Page 80 of The Prince Who Loved Me

“Whatever we get, we can put on his Highness’s tab, right?” Carolann asked.

“No,” Brandi stated. “Whatever you get, you’re paying for yourself.”

Carolann laughed. “Don’t be silly. You know he’ll pay for it. What good is being a prince if you can’t spoil your girlfriend’s mother?” She proceeded to order an expensive glass of wine.

“You should start a tab for her,” Brandi told the waiter.

“You’re taking all the fun out of it,” Carolann said. “Fine, I’ll have a ginger ale. Party pooper,” she added as the waiter walked away.

Brandi exhaled in relief and exchanged glances with Wendy.

“Should I go?” her cousin mouthed.

Part of her wanted Wendy to take control like she was so good at, take care of the situation and take her mom away. New Brandi could handle it.

She hoped.

“Aunt Carolann, it’s been a long night. I’m heading upstairs,” Wendy said. “Good night.”

Carolann lifted her hand and Wendy gave her a quick hug. “Good night, sweetie.”

Wendy left the bar, followed by Rob. Brandi gave a little wave to Josh and Jordan, who left on Wendy’s heels. Massimo stayed, sitting at an angle at a table next to them, his eye on both Brandi and the rest of the bar patrons.

“Why hasn’t that man put a ring on her finger yet?” Carolann asked, watching Rob leave. “What is she doingwrong?”

“Wendy’s relationship is none of your business.” Brandi gripped her seat cushion. “For that matter, neither is mine.”

The waiter came back with the glass of ginger ale. “You’re a doll,” Carolann said, beaming up at him.

“Anything else, ma’am?”

Was it wrong of Brandi to enjoy the way her mom’s smile faltered at being called ma’am?

“No. This is all.” She took a sip as the waiter left, then turned to Brandi. Her eyes took on a calculating gleam. “So, what’s your plan?”

“My plan for what?”

“For your prince! Are you going to marry him? Make sure you don’t sign a prenup. If you do everything I’ve taught you, he’ll agree regardless of what his family wants.”

Brandi sat there, stunned. This is what it took to for her mom to talk to her? “It’s not like that, Mom.”

“I knew that boy was half in love with you when you first met him. How can you tell me it’s not like that? You’ve been playing the long game with him for almost ten years.”

“What are you doing in Atlanta, anyway? I thought you were in Amelia Island.” Brandi asked. No way was she discussing her relationship with Sebastien.

“I moved last week.” Carolann waved her hand.

Using Brandi’s money, no doubt. “How did you find me here?”

“Once I saw the picture of you online and the art gallery was identified, I started calling nearby hotels, asking to be connected to your room. But you aren’t registered under your name.” She arched an eyebrow. “Shacking up with royalty?”

Brandi motioned her hand for Carolann to continue.

“I started asking for Wendy instead. And eventually found her. I figured the two of you would be staying at the sameplace. And here you are.”

“And here I am,” Brandi echoed. If only Carolann had used her brains and cunning for something other than deception and manipulation. “Where’s my money, Mom?”

“What do you mean, baby?” Her mother opened her eyes wide and fiddled with the small straw that came with her soda.