Page 86 of The Problem with Princes
‘Mr. Patton’ had indeed been disappointed in my unprofessionalism. After all, he had taken a risk by hiring me when I had no experience. Eye roll.
A large hulking man stands beside a black Range Rover with a sign in his hands that reads, Martindale.
I grin and hurry forward. “Sander? What are you doing here?” I peer inside the tinted windows, but the car is empty. “Where’s Ty?” Sander never leaves Ty. He’s got to be around here somewhere. We haven’t talked as much since we put our cards on the table. He hasn’t ghosted me or anything, we still text multiple times a day. But he had been busy with a project or something this last week. And I had been getting ready for my interview and trip overseas.
Sander grins, as much as I’ve ever seen Sander grin. “Prince Tyrone will meet you after your interview.”
My face drops, but I school my features quickly. “You let him out of your sight? Sander, what has come over you?”
“He’s in a safe location and still has plenty of protection. But he wanted me to see that you are safe today.”
I lean in and give him a hug. He stays firmly planted beside the car, making the hug completely awkward. But I don’t care. I get to see Ty today, and that is the most important thing. Well, and this interview. “So you’re my buddy today?” I shoulder bump him. “I put myself in your capable hands.”
He opens the back car door and I slide inside. The tailgate is already open, and my bags are being piled inside.
Kisssounds at my side. I grab my phone and see Ty’s face, the Aegean Sea visible behind him. He smiles warmly. “Welcome home, Sweet Cheese.”
“I thought you would be here when I saw Sander.”
He shakes his head. “I wanted to be, but I had one last thing to finish up so that I’ll be free to spend the rest of the week with you.”
“Yay. I guess that makes up for it.”
“You ready for your interview?”
I wrap an arm around my middle. “What if I don’t get the job?” The butterflies I’ve been trying to cage since I boarded the plane in DC erupt.
Ty smiles. “Then you can retire to your new estate and become an olive oil maker.”
“Olive oil maker? Is that the industry lingo?” I breathe deeply. “Only if my estate has olive trees. But I can always fall back on my barista experience.” Texie and I had looked over several of the estate portfolios I’d been sent. The one I’m leaning toward does have an olive grove.
He laughs. “You’ll never have to peddle coffee again, trust me.” He blows me a kiss. “Now, go crush that interview.”
“Crush it. Got it.” I glance at the front seat. “I love you,” I whisper.
“Don’t worry about Sander. He already knows were in love.”
I see Sander pull his gaze from the rearview mirror. He’s trying very hard to look like he isn’t listening.
“Well, knowing and having to hear it are two different things.”
“Good luck and I love you, Sweet Cheese.” He winks at me just as I disconnect the video.
I close my eyes.Okay, Grace Martindale. You can do this. This job was pretty much made for you. It’s yours to lose. Okay, I’d give it a seven on a scale of one to ten for great peptalks. Although I could have done without the last part.
* * *
I shutthe door of the Prime Minister’s office behind me. Placing my hand to my chest, I will my heart to calm down. The interview is over. There is nothing left for me to do but wait.And I intend to do that waiting with Ty by my side.
I push my way out of the central government building, a breeze lifting the small hairs at the back of my neck. Salty sea air assaults my nose and the humidity makes my clothes feel damp. But that is nothing to the feeling of being home. It’s weird, in some ways, that I can feel this way about a place I’ve only spent six days in. Most people don’t understand it. But that doesn’t make it any less real.
I pull out my phone and call Texie.
“Well?” Texie asks as she picks up.
“I think it went well. They said I should receive a call within twenty-four hours.”
A huge breath whooshes out of her. “I’m sure you are the best candidate by a land slide.”
