“No.” She smiled a sad smile and shrugged her shoulder. “It’s a long story. A story for another time.”
He was curious about what had happened but he didn’t want her thinking sad thoughts. Especially not tonight. “Another time it is. You look lovely. Beyond lovely.
Where did you find such a beautiful gown on such short notice?”
“My fairy godfather hooked me up.” There was a twinkle in her eyes as she spoke.
Did he hear her right? “Fairy godfather?”
“Yes, my friend Shelton had an extra dress. He even took it in for me on the plane.”
“Remind me to thank him.”
“You’ll get the chance to do it later. I hope you don’t mind but I had to bring them along as well.”
“Them?”
“Miller too. Shelton insisted, and well…”
“I don’t mind at all.” As long as she was here, all was right with his world. He pulled her in tighter to him and let the music do the talking for a few seconds as he relished in the moment. All around them there were various couples dancing in their fable costumes.
He could see some laughing and others just swaying together. But in his mind, none could be as happy as he was at this very moment. She was in his arms once more, where 110
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she belonged. After a minute or so of silence he leaned forward and spoke softly into her ear, “Can I assume from your rush to be here on time that you have an answer for me?”
Cyn pulled back a bit until she was peering into his eyes. “Yes.” She smiled. “I want to live with you in your palace. I think it’s time to give Southern California an opportunity to try on a glass slipper.”
Parker’s heart swelled with love and happiness. “I couldn’t agree more.”
She gave a slight wry smile. “You do realize though, the press is going to have a field day with this. The Prince of Hollywood and the shop girl.”
He spun her out smiling in delight at the pure joy on her face. “They’re only going to say one thing about us.”
She laughed as he gathered her back into his arms. “What’s that?”
“And they lived happily ever after.”
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Epilogue
“If I didn’t know better I’d swear you were teary eyed.”
Miller shot MeShe—Shelton an unfriendly look. One of many he’d been sending the man since Shelton came up with the bright idea of the two of them joining Cyn on her little adventure. Now instead of cuddling up with a good book, he was stuck in Renaissance hell, with his former arch foe. His life was one step away from a cheesy sitcom. “I’m not going to cry.”
“Aww…it’s okay. You can let a tear slide. Hell, I don’t blame you. I’ve always been a sucker for a happy ending.”
“You really think they’re going to have a happy ending?”
“Of course they are. Look at them.” From where they stood on the balcony, Shelton pointed to Cyn and Parker slow dancing on the semi crowded ballroom floor. The party was apparently a rousing success. The ballroom was crowded with attendees and the two of them had escaped to the balcony to get a little air. “Have you ever seen a couple more in love?”
Miller watched the couple swing around on the dance floor with a smile on his face.
He had to admit Shelton was right. Cyn and Parker looked as if they were made for one another. The dress Shelton selected for her to wear tonight was the perfect complement to Parker’s royal garb. Tonight Cyn was definitely Parker’s Cinderella and he was truly her Prince Charming.
“Was that a sigh?” The amusement in Shelton’s voice wiped all traces of Miller’s smile away.
“No. I was just breathing heavy.”
“Sure you were.” Shelton snorted, his disbelief more than evident. “She looks just divine in that dress, doesn’t she? I, of course, look better in it. And out of it.”
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Miller was willing to bet he did, although he’d never admit it aloud. “She looks lovely.” Unwilling to let an opportunity to bust Shelton’s chops pass him by, he turned back and gave the man a once over. “I have to say that I’m surprised you didn’t pick one of the other dresses to wear yourself.”
Shelton cocked a brow. “Why would I wear a dress when you so obviously prefer me in pants? Besides…” Shelton ran his hands over his emerald velvet jacket, “…I look good no matter what.”
Once again, Miller found himself silently agreeing with Shelton. The emerald jacket with tiny gold beading and matching cape and pants looked spectacular on the dark skinned man. He looked every inch the regal monarch he was pretending to be, which made Miller once again question his own outfit, a royal blue tunic, black pants and knee length boots. “Who are we again?”
“I’m the prince, you’re the pauper.”
“Right, and explain to me why I have to be the pauper and you get to be the prince.”
“Some things don’t need explaining.”
“And you just so happen to have these costumes lying about.”
“I enjoy playing dress up, Miller. I’m surprised you haven’t noticed.”
Miller snorted in lieu of a reply, as he turned his attention back to the dancers. He stood next to Shelton in comfortable silence as he pondered over something the other man said. “Tell me something.”
“Okay.” Shelton responded without hesitation.
“Since when did you care what I prefer?” Despite the fact he was very interested in Shelton’s answer, Miller feigned indifference.
“Since when haven’t I?”
Miller was momentarily speechless in his surprise. No matter how much he might like to pretend differently, there was no way in the world he could deny his attraction to Shelton. Even when the other man pretended to be a she. Miller didn’t get it, he didn’t necessarily like it, but no matter what the over-exuberant man did, Miller couldn’t stop www.samhainpublishing.com 113
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