There's Something About Nik

by Sara Hantz

  A whistle came from her cell, distracting her. A text. Probably from Lauren asking what sandwich she wanted. As if she cared. It would all taste like cardboard.

  She’d have to reply. Swinging her legs around until she was sitting, she picked up her phone from the top of the small set of light wood drawers beside her bed. She struggled to breathe as Nik’s name stared back at her from the caller id.

  Her finger hovered over the read icon. Open or not? Deleting would be the sensible thing to do. There was nothing he could say that would make things right. Except…

  I’m outside your dorm. Please meet me.

  She swallowed hard. Should she go and see him? If it was just to tell her good-bye, then what was the point? She’d had more than enough heartbreak for one day. If she had any chance at all of making it to her afternoon classes, then she couldn’t subject herself to more of him.

  No, she hurriedly replied before she could change her mind. She wished it made her feel better, but it didn’t. Not one bit.

  After only a few seconds, another text arrived from him. She didn’t deliberate, just opened it right away.

  I’m sorry. Please let me explain.

  Her heart pounded against her rib cage. What did he mean by that? He wanted to say sorry for being mean and to say good-bye. Or he wanted to apologize for encouraging her to get involved with him when he knew it wasn’t going anywhere? Or…she’d run out of scenarios. Did that matter? If he was leaving school, it wasn’t going to change anything. Then again, maybe she owed him the chance to explain. She might never get the opportunity again, and she could end up regretting it.

  Okay. I’ll be down soon, she texted back, immediately wishing she hadn’t agreed to go.

  Where was Lauren when Amber needed her? She’d tell her whether going to meet Nik was the right decision, because at the moment, she had no idea.

  It would sort everything out once and for all, so in that respect, it probably was right.

  Stop already. Just go.

  She grabbed her purse, paused to check herself out in the mirror, and regretted it. Her puffy eyes and tear-streaked cheeks were a dead giveaway that she’d been crying, and she had no time to do anything about it.

  …

  Nik stared at the entrance to Amber’s dorm, waiting for her. He leaned against one of the tall white pine trees that lined the drive. Once appearing, she glanced from side to side, and when she caught sight of him, an anxious expression flickered across her face. He waved and smiled, but she didn’t respond. He didn’t blame her. Especially after their encounter earlier. He knew it was going to take more than a smile to get her to forgive him for what he’d done.

  “Let’s get away from here,” he said, once she’d reached him.

  She acknowledged him with a shrug and looked away. They walked in silence along the path, which circled the school and led to a grassy area overlooking the mountain. He thought that it would be a nice secluded place for them to talk. While they walked, he sensed that she was deliberately keeping as much space between the two of them as possible. He stared directly in front of him and took surreptitious glances at her in his peripheral vision whenever he could. Her face was set firm, giving nothing away. Once they reached the clearing, he stopped and faced her.

  She glanced up at him. There was no sign of the usual upbeat, happy vibe. The warmth that she always exuded. It was like she didn’t even know him.

  He hitched in a breath, his fists clenching and unclenching by his side. “I’m sorry.” He could’ve kicked himself for starting with something so lame.

  “You said that in your text,” she replied in a monotone voice.

  He tried to make eye contact with her, but she just stared at the ground. She had to listen to him. He’d never wanted anything more in his whole life.

  “You’re not making this easy for me.” He touched her on the arm, and she flinched. His insides clenched. Although he knew that she was upset, while waiting to see her, he’d sort of convinced himself that it would be relatively easy to persuade her to forgive him. He’d gotten that wrong. Way wrong. He’d been such an idiot to think it would be that straightforward. He should’ve listened to Josh. He was so much better at this sort of thing.

  “Why should I?” Her voice was calm and emotionless.

  Which made it even worse. He wished she’d shout and scream at him because that showed some feeling. Her calmness implied that she didn’t care about him anymore. That she’d already forgotten all they’d had together. He couldn’t give up, though. He wanted her back. To persuade her to give him a second chance. If it was at all possible for Nik and Amber to have a second chance, without Prince Niklas getting in the way.

