Zeke flashed a brilliant smile that took David aback. “Really well. I’ve never met a girl who laughed at my jokes before.”
David grinned. Maybe that’s because of the jokes! But he was thrilled to see his friend so happy. The therapy, and maybe even drama club, appeared to really be doing wonders for his social life and self-confidence.
“That’s awesome, mate,” David replied. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he reached down to glance at it. A text from Katy.
Get your grades back yet? Want to meet in the coffee shop by the book store?
“Well, I better get back to packing. Need to get up to the airport in an hour,” Zeke said.
David stood, pushing away from his desk chair, and faced his friend. “I’m going to meet Katy for coffee. Guess I’ll see you come spring semester.”
Zeke smiled and stepped forward, offering a hug. “Thanks for everything this semester, mate. Wouldn’t have made it without you.”
David returned Zeke’s hug with genuine affection. “Any time.” After a few long seconds, they pulled away, and Zeke turned back to his packing.
David offered one last wave at his friend from the bedroom door before he retreated down the hall and toward the Yard—toward Katy.
The December weather was desperately cold in Cambridge. David wondered what the climate would be like in Lorria. Would it be snowy? A dry cold? He had never been, mostly because accommodations in the small, prosperous country were so expensive. His adoptive family had done some traveling around Europe, but Lorria had always been out of their price range. He’d never even met anyone from Lorria before, with the exception of Katy.
Beautiful, graceful Katy. David tucked his chin down to brace against the cold wind as he walked along the sidewalk. He’d be spending the next couple of weeks in Katy’s company, and he was utterly delighted about it. Granted, he’d rather they could go somewhere alone—maybe even tropical—and be away from her overbearing cousin. And David was a bit concerned about how Katy’s parents would feel about his arrival. Regardless, he was excited to talk the details through with the girl herself. They’d barely seen each other since finals had begun, although they had been texting.
He stepped into the coffee shop and immediately breathed out in relief just to be out of the cold. The place was nowhere near as busy as it usually was. Many students had already returned home for the winter. David spotted Katy at a small wooden table, sitting alone and holding a steaming mug. Her face lit up when she saw him, and David’s heart ballooned.
“So?” Katy asked intriguingly as David approached her table. He pulled out a chair and sat.
“So?” he repeated in confusion.
“How’d you do? Finals?” Katy clarified. She had a mirth and brightness to her that gave David the impression that she herself had fared well.
“Not too shabby,” he replied. “I’m happy. What about you?”
“All A’s!” she said with a smile. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can,” David said. He’d known Katy was intelligent almost as soon as he knew her name. And every second that he had spent with her since had further verified that assumption.
Katy shyly tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear and looked down at her coffee.
“Your hair looks lovely,” David said. “Maybe I should start moonlighting as a stylist.”
Katy giggled. “Thanks. And yeah, you’re a natural. Bring a pair of shears and you can commission the girls on staff in Lorria.”
David raised an eyebrow. “Girls on staff?”
“Oh,” Katy started, “I meant the girls who work in the palace. I mean, there are guys too.” She blushed and seemed to be regretting her joke.
“A palace with a staff,” David repeated, awestruck. “Wow.” And here comes a commoner to ruin the ambience. He felt his stomach knot.
“It’s not as formal as I’m making it out to be,” Katy reassured him. “It’s just a big place, so my parents hire people to help clean and cook and . . . other stuff.”
“Other stuff?” David probed.
“Well, like maintain the runs and operate the ski lifts.”
David’s jaw dropped a bit. “Wait, so this is a private ski resort?”
Katy swallowed. “I swear, it’s not what you’re picturing. It’s not like we play host to dukes or duchesses every weekend or have big elaborate dinner parties. It’ll just be us, my parents, and some employees that work for my parents. And a ton of beautiful ski runs!”
David cleared his throat. He’d probably better tell her now and get it over with. “I’ve never skied before.”
