Page 19 (1/2)

"Is she accoine so" He wasn’t sure if she had an suitable dress He’d quite forgotten about the ball He pictured her in a pale dress, as pale as those wild curlsand snapped his fingers "I think I have just the idea You’re a genius, Alex"

She laughed "I’ll have to add that to hness Alexandra Olivia the Third, Total Genius It has a nice ring to it"

Griffin sot back to the hotel, he spoke privately with the concierge for a few minutes, had an appoint rather proud of hihtful He even kept his surprise secret through breakfast the next , as Maylee chattered on about his schedule He had another fa, followed by a rehearsal of the wedding in which all of the royal family had to attend After that, there was a celebratory ball Bellissime’s oldest chapel was Sainte-Anne de la Vallée All of Bellissine, and it was a rather tiny affair As an apology for having a s, there was an enorh for the actual chapel could attend Thisnobles, diplomats, celebrities, and anyone else who could sneak their way in

Griffin was unlucky enough to be invited to both the wedding and ball, as a member of the royal family Maylee, however, ht, as she would be on call for the wedding, but not actually invited

Which hy his gift was perfect

Once he was done with breakfast, Griffin folded his newspaper and tucked it under his arm "Ready to start the day?"

"Ready," she said with a se tote bag she’d taken to carrying around--a ghastly touristy contraption that read BELLISSIME: LAND OF BEAUTY He didn’t criticize it, though Tih for that later

"We have a full day," Griffin told her as they left the table When they entered the otten so I’ll estured at the elevator "Do you want et it, Mr Griffin?"

He shook his head "Under control"

Mystified, she headed out of the hotel and he turned and headed to the concierge’s desk to e was all sne Verdi wasa hair appointment for his assistant

Five minutes later, Griffin made his way out to the sedanand frowned

Maylee was leaning against the car door, laughing and s as the driver, Robbie, hovered close nearby and flirted with her It was clear that theby the possessive way he regarded Maylee

And it pissed off Griffin He store’s office "I want a new driver by this afternoon," he informed her

"Oh, I’m not really sure if that falls under an

He cut her off with a wave of his hand "Just get it done for htened his jacket and headed back out to the car He scowled at Robbie and gestured for Maylee to enter the car He scowled again when Robbie winked at Maylee and opened the door for her, and she thanked hiiven to hie into the man’s hand "Take us here first"

"Very well, my lord," the driver said

Inside the car, Maylee opened up the laptop and began to go through his eot shuffled to three," she told his around to ensure that we can pick up your tuxedo froht"

"And do you have a gown?" he asked

She bit her lip "Well, Mr Griffin, I do, but it’s far too fancy and expensive I was going to suggest you return it"

"Nonsense," he said "It was purchased with the anticipation of the ball in mind You’re required to attend while you’re in ed

"Trusttonight You’ll belong just fine"

She winced

Oh, hell That wasn’t exactly what he’d meant "Don’t worry about it," he added brusquely "You’re there to work, regardless of who attends"

"Yes, sir"

"And you should be properly attired"

"Yes, sir"

Griffin sighed and glanced up at the driver He wanted to knock on the glass partition that separated the front of the sedan from the back, but that wouldsoon, didn’t they? The concierge had assured him that the salon was no more than a few blocks away He stared out at the streets, covered with Bellissi of their royal princess People walked the streets, taking pictures of the decorations, and it see

They pulled up to a busy sidewalk and the driver parked the car, then exited to open the door Maylee glanced up from her laptop, peered at the location, and frowned "I think we’re at the wrong place"

"We are not," Griffin assured her "I asked to come here"

Her pale eyebrows rose "Why?"

"It’s a surprise for you" He kept the s expression off his face He wanted to see her reaction See that sunny sess to pick you up in a few hours," he said as the driver came to her side of the car and not his

"Pick me up?" She looked even more confused "ButI don’t understand Why? What are we doing here?"

Griffin adjusted his cuffs, pleased with hied to have a makeover for you They’ll do your hair and ain "Oh"

He pursed his lips She didn’t look very pleased Perhaps she didn’t understand "It’s so you can have an appropriate hairstyle for the ball and look like the other ladies"

"I understand," she said flatly

Well, this wasn’t going how he’d anticipated "You’re welcome," he snapped

"Thank you," she said in just as nasty a voice Then, she got out of the car and sla to the very expensive salon that he’d booked for her