Free Love and Learn (Voretti Family Book 2) by Ava Blackstone

her necklace, an ornate silver filigree pendant her mother had brought from Andera. “Anja said Anderan women have been getting bumped to the front of the line all week. Ever since that contingent of Anderan businessmen was first sighted here.”  
    The elevator doors opened onto a spacious room that looked like an old-fashioned apothecary shop. An old-fashioned apothecary shop owned by a multi-billionaire.
    Annabelle took a cautious step onto the mosaic-tiled floor. None of the people sipping fancy cocktails seemed to sense intruders in their midst, so she took another step, approaching the mahogany paneled bar, which was lined with hundreds of different taps.  
    Calli was still babbling about Anja’s blog, speculating about who the mysterious Anderan businessmen might be. She sounded slightly crazy, but much less drunk than she’d been twenty minutes ago.
    “You think some Anderan high roller saw your necklace from fifty feet away, in the dark, and told the bouncer to let you into the club?”
    “Either that, or he thought we were hot. I told you—you look amazing.”
    “This bar is filled with women who look amazing.”
    “And yet, that guy is still checking us out,” Calli said, smugly.
    Annabelle started to follow Calli’s gaze, but she got distracted half way there by the floor-to-ceiling window. She’d lived in San Diego her whole life, but she’d never seen the downtown skyline like this—peaceful and quiet and contained, everything so small that it couldn’t possibly hurt her. Up here, it actually seemed reasonable that she could take control of her love life.  
    She let out a slow breath. “Wow.”
    “I know. That, my friend, is the perfect rebound man.”
    “Oh!” Annabelle belatedly noticed the guy Calli was staring at.
    “It doesn’t get any hotter than that. Am I right?”
    “He’s so…blonde.”
    “What’s wrong with blonde?”
    “Nothing’s wrong with it. But I like guys with darker hair. Maybe a little bit of a five o’clock shadow and—” Crap —she was describing Ty.
    “No, don’t stop. If I know what you’re looking for, I can help you find him.”
    Good luck with that. He’s not here.
    Annabelle gave herself a mental shake for letting thoughts of Ty intrude on her evening. Again.
    “No,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what type of guys I’ve gone for in the past. I want to be open to new experiences. I’m sick of being trapped in the same rut.”
    “Then you should say hello to Mr. Blonde and Perfect.”  
    “Me? He’s staring at you.”
    “No. He’s definitely staring at you. Does he look familiar?”
    “Uh…” Annabelle glanced over. The guy was blonde, clean cut, and perfect, but he didn’t look like anyone she knew. Unless you counted a Disney prince. “No.”  
    Disney Prince stood, and his bodyguards sprang into action, flanking him.
    “Oh my God,” Calli squeaked. “I think that’s… No. No way! Anja didn’t say anything about him being here tonight.”
    “Who?”
    “It’s… He’s…”
    “Hello.” The man offered Calli his hand. “I am Prince Edward Wallace.”
    Oh crap. Had Annabelle called him a Disney prince out loud? But, no—he’d given his introduction with a totally straight face.  
    “I’m Callista Larson.” Calli stared at Disney Prince, her eyes wide, like he’d hypnotized her with his blinding white teeth and broad shoulders.
    For the love of God. Calli had a talent for attracting jerks, but some trust-fund loser who was so insecure he posed as a prince? Not on Annabelle’s watch.
    “I hope this isn’t too forward,” Disney Prince said, “but as soon as I saw you, I knew we must meet.”
    Annabelle raised her eyebrows halfway up her forehead, but Calli was too busy melting to notice. Maybe it was the Anderan accent—like English, but a touch more exotic.
    “No, it’s not too forward at all. It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you.”
      “And you. Callista is a beautiful name.” Disney Prince spent