine red. Now just the ponytail was red and the rest dark brown.
“Your hair almost looks normal,” Hailey said, flicking the ponytail.
“Right? I’m starting to remember what I used to look like.” She scooped Rose out of Hailey’s purse and cuddled her close. “Hello, puppy.”
Hailey stepped inside to a comfortable space with a black leather sectional, ottoman, and glass coffee table. A big-screen TV hung on the wall across from the sofa.
“Stick around after dinner,” Mad said. “We’re watching this cool car show where they restore classic cars.” Parker worked at a classic-car restoration shop. It wasn’t Hailey’s speed, but she appreciated the way Mad always included her.
“Maybe. Depends on how tired I am. It’s been quite a week!”
“I hear that. Beer?” She set Rose on the floor, who followed Mad to the kitchen, sniffing for crumbs.
“I’ll just get some water.” Hailey went to the kitchen too and got herself some water. She knew where everything was.
