“I gathered as much.”
“Yeah.” Glum, I swirl my drink in its glass. “You’ve been very sporting about all of this.”
“I must say it’s a change from the usual.” Eddie smiles, and we sit on the sofa. “So what is your real plan?”
“Haven’t the foggiest. It’s got to involve kingly duties, however.” I gaze at him. Eddie’s close enough to touch. He unfastens the top button of his shirt, and I follow suit. “And respectability, apparently.”
“Well, you haven’t been in the scandal sheets for a while.”
“Thanks for being a moderating influence.”
“It’s all you, not me.” Eddie chuckles. “Much as I would like to take credit.”
“You should hear James go on about how you’ve settled me down.” I shake my head. “It’s a whole lot of something, anyway. Also, about the table situation… how do you feel about a sham wedding in mid-July? Probably a state affair.”
Eddie gazes at me for a long moment. His mouth appeals, or maybe I’m seeking distraction, and for a moment, I’m tempted to kiss him, my supposed future fake husband. Then he clears his throat carefully. “Don’t ever settle, Theo.”
“What?” I blink at him, setting my drink down.
“For what you want.”
“I can’t have what I want,” I say instantly, heart pounding.
“You can. And honestly, I don’t want to be your runner-up,” Eddie murmurs with a wry smile.
“What do you mean?” I frown, a cold wave rippling through me. Being rejected by my fake future husband wasn’t in my game plan for tonight. Or any other night.
He sighs, shifting his position on the sofa to look at me. “I understand you have feelings for someone else.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “What makes you think that? I’ve been into the plan. You’re great. Forget feelings. Shit, that sounds rotten—I’m sorry.”
“What do you want, Theo? Maybe you need to chase that. Him.”
I gulp. “I can’t. But… I guess you’re right. I do have feelings for someone. But it’s an impossible situation.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Not this lifetime, I don’t think. The stars or whatever don’t align. And… I’m sorry for leading you on.”
“You haven’t. I’ve had fun with you. And imagining a change in my life at this point.” Eddie shrugs. “And hopefully, we can remain friends. After all, I have a table riding on this at some point.”
I laugh, then swallow hard. “I’m so sorry, Eddie. This isn’t fair to you. Especially because… fuck. Because… you’re right, I’ve fallen for someone else. Even if it can’t work out.”
Eddie considers me. “If I’ve learned anything, Theo, it’s that we get one life to live. Go live it. Fully. Because there isn’t always time for a second chance.”
“Fucking hell.” I rub my face, shaking my head to clear it. Maybe for regular mortals. But acknowledging my feelings for Stef doesn’t help anyone in this scenario. “I have to face being a King on my own.”
“If that’s what you want.”
“It’s… it’s what I need to do.” I rub my face. “It would be way easier to get fake married, for the record.”
“You’d still be King,” Eddie points out. “Either way. And you’ll make an excellent King once you get your legs under you. I have faith.”
“You, I’m afraid, might be the only one. Except for my mother. She has to believe in me.”
He laughs. “Therefore, you have a fan club of two. What more do you need?”
“A whole lot of guts. And luck,” I say wistfully, wishing I could be some fairy-tale prince rather than the stark reality of being… very much not a fairy-tale prince. But at least I’m off the hook for a fake wedding, which is, to be honest, a huge relief. And thank God Eddie’s not upset.
