My breath hitches at the word “our.” These days it doesn’t feel like we share anything except for bad karma.
“When we were in Europe, I never thought of you as ‘the prince.’”
He laughs sharply. “I remember.”
“All I have from that time is one Polaroid and a week’s worth of memories.” My hand goes instinctively to the ring hanging under my shirt. “I was worried that meeting ‘the king of England’ on aroyal tourfull of pomp and circumstance would make those memories feel less real, somehow. I didn’t want to lose the guy I thought I knew.”
“No need for the air quotes. Iamthe king, unfortunately.”
I shrug. “I’ll believe it when I see the crown.”
He laughs again, his blue eyes flickering to life. I take my first easy breath in at least three minutes.
“What’s the verdict, Wheeler? Am I the guy you thought I was?”
He isnow,but this isn’t real life. “The jury’s still out.”
He nods slowly, his eyes locked on mine. “I wasn’t searching for a phone.”
Tears well in my eyes. A secret for a secret. We’ve played this game before. “What were you hoping to find?” I ask.
“Victoria’s insulin. She never travels without it, and if she goes more than a couple of days between doses, she’ll be in serious danger.” His mouth twists with suppressed emotion, but his eyes scream for help.
My chest tightens. “I had no idea.”
“She’ll never admit when she’s not feeling well, and I’m scared shitless for her.”
“It’s only been a few hours,” I tell him, and hope it’s true.
His throat bobs. “It’s hard not to worry.”
I push myself to my feet and pick up his shoes. “I’ll find herand make sure she’s okay, and I’ll bring someone back to help you up.”
“No,” Theo says quickly. “I don’t want to stay here alone.”
I look around, confused about what he’s suggesting. “I can try to pull you up again.”
“No. You walk along the shore, and I’ll swim next to you.”
“It’s too far,” I argue. “You’ll be safer here.”
“Nah. I’ll drive myself crazy if I’m stuck alone with my thoughts that long. I’m swimming.”
“What if you get tired?” I call after him as he dives into the water. He backstrokes a few paces until I’m jogging to keep up with him.
“I guess you’ll have to jump in and save me,” he yells back. And it might be a trick of the sunlight, but I swear he winks.
It doesn’t take long before Theo’s request is put to the test.
“I’m tired!” he pants.
“You’re doing a great chicken-star-rocket!” I yell back. The water looks cold, and I don’t want to be cold.
A wave crashes over his face while he’s in chicken position. “A what now?” he sputters when he can breathe again.
“Chicken, star, rocket.” I mime the positions for him.
“Is that an American thing or a Wren thing?”
