at eight tomorrow. I’ll tell security to expect you.”
And with that, he turns and walks out of my house. I follow to watch through the window. David meets him at the car, and they drive away.
Was David standing out in the rain the entire time? Why didn’t I think to ask?
Because it’s not normal to have a bodyguard with you everywhere you go.
I keep myself busy with cleaning the kitchen. When that’s done, I decide to go ahead and paint that bathroom. No time like the present, right?
I didn’t sleep in.
In fact, I didn’t sleep much at all.
Because Callum was right. I had to do some serious thinking about what he said. I’ve seen the media coverage of the royal family. Last year, when Ellie married Liam, the press tore him to shreds because of his military past. They interviewed family that he hadn’t seen in years. All my life, the royals were front and center in the tabloids.
And now, because I met a prince absolutely by chance, I could be on the precipice of that same fate.
How in the hell did this even happen?
Oh, yeah, because I thought they might like some scones for breakfast.
I gather my handbag and sunglasses and check the time.
I have to pick Callum up in fifteen minutes.
And, yes, I’m still going.
At about four this morning, I’d almost talked myself out of it. I wanted to keep Greg and Emma’s memories safely tucked away, my past forgotten, and move on with my quiet, peaceful life in Montana.
But then I considered never speaking to or seeing Callum again, and the pit in my stomach was unbearable. No, I don’t look forward to my past being slung in my face, but I’m not ashamed of it either. I’ll stand right up to anyone who wants to say anything shitty about my husband and kid.
And my piece of shit mother wasn’t my fault.
I’m a good citizen, with a thriving business in a community I adore. If anyone wants to say anything bad about that, well, let them. I’ve never been one to give a rat’s ass what anyone thinks of me.
Cunningham Falls is quiet this morning, now that the tourists are all gone, and we’re back to being a sleepy little town. I roll past Drips, satisfied when I see a short line of regulars at the counter through the window.
When I reach the gate to Sebastian’s home, I’m immediately let in and shown where to park.
“His Highness would like for you to meet him at his quarters in the boathouse,” a security guard tells me. “I’ll be happy to escort you.”
“Thank you.”
I follow him down the path that leads past the main house, the former guest house that’s now the headquarters for security, to the boathouse, where I visited before when Ellie was staying here.
The security guard keys in a code to the door, opens it, and then nods for me to go in.
“Thanks again,” I say before climbing the steps to the apartment above. I knock on the door, and almost immediately, Callum opens it. “Good morning.”
“You came,” he says, his face full of surprise.
“You didn’t think I would.” It’s not a question.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you hadn’t. Come in.”
He steps back, allowing me to walk into the apartment. I love this space with its open floorplan and expansive views of the lake.
“I almost didn’t come. For a couple of hours during the night, I thought of sending you a thanks, but no thanks text.”
“What changed your mind?” he asks.
“Frankly, I don’t care what people say or think about me, Callum. I’ve had mud slung my way for most of my life. It’s not easy to be the poor kid or the pregnant teenager. People talk. As long as you and I are on the same page, that’s really all that matters. The rest is just noise.”
He frames my face in his hands and plants the newest kiss of the century on me. It’s full of relief, joy, and lust.
And when he pulls back to look down at me, his brown eyes are full of gratitude.
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
“Starving.”
“I’m taking you out for breakfast.”
“Not what I was going for, but that’ll work just fine.”
I smirk and gesture for him to follow me, but he holds his hands out at his sides.
“Am I dressed appropriately?”
Jeans, T-shirt, Nikes. He looks good enough to eat with a spoon.
“You might want to grab a sweater, but yes. Today is a casual day.”
“Brilliant.” He tugs a hoodie