“Only the entire plane ride over.”Ella.
“If I see Prince Gus at his brother’s wedding, I’m going to pounce.”
Daffy sat up and squinted through the sunlight at Leslie Ann. “You will not. Leave him alone. He’s been through enough.”
“Leave him alone? Are you kidding me? He’s the story everyone wants—if he even shows up for his brother’s wedding. Which would be a whole other scandal. But we need to know, Daff. Why did the American heiress abandon him at the altar? No one knows. Not really. She gave some flimsy interview withGood Morning New York. They let her off easy.”
“Focus on Prince John and Lady Holland, Les.” Daffy dug through her Melbourne Beach tote she bought at a souvenir shop they’d passed in the airport. “Or the queen. Her silver jubilee is coming up. Do a retrospective on her life.” Daffy set the bag and her towel aside. “I’m going inside for my sunglasses. Anyone want anything?”
“Grapes.” Ella.
“Crisps.” This from Leslie Ann. “And water.”
Grapes, crisps, and water. Daffy started for the cottage’s deck. “Ella, put on sunscreen. Your white legs are starting to beam.”
“Thanks,Mum, but I’m fine.”
Daffy approached the back of the blue cottage which was pinned between the beach and highway A1A.
All this talk of Prince Gus raised old thoughts, old feelings, distant dreams. She absolutely had wanted to marry the prince when she was a girl. Because of their friendship, she believed she would one day.
But not all dreams come true. They weren’t supposed to, she’d decided. Besides, she had an amazing life. A new downtown Port Fressa flat. An advanced university degree. A good position with the Royal Trust, which was a dream opportunity. A handsome, marriageable boyfriend. Yes, she’d done well for herself.
Still… Was this it? Was this all she’d hoped for her life? Was this how she’d make her little mark in this world?
When she asked these questions,hedefinitely came to mind, but seriously, Prince Gus was way out of her league and had been out of her life for years.
Inside the cottage, she searched for the sunglasses, then gathered the requested snacks for the beach.
As she headed back out, balancing the food items in her arms, she slipped on her shades and reversed her thoughts of Prince Gus. He was not her future. Thomas was her future. Or so it seemed anyway. They’d been together for a year and he was a solid match. Kind, loyal, successful, and very good looking.
They’d developed a good routine. Friday nights at the pub with their mates. Saturday night dinner and a movie at her place. Sunday afternoons they visited his family for lunch and hers for dinner. Then it was back to the weekly grind where they met for lunch on Tuesdays and shared a virtual dinner on Wednesdays.
Thomas had taught Daffy how to invest and save. He’d be disappointed to learn she’d blown what little she’d put by on this trip, so no need to tell him.
And to her recollection, he’d whispered “I love you” at least once the past year during a particularly romantic evening.
Did she want Thomas to be her future?
As she reached the edge of the deck, Daffy remembered her phone was on the charger and ran back to retrieve it. She’d missed a call from Mum and a text from Thomas.
Miss you. Send photos.
She’d save Mum’s voice message for later. She was on holiday and didn’t want to think about work. If it was family related, she’d text or call Ella too.
Heading back out, Daffy spied the barbecue. Ooo, they could grill out. Maybe tonight.
Stepping off the deck, she raised her voice. “Hey, Ella, Leslie Ann, why don’t we—”
Something hard and fast thwacked her on the side of her head. “Hey!” She jerked sideways as her sunglasses, the grapes and crisps, a lime-green Frisbee, and a golden retriever landed at her feet.
Rubbing the side of her head, she stooped for her glasses and addressed the panting dog. “You throw a mean Frisbee, pup.”
“Adler, good girl. Come.” The man’s American accent enchanted Daffy as he jogged over the sand. “Sorry about that.”
Blimey.He was something to behold. Shirtless, tan, and wrapped in taut abs, his arm muscles evident as he jogged slowly toward her.
“Are you all right? Again, my apologies.” He bent for the Frisbee. “The wind caught the darn thing at just the right moment.”