  “Because we belong together.” He paused a moment, to judge her reaction. But there was none. “I behaved really badly. It was inexcusable, and if I could take it back, I would.”

  He prayed that this was enough for her to accept his apology and recognize how remorseful he was.

  “Yes, you did,” she agreed.

  “Please let me put things right,” he implored.

  “There’s no point.” She glanced at him and then looked at the ground, her fists were tightly balled by her sides.

  He wanted to pull her into his arms and shake her. Make her see that there was every point in the world. That what they had was something special, and they had to be together. But he didn’t think she’d appreciate him doing that.

  A small part of him loved that she was making things hard for him. It meant she wasn’t just going to roll over and do whatever he wanted because he was a prince. It meant things hadn’t changed. If she hated him, she hated him for who he was and what he’d done, and nothing else.

  It was all him. All in his control. Everything boiled down to this moment. If he could find the right words instead of retreating back into his familiar cocoon of icy hauteur.

  “Yes, there is,” he insisted softly.

  She had to understand; she just had to.

  “So you can go back home without a guilty conscience?” She gazed at him, and he caught sight of a tiny spark in her eyes. But it disappeared almost instantly. He didn’t care; it was a reaction. Which was more than he’d managed to get from her up to that point. That meant there was hope.

  “You’re wrong,” he stated.

  “What is it, then?” She arched an eyebrow.

  “I hurt you. I hate myself for that. I should’ve listened instead of going off on a rant.” People at home wouldn’t believe the way he was acting. He was known for his ability to keep cool and not show his feelings. He never ranted, other than in the privacy of his own room. And even then, he’d make sure he couldn’t be overheard. The potential fallout wasn’t worth it. He was always firm and decisive, not allowing any emotion to get in the way.

  And now everything depended on his showing all the emotions he was having. In uncomfortable detail.

  “A royal rant.” A half smile hovered around the corners of her mouth.

  He swallowed hard, his mouth dry. Was she softening?

  “Exactly. I realize what happened wasn’t your fault. I should’ve confided in you about who I really am. Trusted you with my secret.” And he meant it. He was such a fool.

  “Maybe. But it doesn’t really matter.” There was no sign of a smile now.

  A long sigh escaped his lips. Just when he thought he was making progress, she said something that indicated the total opposite. Maybe she didn’t want them to continue their relationship. Maybe he’d really blown it.

  “It does. I don’t want us to break up.” He locked eyes with her, silently begging her to give them a chance.

  “We can’t have a relationship when one of us is halfway across the world. And you’re a freakin’ prince. Explain to me how that could possibly work?” She turned her head but not before he’d seen her eyes had filled with tears.

  Warmth flooded through him. He got it now. Her reluctance wasn’t because she didn’t want him anymore. It was because she thought
he was going back to Lutgenstadt. As for the whole prince thing, that they’d work through.

  “We don’t have to.” He stepped toward her and loosely took hold of her shoulders. “I’m not going back.”

  “You’re not?” Her body relaxed under his grip.

  “No. My parents wanted me to return, but I convinced them to let me stay.” He resisted the urge to pull her closer and smother her with kisses. It was too soon. He hoped that they’d make up for it later.

  “Why?” She pulled back from his hold, and his heart dipped.

  Had he misread the situation? Did the fact he was staying not rectify things?

  “Why do you think?” He frowned.

  “I don’t know. You already told me that you can’t have a normal life here, and since that was why you came, then why would you want to stay? You’d be subjecting yourself to a media frenzy, not to mention everyone at school would be so obsessed with you that you wouldn’t be able live an undisturbed life.” She placed her hands on her hips and eyeballed him. “Which is totally arrogant if you ask me. Just because you’re a prince doesn’t mean that every girl in school will be chasing after you.”

  His head spun. He seriously didn’t get what was happening. He didn’t mean that at all. One moment it seemed like everything was going to be okay, and now it was like…like…

  “Are you being deliberately obtuse?” he asked.

