Page 17 of The Prince and the Double Shot
“Yes, you still haven’t actually done it.”
“I’m sorry, I…”
“Apology accepted.”
“Behind you,” Mateo brushed past me again.
“Look, can we start again, please?” He leaned onto the counter with his hands, and his biceps flexed. Why did I have to have a type? “You were right. I do work and then go up to my room and sulk. I’ve been… in a bad place for a while.”
“Do you want to talk about it? Maybe after our shifts?”
He sighed. “Not really. But… How about we finish that drink?”
“How about we finish it somewhere else? I know a great little place not too far from here. We could walk over… Maybe talk on the way. That way, it will be harder for you to run away.”
“I think I’m done running away, for now, anyway.”
“Well, we never know what the future holds.”
“I made your drink since you two were… uh… talking.” Mateo slid the steamy container over towards him.
“Oh, how much do I owe you?”
“This one’s on me.” I nodded. I could hear Mateo chuckling as he walked away.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, no… You owe me.” I winked.
“Let me… I guess I should get back to work. I know there are others who want to order.” He glanced behind at the nonexistent line. “Or not…”
“I need to clean up. Can you meet me in the lobby in two hours?”
“Sure. I should be able to clean up by then. All I have left to do today is transplant some geraniums. I’ll… see you then.”
I watched him walk out the door and into the courtyard.
“So… It seems like someone’s suddenly in a good mood today.”
“Shut it, Sam,” I laughed. “Listen, do you want me to break that register?”
The smile on his face told me all I needed to know.
PHIL
Iwas pacing back and forth, and Kalle, who works in groundskeeping, was staring at me with his deep eyes. I must have looked like a fool. “I’m waiting,” I shrugged.
“Looks to me like you're wearing out a spot on the floor,” he laughed as he walked by. “Have fun tonight.”
A prince almost always knew a prince. He realized who I was as soon as he saw me work my magic with the plants. I recognized him almost at once, too. The woodland realm is a beautiful place, and so are its people. My family and I have gone there in the past for some kind of event when I was younger. We didn’t know each other, but there was always an unspoken understanding between our kind. Being a royal was more work than most people imagined.
He didn’t tell me what he was doing here, and I didn’t ask.
Secrets. We all had them. Some were just darker than others.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I turned to find Zane standing behind me. “How did you sneak up on me?”