David could change the oil in a car, build a birdhouse, or cook a lasagna. It wasn’t like he was completely unskilled. He had just never gone skiing before. Still, he was feeling somewhat embarrassed, and the more Katy told him about the place, the more that embarrassment grew.
“Everyone has to start somewhere,” Katy said gently. “I could help you. It’s like learning how to ride a bike.” She smiled sweetly.
Even through his nerves, David couldn’t help but smile back, his face mirroring hers. He was comfortable enough in his masculinity that he could accept, even appreciate, Katy’s help. And maybe, just maybe, she’d have to put her hands on him to correct his form or show him how to position himself. David wouldn’t mind that at all.
“What about Cassie?” David ventured. Although she seemed to have backed off somewhat from her very obvious attempts at flirting with him since the disastrous mini play, he didn’t feel like rebuffing her for the better part of a month.
“Cassie knows when to stop,” Katy replied, her eyes cautious, but looking much more relaxed than she often did when they talked about her roommate.
“So . . . when do we leave?” David asked slowly. He was excited to go, though he was still having trouble accepting the trip as reality. He just hoped that Katy wouldn’t regret inviting him, for either royal or personal reasons.
“Whenever we want,” Katy replied to David’s confusion. “I’m packing now, but I didn’t know if you’d be ready to leave this weekend or if you needed a few more days.”
“I travel light,” David said. “Won’t take me long at all, and I’m sure you’re ready to get back to see your parents. But I might need to go buy some ski gear.”
“That’s all covered,” Katy said. “We keep an assortment for visitors. Just pack the necessities and text me when you’re done?” She downed the dregs of her latte. “I’m going to call and make arrangements for us to leave tonight. It’s quite a flight.”
David nodded. “Okay. One americano to go, and I’ll get to it.”
Katy stood and grabbed her coat off the back of her chair, sliding it over her slender shoulders. “See you soon, David.”
David stood and took a step toward the coffee bar. “See you soon.”
He arrived at Katy’s house later that evening, packed and showered and wearing his heavy coat, just as a light dusting of snow was beginning to fall. Cassie answered the door, her blonde hair capped with a beret.
“David!” she greeted him, brimming with excitement. “So glad you’re joining us. Come in. The car will be here soon.”
David adjusted his backpack on his shoulders and walked into the house. The spacious, tastefully decorated living room was empty.
“Everyone left for the holidays?” David asked, making polite conversation.
“Michelle leaves tomorrow. She’s on a date right now, though,” Cassie replied.
“Is David here?” Katy’s voice called out from the direction of the kitchen.
“Present!” David replied. Nice dad joke, mate.
Katy peeked her head around the corner with a dazzling smile that made all thoughts of his flat joke flee his mind. “Oh, good. The car should be pulling up any minute. Are your bags on the porch?”
“Um,” David replied. He turned to the side to show his backpack.
“Ah,” Katy said. “You do pack light.”
“Men are lucky l
ike that,” Cassie interjected, waving her hand toward a pile of expensive-looking luggage that was beside the front door.
Geez. Did they pack everything they own?
A horn honked outside, and then, seconds later, a rapping came at the door. Cassie opened the door and greeted a young man in a fitted suit.
“Madam,” the driver said with a bow. “May I take your things?”
“Thank you,” Cassie said in a flirtatious tone. She pointed to the pile of luggage.
David could’ve sworn he saw the driver’s eyes bulge a bit before he got to work. He jogged over to assist.
“Don’t worry about that, sir,” the driver said as David grabbed a heavy bag.
“I insist,” David replied. He realized that it was probably going to be a struggle being waited on by so many people over the course of the trip. He had always been one to offer a hand.
With the two men working together, the limousine waiting for them outside (not just a car . . . a limousine) was quickly loaded. Katy and Cassie came down last, and the chauffeur opened the door for them. David followed them into the sleek car, and the chauffeur shut the door behind him.
