I huff out a laugh. “Thank God for that!”
She pinches my side. “I didn’t ask for your cheek, darling. Why did you push her away?”
Why did I push her away?“Because I was scared. I was scared she was going to run and be just like everyone else who used me for my title.”
“That’s a load of crap and you know it. Anyone who saw the two of you together knows how in love you were.” Ellie smacks me on the arm.
I rub my hands down my face. My beard is getting scraggly. I haven’t left the house since Zara walked out on me. I didn’t want the paparazzi to get a shot of the haggard-looking prince.
I shift my gaze to Mum. “I was trying. I was really trying to be better.” My voice breaks.
“Oh darling.” Mum walks over, crouching down to face me. “You don’t have to be better. You just have to be you.”
“Isn’t being me what got us into this mess to start with?”
Her hand is warm on my cheek. “No. You had it in you this whole time. You just needed someone to see it in you.”
Zara was that person. She saw me for me. I wasn’t just someone with a title to sleep with. I wasn’t just a prince to her. I was just James. Why couldn’t I see that?
“How am I going to get her back?”
“Well for starters, you might want to shower and shave.” Grandmum tugs at my beard. “No offence, but the beard isn’t a great look for you.”
I laugh. “Thanks, Grandmum.”
“I’m not going to make it easy for you.” She lifts me off her lap, my eyes tearing up at some of the most important people in my life surrounding me at one of my lowest moments.
“Have you thought about what you want to do with your charity?” Mum starts cleaning up the empty bottles from the table.
“I have a general idea of what I want to do. Why?”
Mum shifts her gaze to Ellie. “Has he always been this clueless?”
Ellie laughs, shaking her head at me. “Of course. He’s a man.” Her hand is mindlessly rubbing her baby bump.
“I really hope you have a girl,” I tease.
“James. Move up the kick-off of the event. Don’t let the press beat you down. Instead of rebounding by going to the clubs—”
I cut her off. “I haven’t been to the clubs in ages. It’s never even crossed my mind.”
“Aww, my baby brother is finally growing up after twenty-nine years.”
“Piss off,” I say on a laugh. I give her a weak smile.
“You may be down, but you’re not out. Counter this scandal with starting your charity. People will see the good in you, and it’ll become this wonderful thing.”
I pull Ellie in for a hug. I’ve clearly had too much to drink, because I’m more emotional than I usually am. “You’re going to make a great mum, Ellie.”
Her eyes are wet when she pulls back. “Okay. Plan of attack. Throw a huge gala and invite Zara.”
“Just need to plan a whole gala in only a few weeks?”
“Oh, however will you manage?” Mum comes back into the room. “Whatever you need, whoever you need to help you, they are at your disposal. Perks of the crown.” She smirks at me.
“I better get started then.”
“Fab. Do you have a name for this new charity you are starting?” Ellie asks.