  “Ob— What?” She cocked her head to the side.

  “Please stop.” He held up both hands. “All I want is to be with you. I don’t care about a normal life. The only important thing is having you in my life.” The words poured out of his mouth, and he fixed her with his eyes, not daring to breathe.

  “Are you serious?” Her eyes widened.

  “I’ve never been more so. I acted like an idiot. Too wrapped up in myself to realize what was right under my nose. Of course, I’d rather people don’t know who I am, but I can live with it as long as you’re by my side.”

  “I’m not sure us being together is good thing.” She bit down on her bottom lip.

  “Is it because of the way I acted earlier?”

  “Like a prince used to getting his own way and not caring about anyone else’s feelings? Yes, that’s part of it.” She nodded.

  “What else?” he asked. “And by the way,” he said, without giving her time to answer, “I don’t think that every girl will be after me.”

  Amber blushed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that. I just said it without thinking.”

  “Understandable after the way I behaved,” he replied. “So, what is the other part?” he asked gently.

  “You say that you don’t care about having a normal life, but you do. And I don’t want to be forever in the spotlight because I’m your girlfriend. I like to be behind the lens, not in front of it.”

  She was right about being in the spotlight. It wasn’t easy being his girlfriend. Though he hoped it would be easier at school, because they were out of the way. And he’d protect her from the media fallout, if there was one.

  “What can I do to make you give me a chance? I can beg if that helps.”

  “Beg?” She laughed. A genuine throaty laugh. “What makes you think I want you to beg?”

  “Josh said that’s what I’d have to do.” He steepled his fingers.

  “No, you don’t have to beg,” she reassured him.

  “Thank you. So what about us?” His whole body tensed in anticipation. Please say yes. Please say yes.

  “You deceived me. That’s hard to take. You know what happened in my past. My illness. Wade.”

  It was like she’d thumped him in the gut. He’d been as bad as her previous boyfriend. No wonder she was reluctant to commit to him. Why had he opened his mouth without thinking through the consequences?

  “I know, and I’m so sorry. But I had my reasons, which were nothing to do with you. I’ll never hurt you again, I promise. You have to believe me.” He took a deep breath. “When I first met you, you pretty much hated me on sight. And I loved it. It was the first time anyone summed me up and either liked or hated me for me—not for my title.” She blinked in surprise, and he could tell she probably hadn’t considered that before. “And when I won you over, it was because you actually liked Nik Gustafsson, ordinary exchange student. It was like a drug. I’d never had that in my life, something so genuine, so true. I was afraid things would change between us once you found out who I was and that the whole royal family of Lutgenstadt was standing on my shoulders.” He looked at his feet, his throat closing up with all the emotion he felt. “Forgive me, Amber,” he ground out. “Please.”

  “Oh, Nik. I never— I didn’t realize— Wow.” He felt a soft touch on his arm, and he looked up to see compassion, understanding, and a whole lot more in her eyes. “Of course. Of course I forgive you. But if you ever do anything like that again…”

  “I won’t. Let me prove it to you,” he interrupted, brushing the back of his hand against her cheek. Her eyes fluttered half closed as she leaned into his touch, and the weight of all his worry, his position, his responsibilities just fell away. It was like there was only the two of them in the whole world at that moment.

  Prove it…

  How?

  He wracked his brain for something that he could do that wasn’t cheesy or obvious like flowers or chocolates. It had to be so special she’d know for certain that…the cell phone she held by her side distracted him. And then he knew the perfect demonstration of his feelings for her.

  He hurriedly pulled out his cell from his pocket and moved to stand next to her. A confused expression crossed her face. He drew her in close to him and then held out his hand and took a selfie of them both.

  “What are you doing?” Amber sounded worried.

  “Something for my family’s Facebook page. I want everyone in my country to see you.” He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

  “B-but…” she stammered.

