That’s the problem, Prince of Hearts. Mamma’s livid.
Why did you tell her I was out with someone?
Astrid sends a picture of Lucy and me sitting at this table. Thankfully, Lucy’s back is to the camera.
The photo isn’t in the news yet. But it was sent directly to Mamma’s business phone.
Who sent the photo?
We don’t know, but be careful, Fins. Johan and I are trying to track down the source, but Mamma is too busy freaking out that you’re with a woman that’s not Karin.
Blood boils beneath my skin, and I stand abruptly and exit the private room, scanning the open floor for anyone suspicious looking. I eye my two PPOs, Gabriel and Anders, sitting in a booth across the restaurant. They begin to stand, but I toss my hand up to stop them, then I forward them the texts from Astrid. They text me back saying they will scan the perimeter, but then they also reminded me there isn’t anything they can do regarding paparazzi shots.
How many people are obsessed with me and my love life, anyway? Every time I move to a new place, all my dates are photographed and end up making waves and forcing me to move again. It’s won me various headlines labeling me the Prince of Hearts. Yes, I’ve dated plenty over the past two years, but I refuse to settle for a woman I don’t love.For now,my brain solemnly reminds me.Because now there is a deadline.
At least this one hasn’t made the news yet. I would like a little more time to see if I could fall in love with Lucy. I trust Hadley, and I trust her judgment to recommend Lucy to me. Though Hadley is clueless as to why I truly need Lucy. Some cards have to remain close to one’s chest.
I continue to sweep the room, but I see no one misplaced or anything out of the ordinary. I do, however, see Lucy walking my way, so I lean against the wall and wait for her.
“Waiting for me? How sweet,” she coos awkwardly.
“Checking to make sure you did not get lost.” The moment the words leave my mouth, I hear it. Literally anything else would have been more appropriate to say…
And she lets me know.
“I’m perfectly capable of remembering the path from this room to the facilities, thank you very much.” She huffs and stalks past me into the room.
Way to go, again, Fins.
I follow after her. Moments later, Lucy is back in her seat across from me. I smile as if nothing happened while she pegs me with a rightfully-earned scowl.
But deep down, I’m planning the phone call I will have with Mamma later. One, I have been perfectly clear that I willnotmarry Her Royal Highness Karin Nilsson of Vespen, our neighboring country. Two, Father, and Mamma by proxy, allowed me these three extra months to search for a love match. I need to remind her of that. Three, we have someone to track down, and it must be someone that we all know for the picture to have been sent directly to Mamma’s business phone.
An insider stalker.Fantastic.
I take a sip of wine and apologize to Lucy for implying she couldn’t find our table on her own, hoping my smile conveys my sincerity. She’s independent, and that would serve her well in the palace.
She nods with acceptance but frowns. “Is everything okay? You seem distressed.”
How is she seeing right through me? I have a poker-face, and I manage it well. “Yeah, everything is fine. My sister texted with news from home, that’s all.”
Lucy begins to speak, but then clamps her mouth shut before taking a deep breath and beginning again. “Oh, you have a sister? What’s her name?”
I hesitate. If I give her too much information regarding my personal life, she’ll easily be able to identify me as the Prince of Korsa, and if I can have it my way, I’d like her to stay far away from that search. I need the opportunity to tell her who I am instead of her finding out on the internet. She’d run far, far away if she learned of my dating past.
Lucy stares expectantly at me, waiting for an answer. I guess I can tell her my sister’s name. Plenty of girls have that name in Korsa. And if she ends up searching me online, I pray she’ll give me the chance to explain myself.
“Astrid,” I finally reply. “Mamma is worried about me. I haven’t called her since I arrived back in town a week ago.” Half-truths for the win.
Lucy’s eyebrows pinch. “You should call your mama. Treat her well.”
I snort a laugh, thinking about how my conversation with my mamma will go later tonight…
“What’s so funny?” she asks, but the waitress appears with our food and her attention shifts fully to the young woman. I’m stunned at the way Lucy makes the waitress feel seen, like she isn’t a backdrop in a scene. The entire time Lucy is focused on her, I am making heart eyes at Lucy. She’s intentional, another quality that would bode well in Korsa.
Even with the mishaps that have happened, I’m intrigued by this woman. I’ve been trained to read people well, and I’ve already gathered that Lucy is intelligent, straight-forward, logical, and kind, if only a tad bit awkward and weird when she tries to act like, well… clueless. Would that be the right word?
Then it dawns on me. Is she trying to diminish her intelligence because she thinks that would be more attractive to me…?
