Spring Romance: NINE Happily Ever Afters

by Tessa Bailey

He stands and looks down at me. “I’m so disappointed in you. You’re selling out for what? Money? Prestige? An ego boost?”

  I leap to my feet. “I’m not selling out! I know this must be hard for you to understand since you never had to work a day in your life, but having a career I can be proud of means a lot to me. It’s not selling out to want to take care of yourself.”

  He takes both my hands. “I’ll take care of you. Stay by my side and you’ll want for nothing. We’ll continue on this important path together. Come with me to my meeting at the UN and let them know you want to be part of it.”

  I’m torn by the sincerity in his voice. I don’t want to leave him, but I also don’t want to give up what’s important to me. I’ll lose myself. Worse, he seems to want that, believing what I do is not worth a thing. But it is to me, and I know it brings joy to others. I won’t allow myself to be his appendage, dependent on him for everything. That’s just not how I’m made. I want, no, I need to stand on my own two feet.

  He gives my hands a squeeze. “Don’t underestimate the good PR we represent together. We’re the power couple.”

  My shoulders slump. That seals it for me. I can feel myself retreating from him and this public world he lives for.

  “Phillip, I care about you a lot.” My voice breaks, choked with emotion, and I take a deep breath. “But this is your path, not mine. I don’t want to be there just for PR and photo opportunities. Let’s…how about this? We’ll stay in touch, we’ll visit whenever we can, and-and…”

  He pulls away.

  “I’ll be cheering you on,” I finish lamely. There’s no easy way to merge our two paths, but I’m not ready to let go of him.

  He crosses his arms and frowns. “Maybe I don’t know you as well as I thought I did. I thought we were on the same page. Same values, same cause.”

  I don’t know what to say. Maybe he’s right. I can’t make myself into whatever ideal image he had of me. I’ve been honest with him. His work is important, but it’s not my work. And it’s clear he doesn’t value my work.

  He goes to the balcony window and jerks the curtains open. The setting sun casts him in shadow, a proud regal figure, shoulders back, legs spread apart. He conquers whatever he sets his mind to. He has no idea what it is to struggle, to have to work hard, to need to achieve anything. Our two different worlds can never coexist. He belongs on the world stage, and I need to be grounded, working at what I’m good at, carving out my own niche in the world. And my family means everything to me. As an only child, I’m close with my parents, and I want to be close with my sister too.

  I worry my lower lip. Phillip and I got so close on this trip too, living and working together. God, I hate the distance between us right now. “We still have a week together.”

  He doesn’t bother to turn around. “I think it would be best if you leave now.”

  I gasp, my stomach dropping. “That’s it? We’re done?”

  He turns, his expression hard. “Do you expect me to pretend everything is good between us?”

  “It could be. We still…we connected. I—”

  “We’re on two diverging paths,” he says coolly. “Let’s not make this any harder than it needs to be.”

  I stumble back, shocked at his dismissal.

  He pulls out his phone. “You needn’t look so stricken. This was your choice. I asked you to join me; you declined.”

  I lift my chin, tears blurring my vision. “Then I’ll go!” I wipe at my eyes, grab my purse, and rush to the bedroom, looking around for my suitcase.

  Phillip appears in the doorway. “I’m calling my valet. He’ll pack for you and accompany you to the airport.”

  “Don’t bother!” I find the suitcase in the huge walk-in closet and wheel it out, tossing it on the bed and unzipping it.

  “I told you I’m taking care of it.”

  I hate how calm he is, like it means nothing to him that I’m leaving. Like we meant nothing at all! I grab my stuff from the dresser drawer in one big scoop and toss it in the suitcase.

  He walks out of the bedroom, done with me and my annoying independence. No problem because I’m done with him and his demands. It’s his way or no way. Forget that!

  I empty the second drawer of clothes and cram everything in. The closet holds all the formal wear Phillip bought me, and I leave it all behind.

  I head for the bathroom, grab my toiletry bag, and stuff everything inside it in a mad rush. I toss the bag in the suitcase, zip up the case, and wheel it to the living room, where Phillip is sitting on the sofa, looking at his phone.