  “Is that okay?” he asked, suddenly worried that he’d read the situation incorrectly and done the wrong thing.

  “Yes. Of course. Yes. But are you sure?” she asked, her voice anxious.

  “I’ve never been more sure in my life.” And he meant it. With every bone in his body.

  “Well, in that case let’s take another.” A wide smile on her face, Amber lifted up her cell and pointed it in their direction. And she kissed him as she took the shot.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Butterflies whizzed around Amber’s stomach as she leaned back in her chair and watched Nik head away from the counter toward their table at the back of the café. She loved the slightly arrogant look on his face as he stood tall and walked with purpose. Full of confidence. And his smile made her legs go weak every time. It was incredible how special he made her feel. When she thought about how their relationship had almost ended, she thanked the universe for stepping in and making everything work out. Better than she’d ever thought it could.

  He held a tray but, from how she was sitting, she couldn’t make out what was on it until he got closer, and she saw he had bought one of her favorite red velvet cupcakes. He placed the cupcake in front of her, together with the Vanilla Chiller she’d ordered.

  “Thanks. I didn’t ask for the cake.” She stared at it greedily, clearly not caring that he hadn’t asked whether she wanted it. She did now.

  What she marveled at was how considerate he was. She’d have thought that with his background, he wouldn’t have even paid attention to other people’s feelings. She was so wrong about that. He knew all the right buttons to press. If she was ever on a desert island, cupcakes would be on her list of must-haves. And Nik, of course.

  “I know, but it’s a celebration, so I bought you one.” A smile played at the corner of his lips, and her nerve endings tingled.

  He was right about the celebration. Earlier that day, she’d heard that she’d been awarded the internship, despite her retracting the photo of Nik and extracting from them a written promise that they wouldn�
��t use it. She’d felt extremely brave by insisting on those conditions. Nik had helped her word the email.

  The guy in charge of the photography department, Adam Wright, said he didn’t care about Nik and that the Swedish guy who’d leaked the photo had been reprimanded. Nik said that he wished the guy had been fired. Amber had thought that was a bit harsh. The man had just been seizing an opportunity, even if he’d done it without thinking through the consequences, and should be given a second chance.

  In the email offer, Adam had said that her portfolio stood head and shoulders above the other applicants, and in particular, he loved her nature shots, saying they showed great perception of light and angles and the maturity of someone who’d been taking photographs for many years. She’d read his email over and over again. To have such an acknowledgement of her talent was the most exhilarating thing she’d experienced. Apart from making out with Nik, obviously, which was in a totally different stratosphere.

  “Much appreciated.” She took a huge bite and groaned. They seriously made the best cupcakes ever. “Want some?” she asked, her voice muffled from being full of cake.

  “No, thank you. It’s your celebration. You enjoy it.” He sat back in his seat and stared at her. His eyes probing. Caressing. It was like he could see into the depths of her soul.

  She squirmed awkwardly under his scrutiny. “Stop looking at me like that. I can’t eat my cupcake.”

  “Sorry.” He sat forward and took hold of her free hand. “Is this okay?” He winked.

  “Umm.” The deliciously dreamy expression flitting across his face sent spirals of desire through her.

  Since the whole prince thing blew up, their relationship had gotten even better. Now that the secret was out in the open, Nik was a changed person—relaxed and happy. Which seemed weird since hiding his true identity had been his main aim. Then again, he didn’t have to be on his guard all the time, worried about saying something which gave him away. Or that someone recognized him.

  Once the kids at school had found out they had a real-life prince on the premises, they went bat-shit crazy for a few days. They wouldn’t leave Nik, her, Lauren, or Josh alone. Basically, the people who knew him best were the subject of nonstop questioning. Now, everything was fine. Everyone treated Nik as they’d always done in the past. Although she hadn’t told him that there was going to be a musical sketch involving a prince called Nik in the end of term show. She hoped he wouldn’t mind. There was nothing mean about it. If anything, it showed her that they accepted him as just Nik the student and not Nik the prince.