by Tessa Bailey
My heart thunders in my chest, scared yet hopeful. I’m not alone in the deep waters. Maybe, just maybe, it’s a risk worth taking. “And then what?”
He carefully tucks a lock of hair behind my ear, the gentle gesture undoing me. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Let’s just enjoy the moment. Can you do that?”
I bite my lip, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. I so want to enjoy the moment because it means I can have him. “I need some time.” I stand. “I’m going to take a walk. Clear my head.”
“But lunch is on its way.”
“I’ll grab something when I’m out.”
He pulls out his wallet and hands me some bills. “I’ll be here. Take as long as you need. Call me if you get lost.”
I take the cash. I still only have US bills. “Thanks.”
I grab my coat and purse and rush out the door. The guards nod at me, but otherwise don’t seem surprised by my sudden departure. I don’t know if they were listening or if all of Phillip’s women take off after their night together. Stop that. He cares for you.
I need food first to think clearly. I stop at a small patisserie and get myself a chocolate croissant and coffee. It’s exactly what I need, the croissant buttery and sweet, the caffeine waking me up.
I take a look around and head toward a park in the distance. Once there, I walk every path there is and then reverse it, until finally I stop and take a seat on a bench. If I go home—back to my family and building my business—it means I leave Phillip behind forever. My throat tightens. I’m already in deep enough to know that will be hard. I’ll catch glimpses of him in the news as he does his charitable work, lending his name and warm personal touch to a great cause. Paris and our time on Villroy will be a precious bittersweet memory. But if I travel with him for five weeks on the Global Sun Water tour, building more memories with him, it ultimately ends in the same place, me going home without him.
Either way, I have Phillip as a precious bittersweet memory.
Either way, I end up alone.
Either way, I love him.
I do. It’s too late to protect my heart. The only question is, would anything change in those five weeks that could possibly mean I don’t end up alone? Is it, as Phillip said, worth the risk to give us a chance? Is there some way we could have a future together?
He’s going to be the freaking UN Ambassador for Clean Water, traveling wherever they need him. I have a life in Tampa. He’d be wasted there. He belongs on the world stage, and I would just be background, an appendage to his work. I want something for myself. Where is the common ground?
It’s just five weeks, a voice in my head whispers. Take what happiness you can.
I slowly get to my feet. I want to be happy.
I want Phillip.
That’s all that matters. What we have is special. I will enjoy the moment because moments are all we have. Nothing in life is a sure thing, and love is worth the risk.
I turn and walk briskly back to the hotel, my heart racing, cheeks flushed, a lightness to my step. I realize suddenly I’m smiling. I hurry through the lobby, back to our suite, and knock on the door. “It’s Ruby.” I don’t have the key.
Rafe’s voice barks behind me, “Ruby for you, sir.”
Guard confirmation, check. The door opens and Phillip’s gaze searches my face.
I step inside, the door shutting behind me. I throw my arms up, a beaming smile on my face. “Yes!”
“Ruby.” That one word is filled with so much—warmth, gratitude, happiness. He pulls me into his arms, and I melt against him, wrapping my arms around his waist and settling my cheek on his chest, a deep sense of contentment filling me. This is our moment and it is perfect. I have no doubt that he cares for me as much as I do him. I won’t think of the future. I have to enjoy the now.
He kisses the top of my head. “I have a good feeling about this. Thank you.”
I look up at him and work to keep it light. “Don’t thank me. You’ll probably get sick of me.” We’ll probably wreck each other. I ruthlessly push that fear down. Here and now is all that matters. I can’t believe I’m doing this. It’s like the adrenaline rush as the roller-coaster car lurches bit by bit up the towering hill, knowing there’s a plunge ahead. I’m plunging, baby!
“I could never get sick of you.” He hugs me tight and my entire body relaxes. How can I be scared when I feel so right in his arms?
He straightens. “There will be a lot of press. I won’t deny it will help me reputation-wise to be seen with you for a steady five weeks after all that royal hottie business. Would you mind if we let people believe we have a committed relationship?”
I nod, already liking where this is going. “I’m happy to restore your rep. What would I have to do? Pretend we’re engaged or something?”
“No. You don’t have to lie. Just look at me adoringly, as you do.” He winks, and I laugh a little. Do I do that? I should be embarrassed, but I enjoy him too much to pretend otherwise. “The press and gossips will put together their own version of events. It’ll look good that you and I are seen together doing great work for the entirety of my five-week tour.”
“Wow. Me on a global tour. Pretty cool.”
He grimaces. “It’s not a vacation kind of trip. Some of the places are rough, but the people are wonderful.”
“Where are we going?”
“Africa, Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and India.”
Whoa. “Did you know that my trip to Villroy was the first time I ever left the US?”
“No. How do you like travelling with me so far?”
“I love it.”
He smiles, his eyes so warm on mine I can feel the love. All of me lights up, inside and out, my heart filled to bursting. I slowly lean in and kiss him. Another perfect moment. I’ll collect them like pearls on a necklace and treasure them for the beautiful gift they are. Moment by moment, pearl by pearl, no one can take that away from me.
