Page 59 of The Prince's Game
“My sister’s a terrible liar.” She folded her arms, heightening the cleavage of her chest. It was an old trick meant to distract, but Evan’s gaze was steady on hers.
“Yes, she’s an even worse actress. She tells me you got all those genes.”
She gave up on the cleavage front and toyed with a strand of her hair that fell over her breasts. His gaze never fled south. I frowned, unsure why my sister was trying to openly flirt with my man in front of me. We loved to prank each other, but men were a boundary we never crossed. Evan was mine. She knew this, and yet she was drawing her finger down her breasts in a taunting manner. “What else did she tell you about me?”
“You’re a remarkable painter who lives a carefree existence and loves toying with men.” He leaned in, pulling me with him so I could hear. “And by the way, all that flirtatious charm you’re throwing my way right now? It isn’t going to work on me, sweetheart. But feel free to keep trying.”
“Oh, I like him.” Her eyes sparkled. “I approve of the potential future brother-in-law.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course you do.” She was easy to please.
“Can I borrow her for a minute?” Abby looped her arm through mine without waiting for a reply. “Thanks, future BIL.” She dragged me up the stairs too fast for the cameraman and pulled me into her old room before slamming the door. “Jesus, Sarah. He’s even more gorgeous in person.”
I punched her on the arm. “What the hell, Abby? Sister pact, remember? You were totally flirting with him!”
“Well, duh, to test him. Gotta make sure the man my sister’s in love with is worthy, and wow, is he worthy. He knew right away I wasn’t you! I wasn’t sure if he was just tense in general, but the way he melted when you walked out of the house, there’s no question, Sis. He’s as gone for you as you are for him.”
If only. I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower and sinks. Abby’s forehead creased, but she didn’t say anything. “They’ve probably bugged all the rooms.” I kept my voice low. This was my first time getting her alone without Brenda or anyone else lurking nearby. “He knows you’re the one who did the interview.”
“What?!”
“Shh! I don’t want anyone to hear this, okay?”
“He knows and didn’t send you home?”
“No, he proposed a deal instead. I stay on and reject his proposal in the end, and he’ll fund my marketing firm.” I waited while that sunk in. “We’re acting for the cameras.”
Her head swayed slowly back and forth. “No. You’re a shitty actress, Sis. You’re not faking the way you feel about him.” I didn’t deny it, making her lips part. “Oh shit, you’ve gone and fallen for him, and you have to reject his proposal.” Now it was sinking in, the guilt and the understanding that was long overdue. “Oh, I meant for this to be a joke, give you a short vacation. I didn’t . . . Oh, I’m such a bitch!”
“Yes, you are. Big time.”
“Oh, Sarah, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. But hold on, helikesyou. And why does he want you to reject his proposal in the end? Doesn’t he want a wife?”
I explained the history with his parents and how they were forcing him to get married or give up the company to Wyatt. Her lips were pursed by the end.
“And I thought Mom butting into my dating life was rough. That’s just, well, thatsucks.” She shook her head again but then stopped. “Okay, but he likes you. I know what a man looks like when he’s smitten, and that man down there is more than smitten. He didn’t look at my boobs once, and my rack is fantastic. Well, so is yours, but seriously, being with two identical twins is like every man’s dream come true. The director is thinking it, Evan’s dad is definitely dreaming about it, and all the male members of that crew are looking—”
“Right, I get it. I have eyes, too. Get to the point.”
“Evan’s the only one down therenotthinking about it. He’s not even interested, because he’s in love with you.”
A laugh escaped me. “No, he’s not. It’s only been a few weeks—”
“Yet you’re already in love with him.”
“Totally different, and he’s not interested in anything long-term. What we’re doing is temporary.”
“So there is something going on off camera. I knew it. He’s totally gone for you.”
“No, it’s just sex.” Okay, that needed to be reworded. “Amazingsex—totally not the point—but that’s all there is between us.” And a few late-night discussions that went beyond the physical and into the emotional. Not important.
“I’m sure the sex is phenomenal, withthatbody.” She paused, no doubt picturing it, making me pinch her. “Right, sorry. No, there’s more to it. He knew right away I wasn’t you. Not even Mom has won the game that fast. He’s into you.”
“Maybe.” I chewed my lip. “But I still have to reject his proposal. I signed a contract.”
“Screw the legalities. Say yes and see what happens.”
“After two months of knowing him? Seems a bit fast, doesn’t it?”
