I evaluate him even though my processor is done…processing. His blue eyes are wide and pleading as he leans over the table towards me on his elbows. Blond hair frames the edges of his face, and I want to feel if it’s as silky as it looks. That’s a sensation I thoroughly enjoy.
He wants this, and maybe this is my ticket to shaking him.
“Okay. I’ll go. But I’m viewing this as an outing with a friend. Thank you for your honesty.”
The biggest smile overcomes his face as he steeples his hands under his chin. He looks… calculating? Mischievous?
“I’m ecstatic to hear that answer from you, Leilei. I’ll pick you up at five.” He grows solemn. “I know we are supposed to have this meal, and I don’t want to ask this question, but do you need some space to process everything alone?”
My heart stops. No one outside of my sister and Hadley has ever asked me that before… has neverseen the need.
“Yes, please. If you don’t mind. I would actually like that very much.”
He closes his eyes slowly and nods, inhaling softly before opening his eyes. “I figured as much. I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”
As he grabs his sandwich from the plate and walks away, I shout, “Thank you, Finley! See you tomorrow.”
He waves while wearing an expression that looks halfway despondent and halfway hopeful before turning on his heel and leaving. Two men in black suits follow at a distance, and I realize those must be his protection officers. Will they come with us tomorrow?
I’m going out on the town with a man I’ve known for two weeks. A man who wants to date me.I gulp.Marry me.
What have I gotten myself into? Why did I agree to this?
It’s not a date. It’s not a date. It’s not a date. Just an outing among friends.
My brain conjures all the reasons I should text him and say nevermind.He’s a prince. A crown prince. He will be king within a year. He wants to date me with intentions. He will move me to Korsa. He will take me away from my comfort.
And somewhere in the depths of the chaos and confusion of rivaling emotions and logic, a whisper.He sees you. He wants you for you. He is giving you space and time. He believes you are good for him. He validates your fears. He is willing to prove himself. He knows you well enough already to reel you in with books, history, and nature walks.
Lucy would have been putty in his hands had he said those words to her, but I’m not Lucy. I’m confused. I like him, but I can’t leave this place. I’m a rooted plant.He seems so good and so honest, but those headlines about the Prince of Hearts stir suspicion. He’s a flirt, and I’m not sure I completely understand the concept. He may love me, and I don’t know if I fully comprehend what it truly means to love someone in such a romantic capacity…
“Is everything okay, Lor?” Emma Jane waves a hand in front of my face, which is still turned towards the door Finley walked out of while biting his sandwich moments ago. He saw I needed space and time, and he gave it to me.
Is being comfortable enough to say yes to an evening with him in town a sign that I do like him? Or that I could? Or that I could possibly…
“Yes, EJ. I think so.” I fragilely smile at the waitress who is a couple of years younger than me. She called me Lucy when we first arrived, and I corrected her to Lorelei, and now she’s positively beaming at the idea I’m here as myself with Finley. I wonder… Would it be weird to ask her…?
“What do you think love truly is? And how do you know if you have the potential for it?”
I slap my hand over my mouth, blaming Finley and his desire for me to be honest for the fact that I’m asking Emma Jane such a question.
But to my surprise, she smiles and sits down where Finley once resided. “Oh, Lorelei! This is my favorite subject. You know I want to be a matchmaker, right?” And then she launches into a spiel on how loveissecurity and trust and safety, but she says it is also magic and connection and unknowns.
I leave forty-five minutes later with a lot of information to process, confusing emotions to sort through, completely people-d out, and…
And the tiniest seedling thought that maybe I should give Finley one date. Maybe I should state that tomorrow is a date.
After one real date with me, I’m sure he will change his mind and want to find someone more flirty, experienced, and fun. Then he goes on his merry way and I settle back into my routine.
No one’s hurt. I get a fun evening. (Yes, an actual fun evening filled with things I enjoy.) He gets to see firsthand how wrong I am for him.
A win-win.
Though my heart silently cries that if he does walk away from me, I might not feel like the winner.
Chapter Twelve
Lorelei
