But it’s tainted now. Tainted by Mum forcing rings upon me. Pushing our dates up. Zara and I are doing so well, and I hate to think what she’s going to think of all this.
Zara is pacing in front of the car when I find her. “Ready to go?”
“Yes.” She wastes no time getting in. If I was bombarded with ring options, I can only imagine what her day was like.
“Want to talk about it?” I put the car in gear, wanting to put as much distance between the palace and us as possible.
“Did you know there is such a thing as an offensive flower?”
Christ. Her day was just as bad as mine. “I’m assuming you know all about it?”
She turns, her face not showing any of the usual emotion I’ve come to find from her. “Yes. And I know all about the different kinds of cakes and what is appropriate for a royal wedding.”
“Bloody hell. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Oh, it’s happening. The flowers and cake Thea chose for our big day will be wonderful.” Her tone is caustic. “’Zara, please choose which flowers you’d like, but oh, not that one because it might offend some people. And chocolate cake might stain your dress. We can’t have that.’” She mimics this Thea person she’s talking about.
“I can’t believe she did this.”
I go to grab Zara’s hand, but she pulls it away from me. “Can you just take me home? I’m just overwhelmed right now and need to be alone.”
I don’t want her closing herself off, but given my own mood, I can’t blame her. It just hurts more than it should. What started as a nice afternoon with Zara has turned into a nightmare. I can only hope this wedge between us goes away. Because whether we like it or not, this wedding is happening. And possibly sooner than we both had hoped.
Chapter Seventeen
Zara
“Are you sure I’m dressed appropriately for this?” Looking down at my stylish blazer, jeans, and wedge heels, I’m not so sure I’m going to fit in. After the week James and I had, it’s nice to be out in a neutral environment. Neither one of us wanted to talk about being bombarded with the wedding at the palace, but it’s been a cloud hanging over us. The pressure facing both of us at our pending nuptials isn’t something we want to think about.
“Are you planning on trying out for the team?” James’s heated stare moves up and down my body. “I’d give you the captain’s position without question.”
I smack his hard chest. “Of course you would.”
James pulls me into his side before we walk out of the tunnel. “You look sexy as sin. Trust me, today it’s all about George and his family meeting the team. They won’t even know we’re here.”
“And he just thinks he’s getting a tour of the stadium?” James told me all about the sweet boy he met touring the hospital. Seeing how happy he was to make this happen caused my heart to flutter.
“Yes. He has no idea he’s meeting the team and will get to go to the match tonight.”
I pull James to a stop, tucked away in the darkness of the tunnel. “He is going to lose his mind.” Wrapping my arms around James’s neck, I drop a sweet kiss on his lips.
“Maybe I can make you lose your mind tonight.” His breath ghosts over my lips. Rolling my lips between my teeth, I stifle the moan that wants to escape.
“One thing at a time.” Patting his chest, I walk towards the growing voices.
“This place is brilliant!” The excited voice of a young boy floats towards us.
“Do we get to go out onto the pitch?”
“C’mon, love. Let’s go give him the surprise of his life.” James grabs my hands and drags me away from the dark cove we were hidden away in.
“Mr. and Mrs. Smythson. George. Victoria. I’m so happy you all could join us today.” James shakes hands with the parents before getting down on George’s level. A bright blue cast hugs his leg in the wheelchair. “Are you excited today?” George is wearing his best Chelsea jersey and hat. I’ve never seen a brighter smile on anyone in my life.
“I can’t wait to see where they play! I just wish I didn’t have to be in this wheelchair,” his voice squeaks out.
“It’s easier for you to get around, love. You’ll still get to see everything.” His mum pats him on the shoulder.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s go!” James grabs the chair and wheels him down the tunnel.