Chapter Eleven
Phillip
We return to the palace on Saturday in time to join Anna, Gabriel, and her guests for dinner in the formal dining room. We were delayed in Paris because I needed to get Ruby to a doctor for a yellow fever vaccination and health clearance. I’m hoping when Ruby sees the important work I’m doing with Global Sun Water, she’ll join the cause and accompany me on the next journey working for the UN on behalf of clean water. It will become our mutual calling. I know she wants to “prove herself” in her career, but there’s just no comparison between decorating and bringing clean water to people who desperately need it. My work is more important, and it can be her work too. We’ll fit in visits to family. She’ll want for nothing. I exhale sharply. I’m getting ahead of myself because—
I love her.
I know it, and I’m sure she knows it too. I’m done fighting it, done worrying about the risks. It’s simply a fact. Somehow my inability to commit doesn’t factor with her. She fits so easily, so naturally with me. I’m truly happy for the first time in a long while. I’m all in, and I’ll do my best to get her on board. Anna will simply have to get used to it. Honestly, once we left Villroy, I was too caught up in Ruby to give Anna’s warning to keep my hands off Ruby any thought at all. It doesn’t matter. I love Ruby and I would never hurt her.
I guide her to a chair near where Anna will be sitting at the head of the table with Gabriel, and pull it out for her. Anna and Gabriel will arrive shortly. Anna’s friends are filtering in, talking excitedly.
Ruby looks up at me adoringly. I don’t need the words when it’s written all over her beautiful face. She loves me.
“Thank you,” she says, taking the offered seat. “Prince training school must include primo lessons on manners.”
I laugh and take the seat next to her. “And so much more.”
She leans close and kisses me. “Don’t I know it.”
“Omigod!” a woman screeches. “You two are together? That must’ve been some date!”
It’s the black-
haired woman who bid outrageously on me. “Yes, we’re together,” I tell her. “I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Mindy.”
“Thank you for your bid, Mindy. All of this was for a great cause. I know Anna is pleased.”
She nods and turns to Ruby. “Did he really take you to Paris?”
Ruby smiles tightly. “Yes. Dinner in Paris. And Phillip played tour guide.”
“Wow. The other princes stayed local. Picnic on the beach, private dinner in the royal dining room, that kind of thing. You got lucky.”
“Yes. Well.” Ruby flushes bright pink and looks to me like help me out here.
I smile at Mindy. “Ruby was here early to lend a hand with the guest suite. We’ve gotten to know each other well on her extended visit. That’s why our date was a little more elaborate than the other auction dates.”
Mindy nods. “Ruby, I’m so looking forward to your consultation. I just bought a house and it’s practically a blank slate. I can’t wait to have you work your magic on it.”
“Absolutely!” Ruby says. “I’m looking forward to it too. I’ll be back in Tampa in early November. About five weeks from now. Is that okay?”
Mindy frowns. “Bummer. I was really hoping to have some furniture before Thanksgiving. I’m hosting this year.”
“I could help you by email, or, if you let me know what you like, maybe we could look over a few ideas before you leave.”
“Not much time. I leave tomorrow.”
“Sorry,” Ruby says. “Please keep me in mind for when I return. I’m really looking forward to working with you.” There’s a hint of desperation in her voice.
“Sure,” Mindy says with a tight smile.
Ruby immediately stands and visits with the other women, probably trying to lock down her new clients. She’s smiling brightly, but I can tell she’s tense. She’s afraid to lose them. If she’s with me, she won’t need to work. I keep that to myself. She wants to prove herself, but there are other more important ways she can do that.
When she returns to her seat, I whisper to her, “Try not to come off as desperate. Better to look confident like you’re already a success.”
She bares her teeth at me and whispers, “I am desperate. I need the work.”
A servant opens the dining room door and announces, “Their Majesties, King Gabriel and Queen Anna.”
We all stand. I bow my head to them both and signal to Anna’s friends, not used to royal protocol, to follow suit. Ruby bows her head and curtsies and the women catch on. Gabriel dressed for dinner in a light gray suit. Anna is in a sleeveless black dress that clings to her curvy body. Now that she’s queen, she’s declared exposed shoulders are fine for royal women, though she’s bowed to the protocol to keep her cleavage covered after the gossips had a field day with a series of pictures of her in her revealing wardrobe. She agreed that wasn’t the focus she wanted on Villroy’s monarchy, even though she thought they were all repressed asses. She’s first and foremost concerned with Villroy’s future.
Gabriel walks at her side, his hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward their seats. As king and with royal bloodlines, his place is at the head of the table, hers adjacent to him.
He waits for her to take her seat before taking his. “Please have a seat,” Gabriel says with a warm smile to the rest of us. “So nice to see you all.”
Wow. Gabriel was never much of a smiler before Anna. It’s great to see.
Anna beams. “Thank you all so much for coming all this way to help me and Gabriel with our passion project. It’s because of you that we’re able to move forward with the next phase, the day spa and natural beauty product line. And you’re all invited back when it’s complete for free spa treatments! I want you to be my very first guests!”
The women cheer and talk all at once.
“Thank you!”
