Aimee could feel her cheeks turning red for the second time tonight. She leaned over to Aiden. “I don’t drink alcohol.”
He glanced at her. “Never?”
“Never.”
“Can we have two regular sodas, please?” The waiter nodded, taking his drink menu and leaving the table.
“Sorry, I should have told you earlier.”
Aiden laughed. “My psychic abilities let me down on this one. You’re Piper’s American friend that she goes on Christian Missions with.”
“Yes. That is me.”
Everything on the menu looked so good to Aimee. She was having a hard time deciding what to try. Aiden, noticing her struggle, leaned over to her. “They have an awesome chicken club salad with a special house dressing.”
Aimee nodded. “Then, that’s what I will try.”
Aiden placed the order with the waiter when he returned with their sodas.
“Are you from Ancaster?”
“No, I actually live in Broughton.”
She took a sip of her soda. “Broughton is the Neahovian Capital City, right?”
“Yeah. It looks like you have done some homework on our country.”
Aimee glanced around the room at the pictures on the walls.
Aiden pointed out one of his favorites. “The owner of the Milo’s Bistro chains’ daughter painted all the portraits.”
“She is very talented. Are these places here in Neahovia?”
Aiden leaned back in his chair. “Yeah, these are some of the best landmarks in Neahovia.”
“I hope to see more of the country over the next few years.”
“Have you ever been here before?”
“A few years back.”
“Really, when?”
“When what?”
Aiden watched as she studied one of the portraits. “When did you visit Neahovia?”
“Oh, sorry. Once when I was very young, I came here with my mom to a beach. We met one of her friends here. And, again, a few years back, Piper and I worked on a mission trip.”
“The Wise Chapel project.”
“Yeah. We helped in the beginning stages of the restoration.”
Aiden took a drink of soda. “It’s a beautiful building.”
“Yes, the building is beautiful; but, it’s what happens inside the building that makes it special.” The waiter brought their food out.
“So, what happens inside the building that makes it so special?”
“The teaching and preaching of God’s word. Piper and I are going to be attending services there, you should join us.”
“Maybe I will. So what is your major?”
It was obvious to Aimee, he was changing the current subject. “Business Management and Marketing. What’s yours?”
Aiden laughed. “Business Management and Marketing.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Not at all. So, I guess it is safe to say, we are going to be study partners.”
Aimee nodded. “Study partners for sure.”
The conversation continued about school throughout the main course. Aiden ordered a fruit parfait and a cup of coffee for each of them for dessert. Aimee was amazed how nice he was. He had the good looks and a great personality which could only mean one of two things.
“So, do you have a girlfriend?”
He seemed amused. “What gave me away?”
“Mainly it is the fact that I have never meet a single, straight guy who is so well-mannered and thoughtful.”
Aiden laughed out loud. “I am so glad you didn’t ask…”
Aimee laughed with him. “We’ll just leave it at that. Tell me about your girlfriend.”
“Her name is Ava Porter. She is studying fashion design in Italy. How about you? Do you have some special guy waiting for you back in the States?”
“No and no to the second question as well.”
He laughed. “It seems I am not the only one with psychic abilities at our table. Seriously though, I would have thought for sure you would have been taken.”
Aimee blushed once more. “I always knew I wanted to come to Neahovia to attend college. A relationship oceans apart didn’t seem practical to me.”
Aiden took the bill from the waiter and ordered two to-go cups of coffee. “You know some say distance makes the heart grow fonder. While others think it is a true test for your love.”
“Oh, I am sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
He chuckled. “It’s cool. Italy is closer than flying to the States. So, I can see how that could make a difference.”
The walk home seemed shorter to Aimee; maybe because now she was familiar with the street a little. The air was cool, and she was glad to have the extra cup of coffee to help keep her warm.
Lexi was writing on a dry erase message board when Aiden and Aimee returned to the flat. Aiden sat in the oversized chair across from Colin.
Colin started grinning from ear to ear. “Well, Lex, look who has finally made it home.”
“It’s about time.” She continued writing in bold letters Flat Meeting Tomorrow at eight p.m. “Ava has called me twice looking for you.”
