“Are you here solely to make me prefer facing Mum’s daggers rather than your interrogation?”
Christopher pointed the way to where their mother was waiting. “After you, Your Royal Highness.”
Zander quickly took the red-carpeted grand staircase two by two and turned down the corridor of elders to the family quarters, dreading the latest run-in with his mother. He loved her dearly, but she just didn’t understand him very well. He opened a paneled door hidden by a large seventeenth-century oil painting and entered his mother’s private sitting room. His mother, dressed in a crisp ivory linen shift dress and matching pumps, got up from her Louis XIV mahogany desk and walked toward her son, heels clicking ominously on the inlaid wood floor.
“Mother, I can explain,” Zander said. He felt like he spent far too much of his time uttering those very words around her, from the time he had drawn mustaches with magic marker over the faces in a centuries-old family portrait when he was four to now, trying to dispel her annoyance with him yet again. “I met a woman I have feelings for. She’s lovely. And kind. And beautiful. And warm. And I wanted—no, I very much needed—to impress her.”
His mother raised a hand to stop him. No matter how old he was, she was always his mum, with her cropped brown hair and soft blue eyes. As mad as she could get at him, he knew deep down that they were on the same team.
“Alexander,” she said. “I’ve had time to think about this.”
Zander’s face lightened up. “So you’re not angry with me then?”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” she said, shaking her head. “But I’m practicing being in the moment and not letting little things get to me. Not that my son jumping from an airplane is little. But as your father reminded me, you could just as easily be hit by a bus crossing the street as hurt yourself jumping from sky. Nevertheless, what were you thinking?” She seemed to say that last bit despite herself, with a bit too much emphasis.
“So you’re disappointed in me?”
“No, I didn’t say that,” she said, coming around and putting her arm around his waist since his shoulder was too high for her to comfortably reach around. “I suppose I keep thinking about comportment. I was raised in an era in which much was expected from us as royals, both in our actions and in how we carried ourselves. I can assure you my father would never have allowed me to jump from an airplane. So I struggle with things like that, which are foreign to me. Your father and I want you children to have as normal of lives as possible under the circumstances, but there is that notion of ‘within reason.’ And I’m not sure jumping from a plane remains in that realm.”
Zander heaved a sigh of relief. His father had gotten to her first. He’d sanded down the sharp edge of his mother’s ire. He’d have to remember to thank him for his help.
“So what you’re saying is you’re not thrilled with it, but you understand that sometimes I have needs that must be fulfilled.”
His mother looked into his eyes, and he could see that she wasn’t being a queen, worried about the image of the royal family, but instead her apprehensions came from her role as a mother who was concerned for her child, regardless that he was now a man. “Please, honey, all I ask is that you use good judgment.”
“You know I always do, Mum,” Zander said with a crooked grin.
His mother shook her head. “Actually, no, I don’t know that.”
He shrugged. “Well, I try. Every now and again.”
Zander started to walk away, but his mother stopped him short.
“Not so fast,” she said, extending her arm so that he couldn’t pass.
Zander worried what now? Surely he hadn’t done anything else in the past day or two that would get him in trouble.
“Who’s the girl in the flight suit?”
“I think she’s someone special, Mum,” Zander said. “It’s early days, but she’s a great girl and we have a lot in common and seem to get along really well. I think you’ll like her.”
“That means I’m going to meet her?”
“Absolutely. I was hoping she could be my plus one for the wedding.”
His mother arched a brow. “Oh, really? It’s serious enough that you want to bring her to Adrian’s wedding?”
Zander laid on the puppy dog eyes thick. “I promise neither of us will do anything to embarrass you, or Adrian, or Emma. I mean of course Andi would never do that, but I’ve been known to occasionally do things that might border on the outlandish. This time I’m sworn to good behavior. And it’s even more likely it’ll stick if I’m with her. Don’cha think?”
“Son, you know I just want you to be happy, don’t you?” Ariana said, pulling his face down for a kiss. “And it sounds as if this young woman has touched something in you that I haven’t seen, in, well, ever. I’d be delighted if you could bring your young woman to the wedding. But we do need to meet her first.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” Zander said. “I’ll bring her by for dinner. I promise.”
Zander would have loved to have held Andi’s existence in his world somewhat close to his chest, both literally and figuratively, for a little while longer. But with that picture surfacing in the tabloid, he’d been left little choice but to at least go public with the family on this one. And he wasn’t even worried that his brothers were going to pile on the shit. After all, he’d do the same thing to them.
Chapter Twenty-three
ANDI was in the kitchen waiting for Pippa to return from errands, snacking on chips she’d found in the cabinet. The plan was for the two of them to eat out somewhere and catch up on what had transpired over the past few days. Minus the intimate details. She clicked on the television and leaned against the counter to watch. After the usual grim stories were presented, the broadcaster cut to a commercial break with a tease for an upcoming story about the mystery woman who was falling for Prince Zander. A photograph of the two of them kissing after the skydiving trip was emblazoned on the screen. Andi choked on a chip and had to grab a bottle of water from the fridge to clear her throat.
