Page 33 of Impossible Rapids
“Augustine.” Franz’s teal-blue eyes lit up. “You think they’d welcome me in Augustine? I could meet King Nolan and Queen Madeline.”
“Franz.” Julie shook her head at him. “You’re one of the most well-known and respected billionaires of our day. I can almost bet they’d be thrilled to host you for a week, and even Shawn couldn’t worry about your safety with General Raymond August and his military around.”
Shawn nodded to her. “They were extremely gracious to Mercedes and me, and they felt horrible that Quaid Raven had such a nightmare happen to him in their mountains with his and Anna’s show. I’m sure they’d be thrilled to meet Franz, have him stay, and work with our security to keep him safe.”
Extremely gracious to Mercedes and me. Her best friends had gone to Augustine and Magna without her. It wasn’t a slight or a surprise as Julie had been ultra-focused at that time on the reality show, stacked each week as they’d been for every episode but this one. It was a load of work. She had encouraged Shawn and Mercedes to go to those royal kingdoms without her, and they’d both assured her they’d return for a vacation with her soon. Julie shouldn’t have let her mind go to Shawn and Mercedes basically being on their honeymoon in the famous castle of Augustine. Would she ever go to either place with Shawn, or would he only be thinking of the fabulous Mercedes while he was there?
“Should I reach out?” Julie asked.
“Sure. Thank you.” Franz’s smile was as big as she’d seen it in months.
“Of course.”
The time difference wasn’t a factor, so she pinged Princess Jennifer, and before Hays had parked the car, Franz’s transportation, lodging in the castle, and itinerary were all set. Princess Jennifer was thrilled to help out.
“It’s a go,” she told Franz. “You should be able to spend a little time with a different royal each day.”
“What kind of superhuman are you?” Shawn studied her, appreciation in his blue eyes. He was the superhuman, better than Thor in her mind. “There’s no way you set up a week with the entire royal family of a small country in that time.”
“Transportation and accommodations too.” She looked away, her cheeks heating at his praise. “You’ll be staying in the Emerald Suite. It’s on the fourth floor, and the views are even better than what Mercedes had when she stayed there.”
Maybe she shouldn’t have added that last part. It wasn’t a jab to Shawn and Mercedes’s honeymoon.
“Thank you,” Shawn said before Franz could.
“Anything for …” She looked away quickly. “Franz.”
Shawn seemed more relaxed knowing Franz would be in a safe space and having an adventure. Franz usually just worked while Shawn and Mercedes went on the adventures. Julie had accompanied them on more vacations than Mercedes’s dad had.
They said their goodbyes to Franz and she found herself buckled next to Shawn in the jet. Nobody said much and before long, she noticed Hays had his chair completely reclined and looked to be asleep.
Shawn followed her gaze and then leaned close. His bergamot and citrus scent was familiar and still thrilling. “Thank you. Franz getting away was a brilliant idea. I can’t believe you arranged it that quickly.”
“It’s what I do.” She shrugged. “Mercedes’s voice in my head actually prompted it.”
He regarded her. “Do you hear her voice often?”
“Oh yeah. Too much time spent together, right? I just think of what she would say, but it feels like she’s with me.”
“I like that.”
“Do you hear her?”
“No.
“Do you miss her?”
He nodded, his blue eyes piercing. “She was my best friend, and we spent almost every minute together.”
Julie’s stomach tightened with jealousy.
“But I’m glad she’s not hurting anymore. She hid a lot of her pain.”
“I know.” Julie took a deep breath. “She was the best.”
“She was.” His gaze hadn’t left her face. “She saw the best in everyone.” He paused and looked reflective. “She saw the best in me.”
“You’re easy to see the best in,” she said before she could stop herself.