Inside, long rows of plush leather seats stretched along both sides of the car. On the right side, a small stocked bar (complete with crystal glassware) broke up the seat.
This type of luxury, and we haven’t even left campus yet.
David sat beside Katy and watched Cassie scoot over to the bar.
“Don’t you think this ride is a little . . . ostentatious?” Katy asked her cousin. David felt relieved. He was glad he wasn’t the only one who thought that way.
“Hey, lots of the students here have money. I’ve seen limos on campus before. Besides, I needed some glamour in my life.” Cassie smiled and turned back to the bar. “Ah, here we are. Bubbles.” She pulled a bottle of champagne out of the small fridge beneath the bar, deftly unwrapped the cork cage, and, using one thumb as leverage, popped the bottle open with a fizz. She grabbed three glasses.
“Oh, I’m all right,” Katy protested.
Cassie snorted. “Relax, it’s the non-alcoholic one.” She poured, then scooted back to David and Katy with three champagne flutes.
Katy gave a little grin and took a glass. David followed suit.
“To happy traveling,” Cassie started. She raised her glass. Katy and David clinked their flutes against hers. “Cheers.”
David took a small sip of the champagne to find that it was quite fine. This lifestyle was a bit extravagant to him. But, then again, it wasn’t unpleasant. Is this what the entire trip will be like? Perhaps I could get used to this.
David sipped his champagne and snuck a closer look at Katy. He noticed something different about her.
“Your eyes,” David said, the realization finally hitting him. Katy’s eyes weren’t green anymore. They were a cool, light gray.
“Contacts,” Katy confessed. She shrugged and looked away like she wanted to change the subject.
David stared into her eyes, adjusting to the new Katy. It was different, but it certainly wasn’t a bad look. She looked gorgeous either way. And now she’s becoming even more herself around you. That has to be a good sign.
“I like it,” David said simply. He wanted to say more, but with Cassie beside them he tried to hold back.
“Thank you,” Katy replied, looking up to meet David’s eyes. He felt a warmth spread through him. Then Cassie loudly downed her glass and the moment was lost.
David looked out of the car window for most of the drive. He would’ve joined in Cassie and Katy’s conversation more, but Cassie was lamenting mediocre final grades and Katy was providing a level of sympathy that felt too personal for David to infringe upon, other than offering a trite “There’s always next semester” that didn’t seem to go over very well.
When they arrived at the field, David was surprised to see that they weren’t being dropped off at the airport proper. Rather, they were being taken onto the tarmac in the direction of the private planes. When the car pulled up alongside a small plane with its air stairs down, it suddenly clicked for David.
Princesses don’t fly coach. They take private jets.
“It’s about a ten-hour flight,” Katy said as they stepped out onto the tarmac into the cold evening. “You can just sleep through it and wake up in Lorria.”
The jet pilot came down to assist the chauffeur with the bags while David lingered on the tarmac and stared at the aircraft, suddenly realizing just how exclusive this vacation truly was. They were taking a private jet to a private ski resort with its own staff of housekeepers, chefs, and maintenance. Oh yeah, and you’ll be hanging out with literal royalty the whole time.
“Just a rental,” Katy said, noticing him staring.
David chuckled. He appreciated her humility.
“Are you guys coming or what?” Cassie asked. She adjusted her beret, clutched a small designer purse under her arm, and headed up the stairs.
“Ready?” Katy asked.
David looked over at Katy, who was radiant in the runway lights, and grinned. “Ready.”
35
Katy
Katy watched David’s wide eyes trace the inside of the aircraft. She could bet she knew exactly what he was thinking. How gaudy.
The rented private jet was dripping with luxury, from chandeliers running down the cabin to original artwork on the walls. As David took a reclining leather seat, Katy worried what he must think of her.
Hopefully he knows that this isn’t really me. That he’s seen the real me.
