“More than I care to admit.”
“Then marry me. We’ll face whatever scandal comes, together.”
“But you already know how it will be. Honestly, how’s it been for you since the video went viral? That MP Fickle loves to bring it up every week.”
“Who cares about him? Let him fight his own battles. We will focus on our love, our lives, and making a difference through the House of Blue, strengthening a thousand-year reign. Even Jesus’s lineage had a prostitute.”
“If you’re trying to cheer me up—”
“I’m trying to get you to marry me.” He tugged her toward the stall. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
“John, darling, love, honey, babe, this is amazing.” Twinkle lights dangled from ceiling to floor. Stringed music spilled from two little speakers. The hay had been swept away and the floor covered with a deep purple rug embroidered with the queen’s cypher. C R I.
“Champagne and Angelo’s pizza.” He held out her chair.
“Like on our first date. Except without the champagne.”
But before she could be seated, he hooked her to himself and kissed her. “I think I knew the moment JoJo paired us together in the 4th of July race I wanted you in my life. I knew you were special, Gemstone. But I really knew the afternoon of the wedding dress shoot. Marry me?”
“But darling, love, honey, babe, there’s so much to work out. Imani’s doing well in school and—”
“I guess I have to lay out my entire plan. You’re a tough one to get a yes from, Gemma Stone. I bought this place.”
“What?”
“Your dad helped me track down Mr. Carpenter and I made an offer to the Kingstons. They accepted. This is our place now. I’ve set aside a remodel budget. Your parents have agreed to move their trailer here until we can get the house plans set. Cole Danner will be our contractor. We’ll live here, if you don’t mind, as much as possible while Imani’s in school. I can travel back and forth as needed. You can come with me and Imani will stay with your parents. And yes, she loves this plan. I already asked her permission to marry you.”
“And she said yes?”
“After several dozen questions, yes.”
Gemma laughed. “Sounds like her.”
“I won’t lie to you, Gemma. Life with me won’t be easy. It won’t be fair. But I promise you a loving husband, a loving home, and if you want, a loving father. I mean, I hope we have children. The queen is counting on an heir and—”
She couldn’t resist another moment. Raising up, she kissed him, her hands wound into the oxford threads of his princely O’Shay shirt, the scent of his skin like the field after a rain.
When she pulled away, he was breathless. “Can I take that as a yes?”
“I might be crazy but after what I’ve been through the past few years, but I love you, Prince John, darling, love, babe, honey.”
“Is that how it’s going to be? All my pet names because you love me so much?”
Gemma pressed her forehead to his chest. “I love you more than I knew. More than I thought I had a right.”
If Hollywood, Matt, Vegas, and a viral video maximizing her shame led her to this, she’d take the journey of a thousand bad decisions all over again. Okay, maybe not every bad detour but it was her life, her journey, in which all things worked together for good.
Even better, she had her very own princess angel. Finally, Adelaide made sense.
“What about your parents? The Family? The government of Lauchtenland?”
“The queen understands. She’s happy if I’m happy. Look, there is a lot to tell you. A lot to unpack, but it changes nothing about how I feel. About what I know is right. Are you willing to step out in courage with me?”
“You haven’t even asked me about the video. The show. What I was doing on that stage.”
“I’m curious, certainly, but in the end, whatever reasons you give me won’t change my feelings or my mind. I want you to marry me.”
“Then please, let me tell you. I can’t marry you otherwise.”
