The Prince (Fairy Tale Second Chances, #3) / Fairy Tale Second Chances (ePub)

My daughter is everything to me. Too bad I chose a scumbag of a father for her . . . one who won't let me go. It's not because he loves me; that man doesn't love anything but himself. Except money. Now that I'm the star of the hit television obstacle show, Warrior Team, I finally have money to spare, so I pay to keep him away, along with his creepy friends. The kind of men I'd never allow near my Mia.

It was fun while it lasted. I came to the US to escape the tragic loss of my sister but I found so much more. A career in the NFL, a starring role on Warrior Team, and life-long friendships. It was a good time, but now I have to grow up. It's time to take back the role I was born for. Prince.

But then the money is gone. As quickly as my star rose, it fell, leaving me with no way to pay my ex or protect my child. I'm the first woman to defeat the nearly impossible obstacle course on Warrior Team, so I can take on my idiot ex, no problem. But if he came at me with the law, I don't know if I could keep full custody of Mia. And I can't allow her to spend even a single minute with just her father. So I need a solution . . . fast.

My mother, the queen, is thrilled I'm returning just in time for my brother's wedding. But then she starts talking about wedding dates and eligible daughters and I realize I've stepped in it. The last thing I want is to be paraded in front of princess wannabes and title-scheming mothers. But I already told my mom I'm coming home, so I can't back out now. Instead, I make the only rational move left . . . I pretend an engagement. To the only woman I trust: Callie.

I can take care of my own problems. I always have. But when Channing points out that our fake engagement would be mutually beneficial, I'm listening. I have no idea why he chose me out of all the women in his world, but he seems to need me. And I have to admit it would be really nice to have a prince in shining armor for once. Plus, he treats Mia like a princess, and what mom could resist that? So I'm whisked away in a private jet to a real-life castle, with a maid to wait on me hand and foot. Who knew helping out a friend could come with so many benefits?

I made the right decision. Not only is Callie a woman of her word, loyally keeping the secret of our fake engagement, but she's feisty. Probably the only woman who could stand up to the queen and the world I've known my whole life. In fact, Callie and her sweet Mia seem to fit right in and I can't help thinking . . .

It's all fun and games. Until it isn't. One second I'm trying to dunk Channing in the pond and the next I'm flooded with a new sensation as I stare into his eyes, the sensation of his bare, corded chest under my hands. After that I can't go back to being just friends. I almost kissed him. And if I hadn't turned away, I'm almost sure he would have kissed me. But I can't let my feelings get involved, because when the ball gowns and fake engagement ring are stripped away it's just me. A single mom, running from my kid's deadbeat dad, barely keeping my head above the water. I'm definitely not princess material, so I'll step away as soon as the wedding is over. Because I can save myself and Mia. I don't need a prince.

The problem is, even if I don't need him, I can't help wanting a prince. Wanting Channing. But a happily ever after for me and the prince is as make believe as our royal fake engagement, right?

This book was previously published under the title A Royal (Fake) Engagement.