Page 37 of The Problem with Princes
My stomach gets all flippy. He said he can’t wait to see me. I throw the covers back.Me: Nah. I’m good.Winky face.
I run to the bathroom and set a world record in showering. Thankfully, I washed my hair yesterday, so it’ll be fine to skip it today. One of the benefits of long hair. I pull on my bikini and look down at the scabs covering my belly. I am grateful to have my board shorts and rash guard. I don’t feel inclined to explain the scabs to Ty. Besides, they are pretty gross to look at.
I dial Texie’s number as I pull on the shorts and shirt.
“Hey, Gee.” Her words are slurred, and I grimace.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize what time it is there.”
“It’s okay.” She yawns. “How’s your trip?” Her words say trip, but her tone says Tyrone.
“It’s good. I still wish you had been able to stay.” I only partially mean it. But you don’t admit that to your best friend, right?
She laughs. “Yeah, I can tell.” Her voice is bland. “What did you do yesterday?”
“We went to the Hilltop Monastery.”
“Oooh. How did it go? Is it as amazing as you thought it would be?”
“Yeah. It’s so amazing. We spent the entire day there. You should see the paintings on the walls, Tex.”
She stops me. “Yeah, whatever. I can see the pictures when you get home. I want to know how the prince is.”
I rub my tinted moisturizer in, hoping it will even out the raccoon eyes I got at the monastery.
Leaning close to the mirror, I drop my chin, concentrating while I apply my mascara. “Good. He is nice and a total gentleman. He arranged for the monastery to be closed for the entire day while we were there.”
Texie sighs. “Are you putting on your mascara? You sound weird.”
I give my lashes one last stroke of the brush and then twist the cap back on. “Yeah. I’m just getting ready to leave.”
“What are you doing today?”
I grab a maxi dress and a short-sleeved cardigan and tuck them into my bag. “We’re going to some beach and then I don’t know where.”
“Ohh. We’re? Who’swe’re?
I roll my eyes. “Ty just texted me and asked if I wanted to go to the beach today. And after all the stairs we climbed yesterday, I think the water will feel amazing.”
“He’s Ty now, is he?” Texie’s voice is all gooey and sweet.
I don’t say anything back. She can be so annoying sometimes.
“So the beach,” she says. “Are you wearing that cute little bikini I made you buy?”
I smile into the phone. She doesn’t know about the board shorts and rash guard. And I plan to keep it that way. “Yep.”
“No, you aren’t. I can hear in your voice that you’re lying.”
“I’m not lying.” Dang her. “I’m just wearing shorts and a rash guard over it.”
“But it’s so cute. Why are you covering it up?”
I sigh. “The suit may be cute, Tex. The oozing, crusty burns on my thighs and stomach are not.”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot about those.” She pauses. “Okay. Probably best not to show off the bikini then.”
“Thanks for your approval.” I find my pair of sparkly jeweled flops and toss them next to my bag. They will look great with the maxi skirt.