But Katy wasn’t entirely certain. After all, David seemed to have had his doubts even before the trip began. She guessed his hesitation had been due to a feeling that he wouldn’t fit in, and the last thing she wanted to do was exacerbate those fears. But this ridiculous jet probably wasn’t helping anything.
Cassie seemed to pick up on David’s unease as well, though she tackled the subject with much less subtlety.
“Nervous flier?” she asked, leaning over the headrest of her seat directly in front of David. Katy was sitting across the aisle from David, watching the conversation uncomfortably. Pretty sure that’s not it, Cassie.
“No, this is all just . . . new to me,” David replied with a weak smile.
Cassie smiled. “Well, you haven’t seen anything yet!”
Katy winced. Not the right thing to say, girl!
David forced another smile. She watched him anxiously, wondering when he would finally say, “Forget it. Let me off this plane.” She had assured him that it wouldn’t be an overly formal, lavish trip. And here they were on a private jet lined with Jackson Pollocks, for goodness’ sake!
But as the jet began to roll forward on the tarmac, Katy breathed out a small sigh of relief. At least now she knew she’d get the opportunity to prove to David that, even in Lorria, she was still just Katy.
And money doesn’t change that.
After takeoff, Katy reclined in her seat and fell asleep relatively quickly. She was only awoken by the PA system the following morning, as the pilot alerted them that they were about to land.
Cassie yawned and pulled her silk eye mask off. “Finally!”
David sat up in his chair and stretched, his muscular arms reaching up to touch the ceiling above him and his chest puffing out. Katy admired it for a second, still groggy from sleep, until David looked over at her.
Uh-oh. Hopefully he didn’t know you were staring.
“Sleep well?” she asked.
“Better than well. These seats are so comfortable. I’m used to riding in coach next to a screaming baby. This is much better.”
Katy laughed. Perhaps David was growing more comfortable with the trip already. Maybe his nervousness really had just been takeoff jitters.
“How close will we be when we land?” David asked, pushing a book and his phone back into his backpack. The jet was making its descent, and they would be landing soon.
“It’s only about a half-hour drive from the a
irport. And now we’ll have the whole day for you to see the ski runs and the woods around our”—Katy paused, catching herself before using the word palace—“home.”
David’s warm smile seemed genuine. “I’m excited to see that. I love snowy woods. So peaceful.”
The plane touched down with a bump in Lorria. Katy looked out of her window to see familiar sights: snow-capped mountain ranges, the early-morning sun peeking through pink-tinted clouds, and stately conifers in the distance, blanketed with pure snow. It was nice being back home. Even with all of the pressures and responsibilities of her title and name, she couldn’t help but love her country fervently. Lorria was her favorite place in the world.
The plane eventually roared to a stop, and Cassie, Katy, and David stood and gathered their things as the pilot lowered the stairs. Afterward, he walked into the cabin.
“Your car is waiting on the tarmac, madam,” the pilot said.
Katy nodded, wishing she could politely request that no one else call her “madam” for the rest of her visit. But she knew her country’s customs would never allow for it. Lorria was known throughout Europe for its traditions and formalities.
As Katy grabbed her phone and purse and the pilot opened the cabin door, a familiar noise rushed to her ears, filling her with dread.
The click of cameras. Paparazzi.
The pilot quickly shut the door and turned to Katy. “I’m sorry, madam. It appears we’ve attracted attention.”
Katy peered out of her cabin window and saw that a crowd of maybe a dozen photographers had gathered on the tarmac beside them.
“Ugh,” Cassie groaned. “This is supposed to be a restricted area! Where is airport security?”
“What’s happening?” David asked in alarm, walking over to Katy’s side of the cabin to look out of the window. “Who are those people?”
“Photogs. Paps. Snakes. Whatever you want to call them. They’re a nuisance,” Cassie replied. “And I’m pretty sure they’re not allowed to be on the tarmac like that. We need an escort.”
A Love that Endures Page 31