Page 33 of Royal Hottie
“I didn’t think much about it. A private jet?”
“Yes. Anna’s fundraiser wasn’t because we didn’t have the funds. It was cleverly designed to involve the people who will later become future clients of the spa. She’s hoping they’ll spread the word about it.”
She smiles. “She’s a smart cookie, isn’t she?”
“Yes. A natural entrepreneur, and my brother is behind her, using his own considerable power and connections to smooth the way.”
She takes a sip of wine and sighs. “I love that she’s queen and has all of you. She had a rough childhood and, well, I know she’s always wanted family.”
“She’ll probably have her own family with Gabriel soon. They’re getting started on the heir right away.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! She’ll be the best mom.”
“Agreed.”
“Okay, so after we jet off to Paris, then we…”
“Dine at L’Ambroisie and then—”
“Wait, tell me about the restaurant.”
“The chef is a family friend, he’s been around forever, and it’s a three-star Michelin restaurant. For foodies, that’s the ultimate. You pass through the seventeenth-century arcades of Places des Vosges to enter the restaurant. You’ll love that.” At her puzzled look, I backtrack to what might’ve been unfamiliar to her. “Places des Vosges is like a park, a residential square of open space surrounded by redbrick apartment buildings with shops and restaurants below. The street level of the buildings has these large arches, they’re called arcades. Anyway, you loved the historic shopping mall at Nantes so much, I thought you’d really like it. And then once you’re inside, the interior is an elegant Viennese style.”
“Describe it.”
I try to picture it in my mind’s eye. “White wood paneling, gold-trimmed mirrors, silk tapestries, crystal chandeliers, round tables with white tablecloths, red and purple velvet chairs, marble patterned floors. I’m sure I’m not doing it justice. You’ll have to see it in person.”
“It sounds like you picked this date special for me. What if someone else had won you?”
“Then I would’ve had a candlelit dinner in the royal dining room and invited everyone—my brothers, sister, and the other guests—up here for a party. Very little alone time.”
She gives me a small pleased smile and sips her wine.
I sip mine too. I don’t mind that I’ve shown my hand, and she knows I’m into her. I want her to know. I want to treat her special. “So after that, we could go dancing at a club, or we could come back here and relax on the rooftop garden. Or walk on the beach. Really up to you. I want you to experience everything you’re interested in here as a newcomer.”
She smiles. “That’s a nice way to say I’m a tourist. I’d like dinner, dancing, and then back here to the rooftop garden.” She looks off in the distance and sighs. “You’re not like the guys I usually meet.”
“I suppose I’m your first royal.”
She laughs. “Yes, but I mean, you just seem more direct, more expressive than most guys.”
I look off in the distance before confiding, “I wasn’t always the playboy prince. I did commit once. It ended in a very public breakup. So maybe I was happy with my scandalous reputation. My ex could see I was doing just fine without her.” I turn to her. “Lately, though, I’m really starting to hate it. I wanted my charitable work to help clean up my image for the sake of my family, but now I want to change it just as much for me.”
She gives me a sympathetic look. “I heard about Lana.”
I take a swallow of wine to ease the tightness in my throat. “Yes, well, everyone did.”
My breakup with Lana was extremely public, covered by all the gossip rags, all over the internet, so I’m sure Ruby knows the basics. Lana and I were the golden couple for five years and then she dumped meby textfor a Greek billionaire, whom she said she loved. They were plastered all over the gossip rags too. Now, a little over a year later, I hear she’s single and I get a sick satisfaction out of knowing that. I hope he dumped her as callously as she dumped me. I guess I haven’t completely gotten over it if I’m still bitter. I’m not that evolved.
We’re quiet for a few minutes, but it’s not awkward. Lana fades from my mind as I find peace again, sitting next to Ruby, cozy and warm, gazing at the sea.
“I feel like a different person sitting up here on this peaceful island,” she says, breaking the silence. “Like I’m not just buffeted by forces beyond my control. Like I’m in control. Maybe it’s because I’ve been working on my first big solo project here. I like working for myself.”
“You’re great at your job.”
“Thanks. Anna did me a huge favor calling me for it. Plus she bragged about me to all her friends when she gave them the tour. They all want me to do projects for them when I get back to Tampa. It’ll really get my business off the ground.”
“That’s fantastic!”
