privilege, and have the chance to still keep away from the crowds and cameras—it’s something I never truly appreciated until I came here.
The children—two boys and a girl—sit on an overstuffed sofa and smile politely. The youngest, a girl, looks to be about nine years old. She’s staring at Margot with wide eyes.
When we’re brought to the dining room, I catch Margot winking at the little Princess. Margot takes a sweet out of her purse and hands it to the princess, putting her finger to her lips conspiratorially. The girl smiles, and my heart warms.
It’s rare to see Margot acting without any guardedness. She usually has walls up so high around her that it’s hard to see the person behind them. The three kids naturally gravitate toward her, surrounding her as we make our way to the dining room.
Children and animals are the two greatest barometers when it comes to judging someone’s character. Right now, watching Margot interact with the three little royals makes my heart skip a beat.
They see the same qualities in her that I do.
I know I’ve only met Margot a couple of weeks ago. I know the most we’ve done is little more than kissing. So, why is my mind racing toward a future with her?
I could see her beside me, lazing in bed on a Sunday morning with a few kids of our own one day.
Tearing my eyes away from the blonde beauty, I inhale deeply to try to keep my thoughts under control. I barely know Margot. Just because I’m drawn to her doesn’t mean she’s going to carry my hypothetical children.
Telling myself to get a grip is useless, though, because every time I look at her, I see a future I never thought I’d have. A future I never thought I wanted.
A future that, all of a sudden, seems possible.
14
Margot
When we get back to our own house, Luca and Ivy disappear upstairs. I glance into the kitchen, wishing I could have a glass of wine to unwind.
It’s not even just the fact that I’m pregnant. It’s what happened that night with Beckett. Since he’s gone on the run, I’ve thought that he’s the one that caused my overdose, but I just don’t remember. That hole in my memory tortures me, and I don’t want to feel out of control again.
Part of me thinks it was Beckett’s fault, somehow. The worst part is, I can’t say anything about it, because no one knows that Beckett was with me. If someone found out, they might put two and two together about the baby, and, well, that would be a disaster.
Alcohol used to be my favorite vice. Now, I don’t even want to touch it. Even when I’m lonely and emotional, which seems to be happening a lot these days.
Tonight, after seeing the love that the King and Queen have for each other, I feel lonelier than ever.
I head out to the pool in the backyard. With winter on the way, the pool technician drained the pool a few inches this week. There won’t be any swimming in it until next year.
I watch the vapor of my breath in the night air, letting my shoulders relax as I sink down onto a pool lounge chair. Wrapping my arms around my torso, I try to ward off the cold. In a way, it feels good to have the chill of the air seep into my bones. It makes me feel alive. Awake.
A noise behind me makes me turn my head.
“Mind if I join you?” Prince Dante asks.
I smile. “Of course not. I was just trying to unwind. Being on my best behavior tends to stress me out.”
The Prince’s smile widens. “I’d love to see you on your worst behavior.”
“Don’t know if you’ve earned that yet.”
The Prince grins, taking a seat in the lounge chair next to mine, his hand drifting over to me. He rests it on top of mine, and the warmth of his skin sends comfort flowing through my body.
How is it possible to feel so comfortable with someone I barely know?
“Do you ever feel like we’ve known each other for longer than two weeks?” Dante glances at me, quirking an eyebrow.
“Like we’re long-lost lovers that have somehow, against all odds, reunited at last?”
“Exactly,” he grins.
I chuckle, nodding. “Yeah, actually. I do.”
“At least I’m not crazy.”
“I never said that,” I laugh. “Maybe we’re both crazy.”
“Crazy isn’t so bad.” His fingers curl around my hand. My heart thumps.