My eyes shoot up to hers. “He named it?” My heart falls to my feet. He was so excited about this idea. It was his passion project. And I wasn’t there for this. “But Sporting Kids? Really?”
Ellie turns her nose up. “Definitely not his best work, but he’s not functioning properly.”
“Is anyone going to be there for him?” It’s not my place anymore, but my mind goes to supporting him. Even if we’re not together anymore.
“You are. I don’t go to any events where the press is, and it’s you he wants by his side.”
Tears blur my vision. “He really wants me there?”
Ellie stands, moving to sit next to me. Taking my hands in hers, she brings them to her lap. “He didn’t explicitly say it, but I can tell. It’s a twin thing.”
I give her a sad smile. “Will he even take me back?”
Her grip is firm as I look into her clear, blue eyes. “Show him he’s worth it. Every person up until this point in his life has only wanted to be with him because he’s the prince. You didn’t stay. He thinks that he’s not worth it.”
I shoot up out of her grasp. “But he is! He’s the most wonderful person I’ve ever met in my life, and I can’t imagine not being with him. He’s never been the ‘playboy prince’ to me. He’s James, the soft, caring man who will be the best King this nation has ever seen.”
Ellie’s face is warm as she looks up at me. “And you’ll be the perfect Queen by his side.”
“Am I able to attend the event for his charity?” There’s no way I can miss this.
Ellie pulls a card from her bag. “Here’s all the details. I’ve talked to Charlotte, and she’ll send someone over to help you out with a dress and your hair this week. A car will pick you up, so you don’t have to worry about getting there.”
“I appreciate all that, but I think I can take care of my dress and hair.”
And I have just the outfit that will hopefully bring James to his knees. And hopefully bring us back together.
Chapter Twenty-Four
James
There are hundreds of people in this room, and I’ve never felt more alone. Sure, a few friends are lingering here and there, but there’s no one at my side.
The dull ache in my heart roars to full strength. Tonight will be a good night. The official start of Sporting Kids. My very first, and my very own, charity. And the one person I want by my side isn’t here.
“Things seem to be going well. There are a few more donors we’d like you to speak with before your presentation.” Charles has been at my shoulder all night, reminding me of everything that needed to be done. Typically, the royals wouldn’t be in charge of fundraising, but with this being my passion project, I wanted to be involved in every aspect.
“Start with Lord Browning. I hear he’s wanting to diversify his charity holdings this year.”
I nod, sipping on the champagne in my hand. It’s an open bar, but I don’t want to get pissed like I have been for the last few weeks. As I start making my way to the lord in question, whispers break out across the room. Can’t I just go one night without some scandal?
“Your Highness. I would suggest heading to the press area. Miss Cross is here, and we don’t want anything to happen tonight.”
Zara’s here? But how in the world did she know about this? The charity was only in the beginning stages when I talked to her last. Cutting a path through the crowds, my beautiful Zara is making her way into the room. The click of cameras is louder than anything else in the room.
Zara is wearing the dress. The same red dress she wore to the orchestra that night that hugs every curve and dip of her sexy body. Her long, dark waves fall around her shoulders. She’s a life raft for someone who has been drowning in his own misery these last few weeks.
We invited the press tonight to help boost the visibility of the charity. Not that it wouldn’t get out on its own, but I wanted the work we’re doing to be covered here tonight as well.
“Zara! Where have you been hiding since the scandal broke?”
“Zara! Is it true you’re addicted to sex?”
“Care to give your side of the scandal?”
Oh, for fuck’s sake. Handing my glass to Charles, I head to Zara’s side. She’s stiff. She’s not the easygoing Zara that I’m used to.
“Thank you all for coming. I appreciate you being here, but I need Miss Cross.” I go to pull Zara away from the press, but her hand on my bicep has me stopping. Her eyes are clear. She gives me a small nod and turns to the press.
