The Princess Problem by Diane Darcy

start having fun again.
    “Right?” insisted Katie.
    Alicia blew out a breath. “You’re right. I’ll give it a shot. It may not even last through the week, and if so, no biggie, right?”
    “Right. But before you do, maybe we should look up Mrs. K and get a refresher course on the birds and the bees. Apparently I still have some questions, and since I’m the one who explained it to you, we might both be in trouble.”
    They were still laughing when they hung up the phone.
     
    * * *
     
    The next afternoon, Jonas showed up at the mattress store, hoping to catch Alicia finishing up for the day. As he approached the set, he could see she wore the princess dress again, and was in full makeup, hair done, looking great. They were still busy so he hid the vase he held behind a display. He didn’t want to stand there looking like an idiot with a flower in hand.
    When he moved to stand beside one of his employees, Alicia glanced at him, but then her gaze skittered away. He hoped that wasn’t a bad thing. Maybe she was just feeling a little shy after their kisses last night. He knew he hadn’t been able to get them out of his head.
    “Okay, Skyler,” Alicia said. “Pull one of the golf clubs out of the bag and look at it like you’re considering something, thinking really hard, then glance at the bed and smile, like you’ve come to a conclusion.”
    A guy dressed as a prince stepped forward and Jonas noticed him for the first time. Tanned, a little on the short side, with overlong, thick blond hair that swept back from his handsome face. When he grabbed hold of the golf bag and smiled at Alicia, Jonas noticed piercing green eyes–probably contacts–and straight white teeth. Jonas didn’t like the admiring gaze the guy fastened on Alicia.
    The guy, Skyler, said, “Are you sure I have to do this alone? I like it better when you’re in the shot with me. You make me look good.”
    Jonas crossed his arms and glared at Skyler. What kind of name was Skyler, anyway? The guy strutted across the makeshift set like he was God’s gift to women and Jonas didn’t like it. If the little man didn’t want those pretty teeth rammed down his throat, he’d better stop flirting with Alicia.
    Skyler flipped his cape over one shoulder and struck a pose. “Are you busy tonight? Maybe we should go to dinner dressed like this. We’d get the royal treatment.”
    “Skyler?” Alicia said. “The golf clubs?”
    The guy finally did as Alicia asked and slid a club out of the golf bag. He swung it once, no doubt posing for the ladies. “Nice clubs. Do you golf, Alicia? Maybe we should go sometime? You could teach me.”
    “I need you to focus, Skyler.”
    Skyler winked at Alicia. “With a pretty girl like you around? How am I supposed to do that?”
    Jonas sighed loudly. “I suggest you force yourself.”
    Skyler turned and gave Jonas a long stare. “And you are?”
    Jonas narrowed his eyes. “The owner of this store. The one paying your check. The one who could make sure you never work in this town again.”
    “Oh.” Skyler grinned. “Right, mate.” He glanced at Alicia. “Didn’t know I was stepping on any toes.
    Alicia glanced at Jonas, her expression uncertain. “Okay, Skyler, shove the club under the mattress, then slide out the next club.”
     

    * * *
     
    About twenty minutes later, Alicia decided they were done. “Okay everyone, that’s a wrap. Thanks for all your hard work.” Mike and Willa headed for the computer to see the last shots, the makeup artist started packing her things, and Skyler, after a glance in Jonas’s direction, headed for the restrooms to change.
    Alicia headed for Jonas. “Hi.”
    “Hi. I thought I’d come out and see how it was going.”
    Alicia looked around. “We’ve actually finished the last of it. The rest of the work will be done back at our firm. Um...” she waved a hand. “About Skyler--”
    Jonas shook his head. “Don’t worry about him.” He motioned toward her. “You