  “I’ll pay for a cab and find my own way home,” I tell him.

  He doesn’t reply.

  “Bye,” I snap.

  Nothing.

  His cold dismissal only fuels my need to escape. I whirl and rush through the door to the outside hallway, slamming face-first into the hard chest of a security guard. I look up into Rafe’s glowering expression. “Move it. I’m going home.”

  “No, ma’am. It’s not safe for you alone. Please wait inside for the necessary arrangements.”

  “Okay, okay.” I turn back toward the door and then skirt left, taking off down the hall, my suitcase bumping along behind me. “Ah!” I yelp a moment later, restrained by arms of steel, my feet lifted right off the ground. It’s Rafe, carrying me and depositing me back in the living room with Phillip. My suitcase follows a moment later. So humiliating.

  “Don’t try that again,” Rafe growls before shutting the door.

  I seethe.

  Phillip shakes his head. “Impulsive, self-centered, money-centered. You are not the woman I thought you were.”

  I lose it, gesturing wildly. “You’re exactly who I thought you were when we first met! Full of yourself and your press! You don’t understand needing money or wanting to work hard because that’s never been part of your life. If you want something, all you have to do is pick up the phone and the world drops at your feet.”

  He speaks into his phone, making arrangements and ignoring me.

  I jab a finger at him. “See! You just proved my point!”

  He punches the button to disconnect. His eyes are cold, his voice flat. “I won’t deny I’ve been fortunate, but I resent you acting like that’s all I am. I’m using my advantages to help the unfortunate.”

  I glare at him. “Make sure you order a really big halo!”

  He glares back. “I’m providing clean water and education. All you do is add pretty wallpaper to a wealthy woman’s master bath!”

  I want to slap the self-righteous smug expression off his face. “Fuck you!”

  He smirks. “We’ve done plenty of that, haven’t we? Maybe that’s where I went wrong, confusing sexual compatibility for any real-world compatibility.”

  I hate his haughty tone, like he’s above me in every way. “You’re not better than me just because you do charitable work. Every contribution can be meaningful if it comes from the heart.”

  “Keep telling yourself that when you’re picking out curtains. How heartfelt. How important.”

  I gasp. He’s reduced me to insignificant. I am not insignificant! “How dare you condescend to me!”

  There’s a knock at the door.

  Phillip shoots me a look of disgust before answering the door. We’re joined a moment later by his valet, who bows to Phillip before heading to the bedroom. I follow him in to find him checking the dresser drawers for my things.

  “I’ve already packed.”

  He moves to the closet.

  “Leave the gowns. They’re not mine.”

  “You might as well take them,” Phillip says from behind me. “I doubt they’ll fit anyone else. Small clothes for a small-minded person.”

  I whirl. “Go to hell.”

  He laughs, a mean laugh.

  I’ve had enough. I will not engage with him any further. I turn away and tell the valet, “Leave them.”

  The valet takes my suitcase in hand. “Ma’am, when you’re ready.”
/>   I nod and follow him out the door.

  No goodbyes, nothing. Phillip and I are done.

  I’m dry-eyed, filled with indignation at his callous treatment all the way to the airport. He’s put me on a first-class nonstop to New York. I’ll transfer from there back to my normal life in Tampa, back to my old bedroom in my parents’ house, and start over, building my career with my new prospects. This was all a dream. Not my reality.

  The flight attendant immediately fusses over me with a glass of champagne, warm nuts, a soft blanket, and a complimentary gift box, which I don’t bother to open. All this luxury reminds me of the life I’m leaving behind with Phillip. I can’t wait to get home and put all reminders of him behind me.

  It isn’t until the plane takes off that the tears come.

  They don’t stop for a very long time.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Phillip

  My fury at Ruby lasted three solid days. I don’t think anyone has ever made me more furious in my life. She chose a job over me, turned her back on what could have been an important path to take together. But when my fury fades, what’s left is a deep grief that guts me. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can barely focus on what I’m here to do. I can’t even muster a smile for the people I meet in dire need of clean water. I drag myself through the days and finally cut it short a few days early, explaining to the Global Sun Water people that I’m ill and need to return home to recuperate.

