“Are you up for a kiss?” I ask Edward.
“It’s a bit forward, yes?” Edward tries.
I grin. “Yes. Well?”
“Okay, let’s try it.”
“I’m an excellent kisser,” I assure him, “or your money back, guaranteed.”
He laughs at that and nods. “I must admit I’m not used to kissing in front of an audience. It’s a little disconcerting.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” James declares. “Now, kiss! It’s your birthday gift to me.”
“I thought you asked for no gifts,” I drawl, glancing at James for a moment before focusing on Edward, holding his gaze for a long moment.
“I did. Except for this one,” James informs us.
I step forward, catching Edward’s jaw and giving him a light kiss. Even so, I can’t help but wish it were Stef.
“Thanks,” I murmur at last.
Edward’s flushed, his gaze fixed on me like we’re the only ones in the room.
“We might need to practice that again,” he offers.
I laugh and give another, better kiss, while James nods his approval.
“Perfect, got it.” James beams up at us, putting his phone away, and finishing his champagne in a long swallow. “I took a few. Thank you, gentlemen. Very sporting of you.”
“Don’t mention it,” I say cheerfully. But it feels disloyal to Stef. Even though we’re not dating. We’re not anything, I tell myself, because Stef’s been clear. And I’ve got a whole royal life in the spotlight ahead of me.
Then James slips off into the crowd after replacing his champagne. This time, I see Frankie across the room, and James is making a beeline for him. We watch with fascination.
“Relationship problems,” I explain to Edward. “Hopefully, they’re working things out.”
“Mm, yes. I understand.”
“Any relationship problems yourself?” I ask him.
Edward gazes at me for a long moment, almost like he sees through me. “Well, there was this viscount…” Then he shakes his head. “Water under the bridge, now. The proverbial one that got away.”
“Viscounts are like that, I hear.”
He laughs and bobs his head. “Evidently so. You?”
“Well… yeah. Problems.”
“Right, how could I forget. Your ex. Such a pity.”
“And a PITA too,” I grumble and don’t dare breathe a word about Stef to Edward, otherwise this will really go south in a hurry. God, I wish Stef were here right now. The bittersweet feeling from earlier returns full force. I clear my throat, studying my champagne. There’s not enough left, so I down it, and as we’re conveniently by the bar, I get us both another round of champagne.
“More dancing?” Edward asks a moment later, seeming to sense my shift in mood again.
“Yeah.” I down my champagne quickly, and we head out again to dance.
I lose myself on the dance floor to the music, showing Edward some moves through the evening. He makes a good effort to learn, and although I wouldn’t quite say he has rhythm, he’s doing an admirable job of picking things up. I shut my eyes, dancing with my arms over my head, making myself remember this moment of freedom where no one is judging me or wanting much, and I can just be myself.
My days of fun and freedom are numbered.
