Page 82 of An American in London

I sigh at the sloth-like movement of the line and jump when someone behind me taps me on the shoulder. I’m full New Yorker furious when I spin around ... and come face-to-face with Ben.

“Hey, Wednesday.”

His dimple undoes me. I go from furious to grinning like a puppy on ecstasy. HummingThe Addams Familytheme tune, I click my fingers twice. The corner of Ben’s mouth turns up and he shakes his head.

“Did you finish your packing?”

I’d left Ben’s place last night to come back to the hotel and pack. And maybe because the more time I spend with him, the more I worry about how difficult I’ll find it to leave.

Even though I saw him less than twelve hours ago, it’s so good to see him, I ache inside. “Apparently it’s not just me stalking people this morning.”

“Last night, I found myself watching the end of the Daniel De Luca movie we started together,” he says. “The one where he agrees to marryhis boss for a green card. I thought finding you here was more ... in keeping with our theme.”

“Our theme?”

“Yeah, I figure our theme is Daniel De Luca romantic comedy tropes. There are so many tropes between us, I can’t keep count. You’re new in town—like De Luca inThis Old Town. I’m a grumpy billionaire, like the one he plays inLove Me Like a Boss. Apparently that’s a thing.”

“Yeah. That’s definitely a thing.” I grin.This guy. “That’s two.”

“Mistaken identity—like inWhat a Feeling. You thought I was Daniel De Luca. You stepped on my toe in the queue at the coffee shop—that’s number four.”

“Standing in line at a coffee shop definitely isn’t a trope.”

He narrows his eyes with a look that says,Don’t argue with me. I know I’m right. “I’m sure there was one. Then of course, fake engagement.”

“My favorite.”

“The primary trope in our movie.”

“We’re in a movie now?”

“Isn’t everyone the star of their own movie?”

“I don’t know.” I’m not sure I have been up until now.

“But!” He holds up a finger. “We’ve missed an important one. I think we need to put it right.”

“Okay. What did we miss?”

“Holiday romance.”

“But it’s not Christmas.”

He rolls his eyes. “Americans. ‘Vacation romance,’ then, if you insist.”

He’s put a lot of effort into his argument, which I have to admit is compelling. “So how do you suggest we put it right?”

The corner of his mouth twitches. “I’m glad you asked. Turns out I have a light day at work. You’re new in town, only here for another day. Thought you might want a tour guide.”

Warmth swirls in my belly. The duchess’s reminder about it being the small things that count plays in a loop in my head. “Nothing I want more than a grumpy billionaire tour guide.”

The line inches forward and we shuffle along.

“What’s on your list that you haven’t seen yet? St. Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London?”

I wince. “I haven’t seen any of them.”

“What have you seen?” He groans. “Don’t tell me—Green Park where Daniel first met Julia Alice inLove Me Like a Boss, and the lobby of the hotel where he’s staying while he films his latest movie. It sounds like you haven’t seen the most beautiful, most important things London has to offer. Well, I’m here to show you.”

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