  I want to fix this thing with Ruby face-to-face, but I have to stop home first for Gabriel and Anna. They need the jet for a trip to Tampa, where Anna and Ruby are from. It’s the fastest most direct way to get them there. Anna’s foster father, Mike, who’s been very ill from lung cancer, is asking for her.

  The jet is being refueled and going through safety checks in France, so I have time to stop at home. The yacht is waiting to get me there fast. I meet up with Gabriel and Anna at the palace, where Gabriel is pacing outside their suite in the west wing.

  “How is she?” I ask.

  He jams a hand in his hair. “She insists on packing herself, but she’s crying, and it’s taking forever. She won’t even let me help.”

  “I need to do for myself, Gabriel!” Anna hollers through the open door of their suite. “It’s the one thing I can control.”

  I peek into the room. “Hi, Anna. I’m really sorry to hear about Mike.”

  “You’re here!” She squashes her suitcase and zips it closed. “Let’s go.” She wheels her suitcase out.

  Gabriel tries to take it from her, but she pulls it away. She rushes ahead of us toward the stairs. Gabriel signals for a servant to assist her.

  “I’m going with you,” I tell Gabriel. “Ruby is in Tampa now. I mucked things up and need to fix it.”

  He halts. “You’re leaving too? I was going to put you in charge. I have a few duties to attend to and I need you to fill in. Fuck. Lucas?”

  The royal duties fall in line with whoever is closest to the throne. Next in line after me is Lucas, the bachelor who caused a riot.

  “Unless you want to ask Mother,” I offer. “I’m sorry, but it’s urgent I see Ruby.”

  He scowls. “You know our mother’s in a delicate state right now.” He stalks off, barking out a series of orders to some nearby footmen.

  A short while later, we’re all in the waiting Mercedes, the luggage being packed into the trunk, when Lucas knocks on the back window. Anna powers it down.

  Lucas’s eyes are sympathetic. “Take care, Anna. I’ll be thinking of you and Mike.”

  She gives him a watery smile, reaches out, and squeezes his hand. “Thank you.”

  He turns to Gabriel and gives him a sharp salute before doing an about-face and marching back to the palace.

  “Hopefully the palace will still be standing when I return,” Gabriel mutters.

  I can’t worry about Lucas and what he might do. My mind is on what lies ahead. Gabriel is busy comforting Anna, who’s subdued. I have plenty of time to think on our journey, and what I conclude is this—I need Ruby in my life. In all my excitement over making a contribution to the world, I forgot the most important thing. None of this means anything without love in my life. I should’ve started with that. I should’ve told her how much I love her. I hurt her. I wanted to hurt her and that was petty and wrong. She was right that I don’t know what it’s like to have career ambition. I’ve never had a job, never built a career. Maybe that’s why my work on behalf of clean water became so important to me. For the first time in my life, I felt useful, needed, like what I did mattered. But none of that matters without her.

  When we’re on the jet, Anna takes a nap. Afterward, she takes the seat next to me. “Gabriel says its urgent you see Ruby to fix things between you. What happened?”

  “I screwed up horribly.”

  “I’m sure it’s not that bad. I know you have strong feelings for her. It’s written all over your face.”

  I press my lips together for a moment, touched by her faith in me, however misplaced, and then I tell her everything, all the glorious highs and the really terrible low of our trip together.

  “Damn, Phillip, were you trying to push her away?”

  “No!” Was I? Did I sabotage it on purpose, still afraid of a real commitment because of Lana’s betrayal? I’d hate to think that was the case. That can’t be. I truly do love Ruby. Why didn’t I tell her that? I’m such an idiot. I assumed way too much—that she knew I loved her, that she’d agree that my work was the best way for us to have a life together. I didn’t even consider any other option.

  “I didn’t mean to push her away,” I say miserably. “I was trying to pull her with me in a misguided stupid way.”

