Please Be Mine

Chapter One

"Keep your eyes down, serve the food and then leave. No lingering in the Presidents Suite. No gazing, no engaging the prince in conversation, and no flirting. Especially no flirting--Prince Jonas has a shocking reputation when it comes to women. Selena, are you listening to me?"

Selena surfaced from a whirlpool of misery long enough to nod. "Yes," she croaked. "I'm listening Anna."

"The what did I just say?"

Selena's brain was foggy from a lack of sleep and a constant roundabout of self-analysis. "You said--you told me--" Her voice trailed off. "I don't know. I'm sorry."

Anna's mouth tightened with disapproval. "What is the matter with you? Usually your efficient and reliable, that's why I picked you for this job!"

Efficient and reliable.

Selena flinched at the description.

Another two flaws to add to the growing list of reasons why Logan dumped her. Apparently oblivious to the effect her words were having, Anna pushed on. "I shouldn't have to remind you that today is the most important day of my career--catering for royalty at Binghamton Stadium. This is the World Cup championship! The most important and exciting rugby tournament of the year! The eyes of the world are upon us! If we get this right, we're made. And more work for me means more work for you. But I need you to concentrate!"

A tall, slim waitress with a defiant expression on her face walked over to them, carrying an empty tray of champagne glasses'. "Give her a break will you? Her fiancé broke off their engagement last night. it's a miracle she is here at all. In her position, I wouldn't have even dragged myself out of bed."

"He broke off the engagement?" Anna glanced from one girl to the other. "Selena, is Taylor telling the truth? Why did he do that?"

Because she was efficient and reliable. Because her hair color was the color of raisins instead of a sunflower. Because she was prudish and inhibited. Because her bottom was too big...

Contemplating the length of the list, Selena was swamped by a wave of despair. "Logan's been promoted to Marketing Director. I don't fit his new image." So far she hadn't actually cried and she was quite proud of that--proud and a little puzzled. Why hadn't she cried? She loved Logan. They'd planned a future together. "He's expected to entertain clients and journalist and, well, he's driving a Porsche now, and he needs a woman to match." With a wobbly smile and a shrug, she tried to make light of it. "I'm more of a small family-hatchback."

"You are much too good for him, that's what you are." Taylor scowled and the glasses on the tray jingled dangerously. "He's a b--"

"Taylor!" Anna gave a shocked gasp, interrupting Taylor's insult. "Please remember that you are the face of my company!."

"In that case you better pay for botox for the permanent frown-lines from serving a bunch of total losers every day." Taylor's eyes flashed. "Selena's ex and his trophy blonde slut are knocking back the champagne like Logan is Marketing Director of some fortune 500 company, not the local branch at Pet Smart."

"She's with him?" Selena felt the color drain from her face. "Then I can't go up there. There hospitality box is real close to the Presidents Suite. It would just be too embarrassing for everyone. All his colleagues staring at me--her staring at me--what am I going to do?"

"Replace him with someone else. The great thing about really unsuitable men is that they are not in short supply." Taylor thrust the tray into the hands of her apoplectic boss and slipped her arms through Selena's. "Breathe deeply . In and out--that's it--good. Now, here's what your going to do. You're going to sashay into that royal box and kiss that sexy, wicked prince. If your going to fall for an unsuitable man, at least make sure he is a rich, powerful one. The king of them all. Or, in this case, the prince. Apparently he is a world-class kisser. Go for it. Tangling tongues at Binghamton. That would hock Logan."

"It would shock the prince, too." Giggling despite her misery, Selena withdrew her arm from her friend's. "I think one major rejection is good enough for one week, thanks. If I am not thin and blonde enough for the Marketing Director of Pet Smart, I'm hardly going to be thin and blonde enough for a playboy prince. It's not one of your better ideas."

"What's wrong with it? Straight from one palace to another." Taylor gave a saucy wink. "Undo a few buttons, go into the President's Suite and flirt. It's what I'd do."

"Fortunately she isn't you!" Anna's cheek flushed with outrage as she glared at Taylor. "And she will keep her buttons fastened! Quite apart from the fact that I don't pay you girls to flirt, Prince Jonas' romantic exploits are getting out of hand, and I've had strict instructions from the Palace--no pretty waitresses. No one likely to distract him. Especially no blondes. That's why I picked you in the first place, Selena. Brunette and plain--you're perfect."