Page 30 of The Himbo and the Lord

Who would have thoughtthere were so many people unwilling to accept bribes in the hospitality industry?

I swear we went to every hotel in all of Melbourne—well, the luxury ones, since I don’t believe Ru would stay at any other place.

But all day, except for our food breaks, my friends and I were running around the city trying to find the lord.

No luck.

And now, at half past six as I’m stepping out of the shower, I couldn’t care less about what I should wear to this damned yacht party, but I know Chase is an important person to my father and that I can’t cancel.

I know my duty.

Sadly, it’s the conditioning of that very duty that might’ve just cost me Ru.

And okay, I know I have control over my actions, and I should’ve realized earlier why I didn’t tell my friends about him from the start, why I felt the need to hide everything from them—because they’d know that Ru isn’t like anyone who came before him.

Just like they knew last night, as soon as they saw me acting like a heartless motherfucker. And a cruel one.

Even after spending almost eight hours searching for him, we didn’t find him, and though no one said it, I know we’re all thinking it.

He probably left Melbourne and went back to Sydney, or back to the UK.

I carry my defeat and my shame with me while we make our way to some fancy marina from where this yacht is supposed to sail.

Seth did let me know that there will be dinghies available for guests who want to get back to the marina earlier than the five-hour schedule, so I plan to make use of that after making an appearance with Chase and mingling for an hour.

I’ll need to get back and look for Ru some more.

If there’s even the slightest chance he’s still here, I have to find him.

And of course I tried stalking him online, but he seems to be one of those weirdos who doesn’t use any social media.

It makes me want to shudder, but the fact is, I actually find that endearing about him, not snobbish, even though I’m well aware heisa snob.

I get lost in thoughts of him while we’re making our way through Saturday night traffic and then going through the process of climbing aboard.

I shuffle behind Seth as we find someplace to be—since Chase doesn’t seem to be here yet—and get a beer while I’m at it.

Sulking, and yes, feeling sorry for myself again, I barely look up when Chase’s voice sounds loud over the whole yacht.

“Thank you all for being here tonight and helping me celebrate this new exciting venture.”

There’s clapping and some other words, but I tune them out. I know we’re not supposed to go greet our host because Seth hasn’t, and he hasallthe manners so he’d know, and then the yacht starts moving away from the marina.

“Holy shit,” Tony whispers, and chokes on his last sip, but I still don’t look up from the little bit of foam in my glass.

“What?” Seth asks, and after a beat of silence he starts slapping at my shoulder.

“Hey,” I protest.

“He’s here,” Seth hisses at me.

“Chase? Yes, I just heard?—”

“No, dumbass, Ru.” His voice is more hysterical this time, and I almost kill myself with how fast I turn my head.

And there he is.

Standing straight, with his pretty mouth set in a distant but polite smile.

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