Jenna’s hazel eyes widen as she stirs her bowl of gnocchi around slowly. “I’m sure it wasn’t as bad as you’re making it out to be.”
“No, it was. Trust me.”
She arches her eyebrow in challenge.
“Okay, maybe my date with Eric didn’t start off as a disaster, but it certainly ended that way.”
“Tell. Me. Everything.”
I lean forward in my seat and speak in a low tone. “It all started with a casual lunch together at Charlie’s. We picked up the conversation right where we’d left off at theI Love Lucyevent...” I don’t leave out any details. Jenna listens with rapt attention. “. . .then after I told him to leave, Art and I rode back to the stables and took care of the horses.”
“Blimey, I can’t believe he did that. How did Amanda react?”
“She was mortified and kept apologizing. I still feel semi-guilty that all that effort she put into the date was wasted.” I reach for my water glass.
“And Edmund? Did he go into protective older brother mode?”
“Uh-huh. Eddie was like a volcano. He marched into his office, slammed the door shut, and ripped Eric to bits over the phone. Even with the door closed, I could clearly hear everything he said. I’ve seen him get angry once or twice, but this time, evenIwas scared. Needless to say, they’re no longer friends.”
Jenna lets out a low whistle. “I wouldnotwant to be on the bad side of your brother. Or your father. They’re both downright terrifying.”
“Agreed.” I take a heaping bite of my lasagna and chew slowly.
“Where do you go from here?”
“Amanda is begging me to give her another chance. She’s promised that if I agree to another date, she’ll make sure the bloke is properly vetted before we go out, but I don’t know.” I sigh. “I’m not too keen on another date anytime soon after the experience with Eric. What do you think I should do?”
Jenna takes a moment to study me. “I think you should tell Amanda exactly what you’re telling me. I think you just need some time to process and move past the whole experience. Say you’ll keepher offer in mind for the future, and when you’re ready, you’ll let her know. I know it wasn’t easy for you to agree to a date in the first place.”
Jenna was one of the few people who was able to get through to me when I hit rock bottom after the media storm. She’s the one who suggested I travel during my gap year.
“There’s something else you’re holding back. Isn’t there,” she states more than asks.
“There is.” I never have been able to hide anything from her.
“Well, get on with it.”
I glance in Angela’s direction. She’s still engrossed in her book.
“This is a state secret. It has to stay strictly between us.”
She zips her lips closed and holds up her hand to show she promises.
“Thereissomebody I like, but it’s complicated.” On cue, the guitar busker begins to sing Taylor Swift’s “Lover.”
“Who?” she whispers.
“Arthur,” I admit in a barely audible tone. I can’t believe I’ve just said his name aloud.
“Your personal protection officer?” she mouths to me.
“Yes.” I cover my face with my hands.
“Oh, Alice. It had to be him?”
“I know. I’m in so much trouble. I see him every day and it’s a battle of my wills to keep my mind focused on what I’m doing. He’s in all my thoughts, and lately, all my dreams.”
Last night, for instance, I dreamed about Art and I going for a ride together in clothing from Jane Austen’s time. The top hat. The form-fitting jacket. The breeches. All the Regency-era clothing fit him so well. He was just like Matthew Macfadyen, myfavorite Mr. Darcy. Everything in the dream seemed so real. I could smell the lavender of the field. Feel the damp morning fog upon my skin. We were just about to kiss when my alarm went off.