“What the hell?” she said aloud as the story came back on.
“Witnesses said the prince swooped down and kissed the woman with passion in front of onlookers,” the announcer said.
“Onlookers? There weren’t onlookers,” she said. Were there?
Her mind raced to think back to that moment, but honestly, all that surfaced in her memory was the adrenaline high from the parachute jump and the even higher high from Zander’s kiss. She hadn’t a clue if anyone had been around and snapped off a picture. But why would someone take a picture of her?
And then it dawned on her. This was what happened with those affiliated with the royal family. Their lives became fodder for tabloids and the jump story on the news, and people rarely fared well in the public spotlight like that. Particularly girlfriends of famous people.
Oh, this was so not good.
Andi brooded for a while, trying to figure out a plan of action. The good news was no one knew who she was, so this was completely manageable. As long as she remained anonymous, it was all good. Though how long could that be sustained? Especially with a royal wedding on the horizon. If she really showed up as his date, the tabloids would go apeshit over her.
She drummed her fingers on the kitchen counter, paced a bit, then chewed her nails, and finally she heard Pippa arrive back.
“Let’s go, lady. Car’s still humming in the driveway, we’ve got reservations for half past, I got us a table overlooking the ocean, and it’s a perfect night.”
But Andi’s face said something completely different.
“What?” Pippa asked. “Why the long look? You’ve got Prince Charming wooing you, a dress made for a modern-day princess, that postcoital glow that makes you look even more beautiful than you already did, and me as a friend. What else could you want?”
“We made the tabloids,” Andi said in a monotone voice.
“We?”
“Me and Z.”
“Oh dear.”
> “You can say that again.”
“Details?”
“I’m the mystery woman who’s falling for the prince,” she said, making air quotes around the word “falling.”
“Oh, they always come up with those clever metaphors and similes. It’s why tabloid journalism is the domain of complete sad sacks. Where’d you hear about this?”
“Just now on the news. There’s even a picture of Zander and me kissing after we went skydiving.”
Pippa grimaced. “But they don’t know who you are, do they?”
“Not yet,” Andi said. “Though surely that’s only a matter of time.”
“Don’t be so certain. Stranger things have happened. After all, this is a small country. We protect our own here.”
“Yeah, it’s a small country. All the easier to find someone if you want to.”
“True dat.”
Andi sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Let’s not make a big production out of it. Let’s go have some dinner and talk about everything, okay?”
Andi nodded. “Fine.”
~*~
They went to a charming cliffside café not far from Pippa’s place. As seemed to be everywhere in Monaforte, the outdoor patio was decorated with gorgeous flowers—hanging baskets and climbing vines with brilliant purple, pink, blue, and yellow flowers were everywhere.
After they ordered wine and two antipasti plates, they got down to business.
“So let’s focus on the good things,” Pippa said. “Like how was the trip? Was it fabulous? Did Zander dote on you and take the best care of you? I warned him to, you know.”
Andi sighed. “Yes, of course, he was amazing. Absolutely beyond my imagination. I spent the entire time on cloud nine.”
“That’s a good boy, Zander,” Pippa said jokingly. “I knew he’d come through.”
“And then some. And of course he bought me that one-of-a-kind evening gown he said he wanted me to wear at his brother’s wedding. But I don’t even know his brother, and I’ve never met his family. How weird would that be for me to show up at such a huge celebration?”
“Let’s not overthink anything. Take the man at his word. He cares enough for you that he wants you to accompany him to an important family event. That’s fantastic. Let’s leave it at that.”
The waiter delivered their antipasti platter, and the two women gorged on local cheeses, salamis, and cured meats until they could eat no more.
“Like I said, all that matters is you like him. He likes you. The sex is amazing. And it’s all good. Right?”
Andi smiled. “Yes, I suppose you’re right on all counts.”
“Great. Let’s get out of here then, and maybe you can even have time to talk with Zander tonight before going to bed.”
Just as they stood to go, a photographer jumped in front of them and snapped off a handful of pictures.
Blinded by the flashing light, Andi had no idea what was going on.
“Thanks, Miss McDonough.”
McDonough? How on earth could this person care about who she was, or know it, for that matter?
“Oh, my God. He knows I’m the one.”
Chapter Twenty-four
“THIS is a disaster,” Andi said, sobbing into the phone. “I can’t be some tabloid It-Girl. That’s not who I am.”
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Zander said. “We’ll figure this out. I mean, after all, it’s not so bad that people know about us, is it? It was only a matter of time.”
“Yes, but I’m not cut out for this sort of thing. I’m just little old me from Vegas. I’m not the girl anyone wants to put in their magazine. It’s you they want, not me.”
“I understand,” he said. “But sometimes that goes hand in hand. I promise you it will get better.”
“I’m afraid this isn’t anything I think I can get used to, Zander. It’s just not me.”
“Andi, of course you can. We can muddle through this together. Why don’t I come and get you, and you can join me here and we can sleep on it?”
“Oh, God. And have to meet your parents under the circumstances? That would be so awkward. No, no. I don’t think that’s a great idea.”
