Free Who Made You a Princess? by Shelley Adina

security said it was for us.”
    The manager nodded toward the BGs, who were both frowning. “I’m sorry. The gentleman is mistaken. We are unable to serve you
     today.”
    “Yeah, I heard you the first time,” Brett said. “What I want to know is, why?”
    “I’m not at liberty to say.”
    “Who’s the other party?” Carly asked suddenly. “At that table, I mean.”
    The manager looked relieved, as if here was a question he had an answer to. “That table is reserved for the Talbot party,
     miss.”
    “Talbot,” I repeated. “As in, Vanessa?”
    “Yes, miss. Now, may I ask you to leave?”
    “You may not.” The BGs’ frowns were nothing to the one Rashid was sporting. “My party cannot be turned away. It is impossible.”
    “I apologize, Your Highness.” The manager actually half bowed. “I deeply regret our inability to serve you. I hope you will
     enjoy yourselves very much at another establishment.”
    “I don’t believe this,” Brett breathed.
    I gripped the prince’s arm and tugged. “Come on. We’re out of here. I’m not going to give Vanessa Talbot the satisfaction
     of seeing pictures of us getting kicked out. Who’s for Lori’s Diner?”
    “Me!” Carly said with a bright smile. “I’d kill for one of her burgers.”
    Rashid looked as though he was about to declare World War III. “I am not leaving. I wish to speak to the owner.”
    I looked him in the eye. “We’ve been set up, Rashid. Vanessa did this to embarrass us. To embarrass you. She probably called
     the tabs and told them to be here, too.”
    Carly stepped closer, eyes snapping. “We’re going to act as if we just came for a soda, and we’re going to climb into that
     limo looking like we’re having the time of our lives. Total jealousy-making pictures will result. She’s not going to win this
     one.” She glanced at the manager, and the snap in her eyes turned to withering scorn. “Everyone knows they serve alcohol to
     minors here because of her, anyway.”
    Before Brett and Rashid could say another word, the BGs flung the doors open. I pulled Rashid out beside me and pasted on
     an “I’m living the high life and don’t you hate me for it?” smile. We trooped out onto the sidewalk, laughing and talking
     while the flashes popped and somebody gabbled descriptions of our dresses into a handheld recorder.
    When the doors shut behind us and the limo pulled out into traffic, I drew a deep breath and sank back onto the leather cushions.
     “And the Oscar goes to…”
    “I have never been so humiliated in my life.” Rashid’s tone held deadly calm. The kind that comes before the storm. “If it
     had not been for you, I would have ordered the owner to explain himself to me—and then serve me himself. On his knees.”
    “It’s not their fault, Rashid. Vanessa obviously has some serious clout there. This might be your only visit, but she’s there
     constantly. They’d probably go out of business without her.”
    Rashid turned to Carly. “What was that you said back there? About alcohol?”
    She shrugged and glanced at Brett, then back at Rashid. “They serve alcohol to minors. I’ve been there when they’ve done it.
     That’s why Vanessa always has her meetings and things in the upstairs room. So no one sees.”
    His eyes narrowed. “So this is illegal, then?”
    “Very much so.”
    “Ah.” He sat back and didn’t say another word until we arrived at the diner.
    We may have been insanely overdressed for it, but in San Francisco, a woman—or a man—can go to McDonald’s in sequins and a
     feather boa and no one looks twice. The BGs requested a separate table and settled in with glasses of iced tea a few seats
     away. We ordered up our burgers and when they came, I felt relieved when Rashid made no moves at all on my ketchup.
    In fact, he behaved like a normal guy—if normal means perfect manners and interesting conversation. Okay, so he’s messing
     up the bell curve. I still appreciated it,