Page 56 of The Problem with Princes
I smile into the phone. “Well, that’s why I’m calling. It’s been crazy here today. I’m not flying home tonight as planned.”
“What? Why?” Texie’s voice gets all excited. “Does this have anything to do with Prince Tyrone?”
I sink a little deeper into the water, rolling my neck back and forth in the warmth. “Kind of.” I draw the word out. “His security team found footage for the surrounding areas of the coffee shop and they want me to look through them to see if I can spot the guy who sabotaged his car.”
“Is that all?” she asked suspiciously.
“Of course, that’s all. If it weren’t for that, I’d be at the airport right now, instead of soaking in the biggest tub I’ve ever seen.”
“Wait, our room at the hotel didn’t have a big tub. Where are you, Grace?” She has that I-already-know-but-I-want-to-hear-it-from-your-lips sound to her voice.
“There was an incident at the hotel and Sander says I have to stay at the palace until they can get it figured out.”
“What type of incident?” Texie’s voice is all sing-songy.
“There was a threatening note left under my door this morning. Sander thinks it’s from MSG.” Just mentioning it makes my skin prickle.
“MSG? What is that?”
I forgot Texie wasn’t privy to that acronym. “Mr. Skateboard Guy.”
“You and your dumb acronyms.” She pauses. “Wait. He figured out where you were staying?” The playful tone has completely left her voice. “That’s bad, Gee.”
“Sander thinks so too. That’s why I’m staying at the palace.” I blow at a mound of bubbles on my skin, trying to push away the sudden panic that threatens to consume me. “You wouldn’t believe this place, Tex. The bedrooms are as impressive as the dining room.”
“I can only imagine.” She’s quiet for a moment. “But you’re safe there?”
“Yeah. I’m totally safe. Sander even used drones to watch us when we were out on the boat. There is really no such thing as being alone here.”
“That makes me both happy and sad,” she laments. “When are you coming home then?”
I sigh, pulling all the bubbles I can reach and piling them on top of my chest. The conversation I had with Ty about moving comes to mind, but there is no reason to talk to Texie about it. At least not now. “I’m supposed to fly home Wednesday morning. They think that I can get through all the footage by then.”
“So only two days extra?”
“Don’t sound so disappointed, Tex. My boss is not happy that I won’t be at work tomorrow.”
Texie snorts. “Why, because he’s going to have to tell someone else how to order his coffee?”
I stay silent. I know it’s true. I’d had the same thought myself. But it just makes it so much more pitiful when Texie says it. It just shows what a joke my job is.
“Sorry, Gee. I know you do more than that.” She sounds contrite.
I laugh bitterly. “Yes. I also get bagels and doughnuts.”
“It’ll get better.” She pauses and I know she is biting her pinkie nail. “For the time being, just enjoy being in the palace and with the prince.”
“I’m notwiththe prince, Texie.” I furrow my brow. I’m not, right?
“But you could be.” She moves back to her sing-song voice.
“Nothing can happen, even if he was so inclined. Which he isn’t. He’s charming, yes. But…I don’t know. It’s too complicated.”
“What can possibly be the problem?” She sounds genuinely baffled.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because he has security around him twenty-four-seven. Or because he has more money than I can even imagine. Or because we live an ocean apart. Or because he is going to be a king someday. But that is just off the top of my head. The rest I can’t quite put into words.” The alarm on my phone starts playingIt’s My Lifeby Bon Jovi. “Hey, Tex. I have to let you go or I’m going to be late for Ty for the second time in one day.”
“Okay. But call me tomorrow and be prepared to give me details. I mean it, Gee.”