  “Really stupid. Do you think I would’ve stayed with Gabriel if he told me my job as a hairdresser was meaningless and insignificant? Or if he looked down on the fact that I was the handywoman for my apartment building?”

  I open my mouth to argue that it’s different because Anna’s work is now relevant to the kingdom, but she barrels on before I can get a word out.

  “Hell no! I would’ve sent him packing if he acted that way, but he didn’t. He applauded what I had achieved because he loved and respected me. If you actually love and respect Ruby, you’ve got a long way to go to prove it. I’m sure you made her feel like used gum on the bottom of your shoe. Less than.”

  Bile rises in my throat as Ruby’s words come back to me. You’re not better than me just because you do charitable work. Every contribution can be meaningful if it comes from the heart. Her work means a lot to her, which is all that matters. I ranked her worth below mine when it’s not. She’s everything to me, above me in the ways that count—open, warm, and loving. And I was wretched to her.

  Anna pats my arm. “I can see you’re getting it now. Make sure you really grovel.” She returns to her seat.

  By the time the hired limo pulls up to Ruby’s parents’ modest one-story peach stucco home in a suburban development, I’m so nervous I can barely think straight. I can’t screw this up.

  Anna hollers at me on my way out of the car, “Grovel like you mean it!”

  I lift a hand in acknowledgment and walk up the front sidewalk. Princes don’t grovel. It’s not in my DNA. But I will right the wrong, correct course, and say what I should’ve said the first time around. I love her and that is what will make everything work out. It has to. Of course, it’s not at all a sure thing. I didn’t call ahead for fear she wouldn’t see me.

  I’m dressed casually in an aquamarine button-down shirt that matches my eyes (Ruby often complimented my eye color, marveling at it), black trousers, and black leather shoes. I’m carrying a bouquet of roses, which Anna said is a necessary item for the classic grovel. It’s my only concession to groveling.

  Rafe and Henry stand behind me on the concrete porch, waiting for me to get up the nerve to ring the bell. There’s a screen door and a white front door. I debate knocking on one or the other instead of ringing the bell. Damn nerves. I pr
ess the bell.

  The door opens a few moments later to a petite woman with a short cap of dirty blond hair. This must be Ruby’s mother. She leaves the screen door shut and peers through it at me. “Yes?”

  I force a smile. “Hello, I’m Phillip Rourke. These are my guards. I’m here to see Ruby.”

  Her eyes widen. “You’re the royal hottie!” She yanks open the screen door, her pregnant stomach large and round under a yellow T-shirt. “Come in before the neighbors get wind of you! Edward, the prince is here! Ruby!”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” I step into a living room tastefully decorated with a white sofa and matching armchairs, a honey-colored wood coffee table and end tables. I suspect Ruby had something to do with the way the room was pulled together. It looks like something out of a magazine. Elegant in its simplicity.

  “Please have a seat,” she says, gesturing for us to take the sofa. “I’m Eileen. Eeep! This is so exciting! Your Highness, the royal hottie, right here in my living room!”

  I take a seat. “Just Phillip will suffice.”

  She looks at the guards still standing by the front door and turns back to me. “Can I get you anything?”

  “Just Ruby, please.”

  “I’ll be right back!”

  The house isn’t soundproof in the least, and I can clearly hear her as she rushes down the hallway and hollers, “Edward, hurry up in the bathroom! There’s a prince in the living room. Yes! The one Ruby’s been bitching about!”

  I shift in my seat. Her mother has been very cordial considering her daughter’s been bitching about me. I catch Rafe’s eye. He and Henry look amused. Nothing like witnesses to your grovel.

  A moment later, we hear someone pounding on a door and rattling the knob. Then Eileen hollers, “Unlock the door this minute! Phillip is here to see you!”

  I can’t hear Ruby’s response muffled by the door.

  “Ruby Evans, I will unscrew these hinges and pull you out by the hair if you don’t get your butt out here!”

  Her father chimes in. “That will take too long. I’ll go to the window and pull her out that way.”

  Perhaps her parents are eager to get rid of her. Ruby did say they needed her room for the baby. That will only help my cause.