Ari quickly dialed Vickie's number as she left the hospital. If anyone could help her, it was her zany friend."Hello?" Vickie answered on the first ring. "Vickie, I need your help," Ari spat into the phone, headed across the parking lot toward her car.There was a slight pause. "What do you need?" Vickie's voice was suddenly serious, more restrained than Ari had ever known her to be.Ari climbed into the driver's seat and a moment later, the engine roared to life. "I need you to make me pretty."Vickie laughed. "You're already beautiful. We just need to make you gorgeous!"Ari smiled. With all the doom and gloom in her life, Ari was relieved to have a moment of reprieve."So, you decided to do it?" Vickie asked, excitement coloring her voice. "Which company did you decide to go with?""AmericanMate." Ari turned the corner onto the main road. The certified virginity statement was on the passenger's seat. She caught it before it fell onto the floor. She made a mental note to make a cop
A few days after sending in her paperwork, her phone rang. When Ari looked at the caller ID, it was AmericanMate. "Hello?" Ari asked, answering on the first ring. Butterflies danced in her stomach. This was the call she had been waiting for. "Yes. Is this Miss Ari Douglas?" a female voice asked at the other end. Ari worked to keep her voice even. "Yes, this is Ari," she replied, her heart pounding."Hello. My name is Alba and I'm calling from AmericanMate," the woman said. "We received your paperwork and the owner would like to speak with you personally regarding your match. Do you have a moment?""Yes, of course." Every scenario ran through her mind from being set up with a millionaire to being rejected… and everything between."Hold just one moment, please." Chamber music immediately started playing in her ear. Ari didn't mind. She was glad for the moment of reprieve. She took a few deep, calming breaths while she waited.Vickie looked over from her desk where she was doing her h
"Olivia, I'm expecting a call in just a moment," Grayson said into the speaker phone. "Hold all my other calls, please.""Yes, Your Highness," she responded. "Thanks, Olivia."Grayson let out a deep breath as he disconnected, hoping he was doing the right thing. He had thought of it over and again and knew it was the right choice. He had only given his heart to one woman before... and she had just shattered it. No, he was better off living without love. After all, his forefathers and other royals in the past, even nobles, married for status, money, and to continue their royal lineage. Why shouldn't he?The phone buzzed and Grayson hit the speaker button. "Your Highness, the call you are expecting is on the line.""Thank you, Olivia." He clicked off a moment later, he clicked a button on his computer. Immediately, a well-dressed man with salt and pepper gray hair appeared on the screen. "Your Highness, my name is Mr. Franklin from AmericanMate. I have Miss Douglas on the line. Is now a
Later that day, Grayson gave Carlton a call. He had stressed to Ari not to divulge her connection with AmericanMate, but Carlton knew about it, too. Grayson knew Carlton wouldn't leak anything to the media, but he wanted to make sure."What's up?" Carlton answered on the first ring.Grayson let out a deep breath. "I need to ask you a favor."Carlton laughed. "You change your mind about the girls?""No, not hardly." Grayson rolled his eyes. As long as they had been friends, he really was starting to get on his nerves. But they had been through too much together and like brothers for too long. "What can I do you for?" When they were younger, Carlton seemed worldly, in control. He had always been Grayson's best friend. But now that they were getting older, the act was getting old. Grayson wondered if he was ever going to grow up. But, clearly, he had Peter Pan Syndrome and probably never will. Grayson just hoped that one day he would."Do you remember our conversation the other night?" G
After Declan left, Grayson texted his brother. So, are you going to the castle tonight for dinner?I hadn't planned on it, Xavier answered. Why? Should I?Grayson laughed. You know me well. There was a pause, and then Xavier texted back, I take that as a yes.Thanks, man. See you there. Then Grayson clicked off. Now was as good a time as any to get this over with, and he wanted his brother there when he dropped the bomb on their father. Grayson hurried to pack his briefcase and then rushed out the door. He went home and showered, shaved, and dressed in proper dinner attire, and then headed to the castle. Both Grayson and Xavier had moved out of the castle officially a few years back, although their father still maintained rooms in the castle for them. Grayson thought that their father was secretly hoping that they'd both move back permanently one day. But that wasn't going to happen. Both he and his brother liked having their own lives away from the castle. Before long, he turned do
After AmericanMate took their forty percent commission, Ari still ended up with three million dollars. She cashed the check and made an appointment for a private meeting with the hospital administrator, Dr. Alice Sanders. Waiting in the hallway, she just hoped that the administrator came out before her mother saw her there. She had no idea what she would say to her if she caught her there. But she had made the deal and there was no backing out now. But then again, Ari always honored her promises.Prince Grayson of Estrea had given her exactly three days to get her affairs in order and to meet him in Estrea for their wedding. Ari truly felt like Cinderella on her way to the ball, knowing that she would be married in just a few short days, although to a man she didn't know."Miss Douglas." Dr. Sanders hand out her hand as a warm smile flashed over her perfect face. "I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting. Won't you come in?"Ari rose to her feet and headed inside.Dr. Sanders closed her o
Ari stepped into the elevator, headed toward Henley's room. She had been dreading this conversation. The door opened on the third floor, giving her a moment to think of how to word it correctly. There was no way that she could tell her everything, but she could tell her enough. Ari just hoped Henley understood... if not now, then maybe someday. Henley was lying on her hospital bed. When they were children, Henley's hair had always reminded Ari of the sunset. Now, her light auburn hair was starting to fade, and her skin was too pale. As Ari moved closer, she noticed that Henley's eyes were closed. Ari feared that Henley was asleep, until she opened her eyes and smiled. It seemed strange, seeing Henley so weak. She had always been a track star, always so full of life. Ari had to believe that she would be again."Hey, girl," Ari said softly, smiling as she crossed the room. "Wow." Henley sat up, moving slowly. "Did Vickie finally get hold of you? You look great! I love your hair!"Ari s
Ari slid into the limousine beside the woman, and took the long, fluted champagne glass she offered. Although Ari didn't drink, she needed one now. "The name's Lillian Durling," the woman said in a slightly British accent. She took a sip of her champagne."And you are?" From her accent, Ari thought that she was probably from Estrea but wanted to know for sure.The woman refilled Ari's glass. "I am Lillian, your new personal shopper." She held her arms out wide as a broad smile spread across her face. "We're going shopping!"Ari smiled. "Did my fiancé send you?" She was careful not to say his name in case the driver wasn't from Estrea."Aaahh!!! You're learning!" She leaned forward conspiratorially. "Yes, he did. He wants me to take you on a shopping spree to get you everything you will need to be a princess of Estrea."Ari noticed that the woman said, "to be a princess" and not "to feel like a princess". At that moment, it dawned on her how different her life was going to be from this