“What if I come out there? Pips won’t mind.”
“Yeah, except photographers are going to scent you like they’re bloodhounds. And then they’ll be out here and bothering Pippa. It’s bad enough I’ve overstayed my welcome, but I don’t want to make her home her prison.”
“Pippa’s a big girl. She’d have fun with the paps. Maybe push one or two into the pool even.”
“I have to think on this. I’m not sure what I’m to do about it.”
“You know I care a great deal for you, don’t you?”
Andi nodded into the phone as if he could see it. “Yes. And I can’t believe how wonderful it’s been with you. I just don’t know about all this other stuff. Let me get some sleep and try to figure out it.”
“Okay then. But Andi?” Zander said, his voice sounding boyish in its hopeful tone. “I know it’s early and all, but I really think I could be falling in love with you.”
Andi’s voice faltered. “Me too, Z. Me too.” She hung up the phone.
~*~
Andi slept fitfully. Well, fitfully would have been a generous term. She woke so much that she finally got up and wrote a long note to Zander.
Dear Zander, she wrote. You’re not going to like this, but I think I know what I have to do. By now I’ve gotten the first train out and am making my way back to Africa. I know there I can focus on others instead of on myself, and I can stop worrying about strangers accosting me and what people will think of me, if they’ll think me inadequate for the role of girlfriend to a prince.
Z, the thing is I’m not like you. I’m a simple girl from a simple background with simple needs. I’m not made to be all fancy and famous. As much fun as it was, I realize now that’s a role I wasn’t meant to play forever.
Thank you, though, for the best memories. I cannot begin to tell you what a perfect, magical time we spent on holiday together.
I’m going to leave this beautiful evening wear you so kindly bought me here for Pippa. It’s the least I can do after she lent me everything right down to her brand new tags-still-on-it lingerie for our romantic getaway. Maybe she’ll be able to wear it to the wedding. I’d love to keep it, but really, it would get all wrinkled in my backpack. And it’ll only serve to remind me that I’ve left you behind, which wouldn’t have been my first choice.
I know you’ll find someone better suited to your lifestyle. But you have to promise me you’ll never take her skydiving. That’ll be our memory alone.
In the meantime, I will forever keep you in my heart.
With love, Andi.
With that, Andi packed up her backpack, left a thank-you note for Pippa, and slipped out the door. She walked down the mountain road toward town with the plan to hitch the first ride to the train station she could find.
Chapter Twenty-five
“SHE dotted her i with a heart,” Zander said through a haze of tears. He wasn’t one to cry, ever. But in front of Pippa, he allowed himself this indulgence.
“Awww, Z, I don’t know what to say,” Pippa said. “I feel so bad. It all seemed to be working out so well. Maybe she’ll have a change of heart.”
Zander shook his head. “Doubt it. That one is a wildcat, and like any feral animal, they get scared and run far to get to safer grounds. I can’t see her changing her mind.” He frowned. For once, he’d opened his heart again, and look what it got him.
Pippa went into the room in which Andi had slept and returned with a garment bag.
“She left this behind,” she said. “Maybe you can return it? Or give it to Isabella?”
Zander waved it away. “Keep it, Pips. It’ll look great on you.”
“Ha!” she said. “Are you kidding? This is a dress for a woman with a great rack. My boobs are way too small for this thing. People would laugh. Or hold a contest tossing
coins down the cleavage of it.”
Zander playfully hit his friend over the head. “Stop it. You’ve got a perfectly fine rack. Not that I’m looking. Though I am a guy, so how could I not. But seriously...”
“Keep it, Z,” she said. “You never know if maybe she’ll change her mind.”
Zander heaved a sad and heavy sigh.
“Whatever,” he said, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
~*~
Zander had been moping around for days, completely out of sorts.
“Darling, why don’t you track down Lorenzo,” his mother said. “Perhaps you and he can go out on the town.”
Zander laughed a half laugh.
“I should get out my phone and record this for posterity,” he said. “You, my mother, who has tried desperately to keep me from going out with anyone lest I land in hot water, are encouraging me to hit the town.”
“I didn’t say you needed to get arrested, Zander. Only that it might be a good distraction for you to get out with a friend or two and have some fun.”
Zander shrugged, completely ambivalent. “Is this on order of the queen?”
His mother scruffed his hair lovingly. “If that’s what will get you out of your blue funk, then yes.”
~*~
Zander and Lorenzo had started with aperitivo at a restaurant on the waterfront in Porto Castello, at a place frequented by many young adults. Beautiful women milled about, many insinuating themselves into conversations nearby with the hope of attracting Zander’s attention. Little did they know, Zander’s notorious wandering eye had already become a thing of the past.
The two men sat at a table on a terrace that jutted out over the water, near a marina in which sat a historic tall ship from hundreds of years ago. Sailboats bobbed in the distance in the azure waters. It was a beautiful scene, but Zander could not have cared less.
“Basta!” Lorenzo said, slashing his hand through the air. “Enough already! This moping around is ridiculous! You act is if someone just ran over your dog with a truck.”
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