Page 56 of The Wrong Royal
“I did,” I said, smiling. “What about you? What did you guys do today?”
She burst into a bright smile. “We had a picnic in the garden.”
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
“I did, but now you’re changing the subject,” she said. “How was your day with Theo? Did you see any whales?”
“Of course. He was very excited. He’s never seen them. He really had a good time.”
Astrid perched herself on the arm of the couch and gave me a knowing look. “And what about you? Did you have a good time with him?”
I hesitated, unsure of whether I should tell Astrid about the tension between Theo and me. But then again, Astrid had always been the one person I could confide in. It wasn’t like she didn’t know what I was dealing with.
“It was complicated,” I said at last. “Theo and I have this connection. I can’t explain it.”
“I know.”
“You said that with a hint of condescension.”
She shook her head. “Not at all.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“You know I love you,” she said.
I groaned and walked to the kitchen. “I’m going to need a drink for this lecture.”
“I’m not lecturing you,” she said, following behind me. “I’m worried about you.”
“You don’t need to be worried about me. I’m fine.”
“You have been running full speed since your parents told you about the new arrangement. I know you’re throwing yourself into this thing so you don’t have to think. Or feel.”
“If I stop to think, then it’s going to crash over me. I just need to get through the next few months. It’s not like Theo is a bad guy. I know we’ll get along okay.”
“Jack said Theo is a romantic. He’s the kind of guy that buys a girl flowers. He actually likes romantic walks on the beach. If you let him, he will actually treat you like a queen. Imagine candlelight dinners and dancing to no music under the moonlight. A man that holds your hand and kisses your cheek just because.”
“I know what you’re doing, but it can’t work like that. You know me. I don’t get mushy. I’m not a romantic person. I was so ready to break free and spread my wings. I know it’s terrible, but I was so looking forward to the day Nora got married because that meant she fulfilled the family duty. I was supposed to be totally forgotten and allowed to live free. Now, I have this burden and I will never be free to live my life the way I thought I was going to.”
25
THEO
The next morning, I woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. I knew I was probably going to regret beating my head against the same wall over and over, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. I was a glutton for punishment. I wouldn’t keep trying if I didn’t see something in her that gave me hope. She was a tough nut to crack, but I was persistent. Maybe I had a hero complex, but I felt like I had the chance to save her from the life she seemed determined to live.
“Are you ready?” Jack asked from the bedroom door.
“I am. Another city, another chance to convince Emilie I’m not the ball and chain she’s determined to make me into.”
Astrid and Emilie were just walking out when Jack tossed our things into the back of the car. Emilie’s blonde hair was done in a pretty braid. When she saw me, she broke into a big smile. “Good morning,” she greeted.
“Good morning,” I said, nodding. “You look beautiful this morning.”
Jack and Astrid smiled at each other but said nothing. It was ridiculous they were trying to act like there was nothing between them.
It was a quick trip to the airstrip. It was a little suffocating to travel with security all the time, but it was part of her life, which meant it would be my life if I married her.
As Emilie and I boarded the jet, I felt like something was different. Emilie took my hand and led me to the table at the front. I sat across from her and tried to figure out exactly what had changed. Emilie and I talked and laughed the whole way, our connection growing stronger with each passing moment. It was as if the barriers that had once separated us had crumbled and we were free to be ourselves.