She asked me a few questions about allergies and preferences and soon enough was off to get me a pastry with raspberry and chocolate filling and a caramel-and-chocolate latte.
I turned and watched as security moved around the street. Two men entered the café and did a sweep of it. I smiled at one of them, but he didn’t return it.Whatever, asshole.
“Here you go.”
I thanked her and chose a table in the corner. I was just going to grab it and leave, but the prince’s bodyguards were everywhere, and I’d have been lying if I said I wasn’t curious about the man.
So, like all the enamored gawkers outside and inside, I stared at the limo and waited with bated breath for him to step out and greet his people.
CHAPTER FOUR
Julian
Lilac Avenue waswhere I’d begun my tour last year. It was a quiet street that was pleasing to the eye. I liked the colors and that there were only three businesses on it. The crowd wouldn’t be too large, unless word got out that I was here before I had a chance to leave. I loved Penny’s chocolate croissants and if I was going to get through all the fakery of wooden smiles and limp handshakes, I needed one.
“Your Highness, it’s safe,” Edward, the head of my security, said once he opened my door.
“Of course it is, Edward.” I stopped myself from rolling my eyes.
At this point, I had to put my mask on. Inside the vehicle, in my bedroom, anywhere people weren’t, I could let it slip—but not in public.
I stepped out and moved swiftly into the bakery, where a redheaded freckle-faced girl grinned at me. I could tell she was nervous, and while I was doing my best to put on a happy face, she was still intimidated by me.
“Hello, welcome to Penny’s. How may I help you, Your Royal Highness?”
“Good afternoon. I couldn’t even think about beginning my tour without delicious chocolate croissants and a cup of coffee from Penny’s.”
Her cheeks bloomed red, and she giggled. “We’re honored to have you here, Your Highness, and that you enjoy our refreshments.”
The café had a few patrons and when I turned, they all glimmered with excitement and the desperate need to ask me to take selfies with them. All but one, a man in the far back of the café. I knew he’d seen me—every few seconds he’d lift his eyes, but all too soon he’d either stare out the window or at his phone.
“Here you are, Your Royal Highness. No charge.”
“I couldn’t possibly. Edward, please pay; I’m going to go enjoy this bounty.” I took the croissant and coffee and moved to a table beside the lone man.
I’d do the selfie thing and autographs after I ate, but right now this guy intrigued me and I had no idea why.
“Good afternoon,” I said to him.
His face was turned away until I spoke but upon my greeting, he met my gaze. To the everyday person he was unremarkable. Brown hair and eyes, lithe in stature, dressed casual in earthy tones. He had good bone structure, high cheekbones, a button nose. He was adorable, and I was immediately captivated.
“Uh, hi, I mean hello, Your Royal Highness…or is it Prince? I’m sorry, I’m from America.” He bit his lip, and the sudden urge to suck on it almost overtook me.
“You say America as if that explains any mistake.”
He shrugged. “I mean, yeah.”
He was funny. I imagined most would be laughing, and I was enjoying his company—an odd feat in itself.
“How about for this short interlude, you refer to me simply as Julian?”
His eyes got as big as saucers. “I couldn’t possibly.”
I sighed. “Very well, Prince Julian?”
There was no hiding the uncertainty in his expression. “Is that legal?”
Now I did chuckle, which surprised me. “It is if I say so.”
