“Right, okay. Sorry.” My face warms.
“No need to apologize. It’s a reasonable question.”
I shake my head at myself. “I don’t know. Maybe.” I grimace, remaining fully unconvinced, gesturing broadly. “Right. Let’s try this all again.”
Edward peers curiously at me. “What do you have in mind?”
“I mean, let’s start over and go get some media-friendly pictures out on the dance floor…” I draw myself up to my full height and give a disarming smile. “Hi. I’m Theo.”
“Eddie.”
We shake hands. His grip is pleasingly firm; I’ll give him points for that. “How’s, uh, the Fortune 500 or the London Stock exchange or whatever,” I say carelessly.
Edward chuckles. “All very well, I believe. Shall we hit the dance floor?”
“Yes, definitely. Let’s go get seen.”
I offer my arm, and he slips his through mine. We make our way to the ballroom as I put everything out of my mind except the present. There’s no Danish monarchy, no Stef, and definitely no nautical problems. Or, for that matter, Aidan problems. There’s only James’ epic party and having some fun.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The ballroom has been transformed from a stately sort of affair to an otherworldly gilded nightclub, complete with dramatic, colorful uplights, a top DJ, and a bar at one end of the room. Any regal carpets have been put away and a dance floor set up, which is already packed by the time we rejoin the celebrations. There’s even a coat check, so I ditch my jacket, as does Edward.
We join the others on the dance floor. I spot Auggie and Thomas having a great time through the crowd. James dances with Elsie. There’s no sign of Frankie at the minute.
I whirl Edward around. It’s true enough he’s not a gifted dancer, but he gets plenty of points for effort. And he’s smiling, so I’ll take that as a win. There’re people taking selfies, and I even spotted a photographer lurking around the edges, probably taking shots destined for James’ Instagram to commemorate the night.
Out on the dance floor, I feel more free than I have in ages, letting myself go, and Edward’s all too happy to follow my lead. Eventually, James joins us, doing an impressive job of dancing his way through his guests.
“Might need some water,” Edward shouts in my ear. I nod at the bar, and James nods too, joining us. While Edward downs water, James and I get some more champagne.
“Feeling celebrated?” I shout in his ear.
“Yeah, totally. Here’s to twenty-five,” James declares, clinking glasses with us in turn, beaming. “Real adult shit now.”
I grin at him. “What, this was all fake adult shit before?”
“You don’t understand.” James shakes his head, giving me a meaningful look. “My trust fund’s released on my twenty-fifth birthday, which is officially next week. And I need to make good use of things—such as my life, say—and not fuck it up. I’m third in the line of succession, after Auggie and Anne, so I got to make something of myself too. You’re not alone, Theo.”
“Right, okay,” I agree cheerfully. “No pressure, then. Advice: don’t follow my lead.”
“I can arrange a financial adviser for you if you don’t have someone lined up,” Edward offers. “I have an excellent one.”
“Please.” James gives him a grateful look. “I need all the help I can get.” He grins at us and puts his arms around our necks, champagne glass dangling from his fingers. “So, you boys having some fun tonight?”
“All in your honor,” I acknowledge, sipping my drink, then unfasten my bow tie and release a couple of buttons with my free hand. I grin.
“Good, good. I’m getting some photos,” James informs us cheerfully. “You’ll be on my socials.”
As I suspected. I nod, glancing at Edward, who nods too.
“Go fake kiss or something,” James encourages us conspiratorially. “That would seal the deal for authenticity. Let me get a photo.”
“I—”
“Er—”
Edward and I look at each other, both stopping short. He reddens. I give him a meaningful look while James fishes out his phone.
