Page 53 of The Problem with Princes
Maybe Ty was just trying to help. Sometimes it’s hard to see the line between controlling and helpful.
My phone buzzes with a text message and I lift it up for the facial recognition. My screen comes to life, displaying a text message from Kimberly, my boss’s secretary.Mandatory staff meeting at noon tomorrow.
I switch the screen off and my stomach twists. Staying longer is going to be a huge deal and I know it. Not only have I already used all my vacation time but now I’m going to be missing a mandatory meeting. My day is just getting better and better.
My boss won’t be happy about my absence, even if I can convince someone to video conference me in. And I know the reason he’ll be mad. Because I can’t video conference the coffee they expect me to bring to the meeting. If I’m not there to do that, is there even a reason for a video conference?
I don’t even want to think about the financial repercussions of staying here longer.
“My boss is going to freak out when I don’t show up for work on Monday. Congress will convene in the next few weeks and there’s a lot of prep work to be done. He isn’t altogether happy with the timing of this trip as it is.”
“I already told you I can make a call to your boss and explain that you are needed here.” Tyrone glances at me, his smile tentative.
“Uhh, no. I don’t let my mom call in my excuses and I won’t let you either. I’d be better off just calling in sick.”
“Then why don’t you just call in sick?”
“Because that’s dishonest. And just not my style. I’ll call him when we get to the palace.” It strikes me again how surreal this all is. I’ve just offhandedly mentionedgetting to the palace.Likethisismy normal life.
He nods. “I’m sorry I just sprung all this on you. But the video was only discovered last night and then with the note...”
I give him a quick, insincere smile. I’ll need to work on that if I don’t want things to feel awkward for the next few days.
ChapterSeventeen
I pressthe button to disconnect the call and set my phone down on the side table. Mr. Wainwright was annoyed, but I’m not sure if it is because I bothered him on a Sunday or because I won’t be bringing coffee to work tomorrow. He says he is disappointed I won’t be there because there is a project he needs me on. But he says we can go over the details when I return on Wednesday afternoon. I think he believes why I have to stay longer, but who really knows?
Tyrone steps into the small sitting room. “Did you make your call?”
I nod.
“And? What did your boss say?” He carries two cans of Coke in his hands.
“What can he say? I mean, he can’t really call me a liar without proof.” I shrug. “He says we can talk about the project he wants me to start on when I get in on Wednesday.”
“So we’re good?”He motions between us.
He doesn’t seem to understand that missing work isn’t really why I’m mad.
I sit down on the couch and look out the large sliding glass doors at the sparkling water. “Yep. We’re good.” I nod and smile at him, putting it all aside for now. “And I called my parents, so they won’t worry if they don’t hear from me tomorrow.”
Ty’s shoulders drop a fraction as he sits down next to me, both of us quiet for a moment.
“I can’t believe this is the view you grew up seeing every day.” The calm, glassy water settles into my soul.
“I never really think about it, but yeah. I guess you’re right.” He moves to face me. “But I bet you grew up with your own amazing views, right?”
“Yeah, I miss seeing the mountains. Not that DC doesn’t have some pretty great sights.” I sigh. “Seeing the Washington Monument with the sun rising behind it is breathtaking.”
He puts his can on a coaster on the side table. “Would you like to go out on a boat? It’s a perfect day for it.”
I shift so I’m completely facing him. “But I thought we had to stay on the palace grounds.”
“We do. But the water is still considered palace grounds. You know how the White House has air space above it that planes can’t fly through without authorization? We have that here too. But because the palace is close to the water, we have water space that is protected and strictly controlled. We’ll be safe.”
I don’t even try to hide my excitement. Not that the palace isn’t beautiful—I’m sure there are tons of things I have yet to see inside it—but thinking of being confined here for two and a half days leaves me feeling slightly claustrophobic. “Oooh, I’d love that!”
He grins and it feels like we are back on friendly terms again.
