Page 26 of The Problem with Princes
She grunts. “You’re staying.”
“You’re not my mother, Tex. You can’t order me to stay or go or not to think about things. I can and will make my own decisions.”
But deep down, I know there really isn’t much of a decision to make.
* * *
I wakeup the next morning to the sounds ofLet’s Get Rockedby Def Leppard. It is the kind of song that makes it difficult to go back to sleep after the initial few notes sound. It’s why I chose it as my morning wake-up alarm. Well, that and I love the song. Can anyone go back to sleep after hearing Def Leppard? I think not.
I glance over at Texie’s empty bed. I can’t believe she left me here alone. It doesn’t matter how much she tells me it is the best plan. I still feel betrayed.
I square my shoulders. I’m a big girl. There is no sense lamenting over the situation. I have two more days before I return home and I plan to take full advantage of the time.
I take my phone and dance into the bathroom. I’m going to be shuttled around the island by a prince today. I grip the countertop to stop the slight shake in my hands and look at myself in the mirror.
I suck in a breath.I’m going to be shuttled around the island by a prince. “A prince,” I say to my reflection. A little squeak of excitement bubbles out. How is this happening to me?
I lift my shaky hand up in front of my face. I’m not afraid of him. It’s more that I’m…leery. Yeah, that’s it. I’m leery of him. Or maybe I’m leery of the way I feel when I’m around him. I’m not sure anything good can come of those feelings. From everything I’ve seen in the papers, he’s a player. A different girl every week. What does he want with me? I look nothing like his typical flavor of the week.
I wiggle my fingers, trying to exercise the shakes out of them. It's probably just like he said. He wants to show me his appreciation. Nothing more.
But it feels like more. I can still feel the tingle of his hand from last night on the small of my back. Something stirs in my gut and I wonder, just for minute, what it would be like if we actually dated.
I fist my hands and set them on the counter. I’m ‘being me’. This is what Texie was talking about.
I breathe in through my nose and hiss it out through my mouth. Okay. I’m going to stop ‘being me’. I’m just going to enjoy my day and file everything away to remember later…once I’m back home living my normal, humdrum life.
I step into the shower, wondering what we will do today. Prince Tyrone had been pretty tight lipped about the day’s activities, saying only to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. The only real details he gave me were that we will start off the day with breakfast.
Another alarm goes off on my phone. I have a lot of them programmed in. It’s the only way I remember things when I’m ultra-focused on something. This alarm says that I need to haul some hinny, because all this ‘being me’ has put me way behind schedule.
I dressed in a pair of straight-leg linen capris with a drawstring waistband. I tie them a little loosely, allowing them to sit low on my hips, just below the burns on my stomach. The tunic style shirt with a boat neck hangs low enough to cover my low-riding pants and hopefully prevent any wardrobe mishaps should I bend over for any reason. I’m adamantly opposed to exposed crack.
I go to the closet to pick out my shoes, reaching for a pair of Toms and a pair of Converse sneakers. The Toms probably went better with the outfit, but if my hopes are correct and we go to the monastery, then the Converse will be more practical. In the end, practicality wins out. In my younger days my motto had been different. I far preferred to look good than feel good. I look at the Converse in my hands and feel good about my growth and maturity. I toss the Toms back into the closet just as a knock sounds. The floppiness returns to my stomach.
I open the door and my heart pitter-patters. I had no idea that was really a thing until now.
Prince Tyrone stands in the hallway. For a moment all I can do is stare. He’s wearing shorts and a polo shirt which is probably a size smaller than it should have been. Although, I’ll be the last one to complain about it. It hugs his body, emphasizing the contour of his pecks and shoulders. I release a wispy breath. Wow.
He grins down at me, drawing me out of my open-mouthed stupor.
I step back. “Sorry. Am I late? I thought we were meeting in the lobby.” I run a hand down the front of my pants.
He shrugs, as Sander steps around him and into the room. I hadn’t even realized Sanderwas there. Although, I’m not sure why. The man is the size of a semi-truck and I’ve never seen Tyrone without Sander nearby. Except at dinner last night. But wasn’t Prince Barak coming too? I lean forward and glance farther into the hallway. There are a few of Sander’s men at either end, but otherwise, it is empty. “Where is Prince Barak?”
Tyrone lifts a finger to his lips.
Sander walks around the room, looking at everything and running something in his hand along frames and lamps. He gives the prince a nod.
“No, you’re not late. I’m early.” He looks slightly sheepish—something I have never said about any of the men I’ve dated. Not that this is a date or that I am dating the prince.
Tyrone steps into the room. “I know I said we would meet in the lobby, but Sander thought it might be better if we came directly here.” He lifts a brow. “It’s a security thing. Besides, I’m anxious to get our day started and didn’t want to wait another minute to see you.” He runs a hand through his perfectly messy hair, which actually makes it even more perfectly messy. I want to hate him for that, but I can’t.
I look out into the hall one last time. But still no sign of Prince Barak. “I thought your brother was coming with us?”
“He was,” Ty’s smile slips slightly. “But your friend somehow left a message saying she was leaving early so he didn’t need to come if he didn’t want to. He had some business to take care of, so he stayed back at the palace.”
“Oh, okay.” I smile even as I try to think of ways to kill Texie. Or maybe I want to hug her. I’m not entirely sure, yet. I guess we’ll see how the day plays out before I plot her downfall.
