Page 34 of Tabloid Princess

“Go viral?”

“We need a logo. Something simple that people can use if they want. Like I’m getting way ahead of myself now,” Janine spoke fast. “But imagine if, I don’t know, Taylor Swift wore a T-shirt with it on. Katy Perry?”

“They hate each other,” Molly added—her input to the ground-breaking conversation.

“Not anymore, they are BFF’s now.” I added for no other reason than the fact I’d read the gossip recently. I froze as a low chuckle came from the direction of the prince. I glanced over—an automatic reaction—to find his lips curved in a sardonic smile.

“Hmm, I could ask Emilia if she’d like to knock us something up?” I tried to focus again.

“Perfect! Team, I’m feeling good. This is an amazing situation we find ourselves in, but let’s concentrate on the people this is for.” Janine looked like she’d explode from excitement.

The prince cleared his throat then. “You know if you want something to go viral, I could probably help.”

I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying anything stupid. Or saying anything at all. Ever.

“You would?” Janine asked. For a moment the cool exterior of the prince slipped and he appeared almost bashful.

“I can give it a go. It depends on if the press like me this week.”

Freya’s phone pinged and we all turned to her. She smirked a satisfied smile as she glanced at her screen. “They like you this week. There are three reporters outside already.”

He nodded but it seemed stiff to me. “Excellent.”

The impromptu meeting with a royal dispersed and Janine turned for her office. I got up from my desk to follow her. “Can I have a word?” I knocked on the door despite only being three steps behind her.

“Sure. Come in.”

“I wanted to ask something.”

She sat in her seat and motioned for me to grab one. I couldn’t help but remember my meeting with the prince in here.

“Leia, I don’t know how you turned this around for us. It went from a fleeting visit, to our bank balance looking healthier than it ever has and people wanting to feature us on the television.”

A little flicker of pride bloomed, and my smile widened. “I was just honest. But, listen, Janine. If the TV crews come here, can I please ask you don’t ask me to speak to anyone.” I shifted in the seat. “I just don’t want to be seen.”

“Sure, I can understand that.” Her warm brown gaze appraised me. “You know it’s been a long time; I doubt anyone in those flats remembers the little girl you were when you left.”

“Still. I’d rather not.”

“How’s Nana?”

I chuckled and grinned. “Amazing.”

“You know. Even after all this, everything that’s happening this week—changing. Finding her for you is still the single best thing I have ever done in my life.”

I nodded, my throat thickening. “I don’t know what would have happened to me if you hadn’t.”

Janine moved forward and reached for my hand which she squeezed tight. “You’re a survivor, Leia. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise.”

“I had to be. Otherwise I’d be dead too.”

“Right.” Janine clapped her hands—this must have been her new thing. “Go and find Emilia. We all need a coffee anyway and see if you can ask her to make something all the cool kids won’t mind being seen with.”

“You do realise I know nothing about being a cool kid?”

“Go on, scoot. Make mine a latte with an extra shot.”

The phone rang and she picked it up singing, “Bright Futures, how may we help?” into the phone.