Page 40 of The Problem with Princes
“I’m sorry. I am just thinking of something else.”
He takes my bag off my shoulder and tosses it over his own. “What can be so bad to make you scowl so fiercely?”
I shrug. “I’m just thinking how bummed I am that I’m leaving tomorrow and will be at work the next day.” It isn’t totally the truth, but it is close enough. I’m not looking forward to leaving this all behind and returning to my barista duties.
“Then why don’t you quit your job and stay here?” A slightly vulnerable look crosses his face. Something I didn’t think him capable of just the other day.
“You’ve got to be kidding. And do what? I already know what your father thinks of lobbyists.”
He reaches over and wraps my hand in his. My step falters but I cover it well. “My father likes you. He may not be fond of American lobbyists, but if you were working as one here, he would have no problem with it.”
“Yeah, because that makes complete sense to quit my job and bail on my lease to move to a country where I have no job, no home and no family.”
“But you would be home. You said so yourself.”
I have no words, so I just stand there, blinking at him.
“At least think about it.” He lifts our hands. “I would kind of like to see where this goes.”
I grunt. “You hardly know me. I mean, for all you know, this is just my tourist persona. I could totally be a crazy stalker chick in my normal life.”
He stops walking and studies me, his head cocked to the side. Without a word, he pulls me toward the water.
I stay quiet. What else is there to say after announcing that you may be a stalker? I’m surprised Sander hasn’t come over and moved between us.
“Are you?” He glances at me sideways. “A crazy stalker chick?”
I shake my head. “No.”
We come to a stop just out of reach of the water. Tyrone drops my bag on the sand.
I fold my arms across my chest and level a stare at him. “But isn’t that what I would say if Iwasa crazy stalker?”
He laughs and the weird tension in the air lessens.
He turns and walks back toward the car.
I jog to catch up with him. “Hey, where are you going?”
“To get my stuff out of the boot.”
I sigh at his word choice. I’m going to miss listening to him talk. I watch as he leans into the trunk to grab his things and I sigh again. I will miss more than just his accent. He is hot; there is no arguing that point. But I’ll also miss the comfortable banter we sometimes have. I can honestly say I never felt as comfortable with Tanner, even after more than a year of dating, as I feel with Ty after just a few days.
He stands up with several beach-type chairs slung over one shoulder and a large canvas bag over the other. Reaching forward, he slams the trunk closed.
This time I grab his bag. “Here. Let me help you carry some of that stuff.”
He opens his mouth to object, but I already have the strap of his bag over my head and crossed over my chest, so it hangs on the opposite side. “Seriously, how long do you plan on staying at the beach? A week?”
He dips his head and looks at me over the tops of his sunglasses. “Hey, a beach trip is serious business. I had to make sure we have everything we need.”
I return his look. “Like sunscreen?”
He grimaces. “I really am sorry about getting you sunburned yesterday.”
I shrug. “I’ll live.”
We get back to the spot where he’d dropped my bag, and he unfolds the chairs, placing one next to the other.