“You’re the best!”
“You rock, Anna!”
“Ha!” Anna says. “Don’t thank me yet. You’re secretly my guinea pigs. I know I can count on your honest opinion on everything. Plus you’re all veterans of the spa experience.”
The women are excited, except Ruby, who looks worried. Maybe she’s still thinking of the potential loss of her new clients.
The servants bring in the first course and the women quiet down.
Anna is next to Ruby and leans past her to look at me. “Phillip, Ruby tells me you’ve been good to her. Keep it up, please.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I intone.
She laughs. “Okay, you can say it, I misjudged you. I’m happy so long as she’s happy. And, Ruby, I’m so excited you get to go on this tour!” Ruby called ahead to let Anna know about the change in travel plans, and I guess she shared about our relationship too. I have a relationship. It doesn’t hold that charge of horror it used to. Instead it just feels incredibly amazing.
“I’m excited about the tour.” Ruby lowers her voice, and I lean close to listen. “I’m a little worried that when I get home, I won’t have any career to speak of. I’ve been really excited about all the new clients. So far, your friends aren’t too keen on waiting. I understand. They’re excited, and by the time I get back, it’s close to the holidays—Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. They don’t want their homes to be in upheaval while trying to enjoy the holidays, so it just means a longer wait.”
Anna sends me a pointed look. I’m not sure what she wants me to say, so I just speak from the heart. “You’re worth waiting for, Ruby. They’ll see.”
Ruby rolls her eyes and whispers to me, “It’s not that simple. Americans don’t like to wait. They’re used to instant gratification. They’ll move on.”
“Then you’ll find other work.”
Anna nods. “You’ll land on your feet, Ruby. I’d love to offer you a job, but I’m afraid it’ll be a while before we get to the point where we need interior design again.”
“And I’ll help you find work,” I tell her. “Better work.”
Her brows scrunch together. “What do you mean better work?”
I hesitate. I don’t want to flat out say her work isn’t important, but, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not. I keep my voice low. “No one’s career was ruined by waiting five weeks.”
She opens her mouth and then shuts it. “This isn’t the right place to talk.”
“Agreed.”
She stabs a shrimp in her shrimp cocktail. “But I’m not sure you understand about careers, being a prince.”
Anna widens her eyes and turns to talk to Gabriel. Ruby was a little snippy. I’m not going to fight with her. She’ll see the right path soon enough.
I move on to more pressing matters with Ruby. “Tomorrow we’ll go over the itinerary with the press secretary. He’ll be accompanying us, along with security and my valet. Would you like a maid to attend to you?”
“I’m fine on my own.” Still snippy.
I try for a joking tone. “Is it because your maid has a crush on me and you’re overcome by jealousy?”
She gives me a sideways look and I grin. She shakes her head, smiling. “Big head.”
“I need it for these big shoulders.”
Anna catches my eye and smiles at me. It gives me a boost to know she approves of the match after telling me to keep my distance earlier. Ruby will already have a close friend on the inside, which will make her transition to royal life easier. All I need to do is cement our relationship in these next five weeks. And that begins now.
I shift to whisper in her ear, “You’ll be staying in my suite at the palace starting tonight.”
She whispers back fiercely, “You could occasionally make your requests in the form of a question, Your Highness. Otherwise, you sound demanding, which is irritating to an independent-minded woman like myself. Just FYI.” She never calls me Your Highness, not even from the first moment we met when it would’ve been proper. She must really be pissed about all this potential client business.
“But it’s not a quest
ion,” I inform her. “It’s a fact.”
“Would you like to stay in my suite?” she asks.
“No, darling. You’re staying in my suite.”
She studies me. “I can’t tell if you’re being deliberately obtuse or you’re so used to getting what you want that you don’t know any other way to be.”
I dig into my shrimp cocktail. They both sound bad. Also, it was the first thing. I can be very accommodating, but not with her. Not until I cement this thing between us. After we’re a definite thing, I’ll give her anything she wants as long as she’s by my side.
She leans close. “I’ll generously say you’re being obtuse on purpose because you want me that bad. Mostly because it makes me feel good to think it. If you turn out to be a demanding a-hole, well, that’s not gonna fly with me.”
I shake my head. “Once again you wound me, Ruby. Now thank me for the kind invitation.”
Her head whips toward me. I force a straight face, and she cracks up. She can’t stay mad at me because she loves me.
“You offer so many things to give thanks for,” she says with a smile.
“I’m very princely that way.”
She leans against my side for a moment, pressing her shoulder against my arm before straightening and taking a drink of wine.
“I got us another box of chocolates.”
She chokes on her wine, and I pat her back. She knows what I really mean.
“Five, actually,” I add. “It’s a long trip.”
“Okay over there?” Anna asks us.
I nod. “She’s fine. Just went down the wrong pipe.”
Ruby holds up a finger while she coughs. Finally she calms down, wipes her eyes, and tells Anna, “Your brother-in-law has a wicked sense of humor.”
“Does he, now?” Anna asks, resting her chin on her hand. “What’s so funny?”
Ruby turns to me. I keep my mouth shut. I’m not sharing that.