Aiden felt around his pants. “I must have left my phone here.”
Colin tossed him his phone. “Lex, you should have been like me and just not answered her calls.”
“Hey Lex, what are you doing?” Aiden asked in an annoyed tone.
“We needed a message board, so I bought one.”
“I see that. What is this Flat Meeting stuff?”
Colin rolled his eyes as Lexi responded. “The Villa Advisor called and said we had to do a meeting.” She picked up the marker Pizza provided by the guys.
Aimee snickered. “Looks like Lexi just told you. By the way, I love extra cheese and I am allergic to mushrooms.” The girls headed up stairs as the guys mumbled.
Piper was finishing arranging her side of the room when Aimee walked in the room. So, Aimee went and cleaned her face and slipped on her favorite oversized baseball shirt, then took out her Bible.
Piper took out her Bible and sat on her bed. “I am so glad that your dad is letting you study at Ancaster. I was so afraid he would say no.”
“Me too.”
Aimee started reading her Bible. “What are you studying, Piper?”
“The Book of James.”
“So am I.”
Chapter Two
The alarm went off at eight a.m. Aimee hit the snooze button. Eight hours of sleep was not enough to relief her jet lag. Ten minutes later, the alarm sounded again. She decided against hitting the snooze again, so she just accepted defeat.
She took her Bible out and reread the first chapter of James. When she was done, she closed her Bible and kneeled down to pray. “Dear Lord, I trust you with my life. I am so thankful for the love and mercy you have given me. I pray for your guidance in my studies and the search for answers to my mother and grandmother’s history here in Neahovia. I know they are in better hands now, but I still miss them both so much. Again, I want to say Thank You. In Jesus’ sweet and precious name, I pray. Amen.”
She wiped the tears from her eyes as she looked at the photo of Piper and her mom at Pipers’ graduation. It made her think of all the things she has missed and all the things she will miss out on with her mom.
Her mother would not be with her when she gets married or has children. Aimee hated feeling this way. Why did she have to keep telling herself to stop dwelling on the things that could have been or the things that should have been in her life.
She looked up to heaven. “God, help me to not dwell on the sad things I miss. But, to be grateful for the good times I had with my mom and grandmother. Amen.” She decided that maybe a good warm bath would help clear her head.
Piper laid silently in her bed while, Aimee prayed. Her heart was breaking for her best friend and, at the same time, she realized how much she took her mom for granted. She could never imagine her life without her mom.
“God, help
me to be more appreciative for all the blessings I have in my life. And more observant to those around me. Amen.”
She took the photo of her and her mother and placed it on the other side of her bed, facing away from Aimee. She ran to the restroom as soon as Aimee was out.
Aimee decided to roll her hair today. So, while Piper was in the shower, she found her hot rollers and rolled her hair. She applied her make up, still waiting for Piper to come out of shower. When she did come out, she went straight to her wardrobe.
“Piper, you didn’t have to move your picture.”
Piper turned toward her friend. “I’m sorry. I should have been paying more attention to your feelings. If you ever want to talk, I am here.”
“Thanks Piper; but, right now, I need to focus on something else.”
Piper went to work on her hair. “Ok, let’s talk about dinner last night.”
“What about dinner?”
“You went with Aiden.”
“So.”
“Did you know he has a girlfriend?”
“Yeah, he told me. Her name is Ava, right?”
“Yeah, and did he tell you how jealous she is?”
“No.”
“I bet he didn’t tell you he is Prince Aiden Kaiser.”
Aimee looked at Piper. “No, so he is a Neahovian Prince?”
Piper took her clothes to the restroom, stopping in front of the door. “He is second in line for the throne. I told him to tell you before we had to go to administration. When we get there, we have to sign a Privacy Statement.”
Aimee started taking her rollers out. “I am fine with that. I think my dad has arranged one for me as well. He wants to make sure I stay out of tabloids.”
“Oh, right. He's running for some kind of office, isn’t he?”
“Senate.”
When Piper came out of the bathroom, Aimee was picking out her outfit. “We need to go shopping, fast.” Piper remarked, as she sat on Aimee’s bed.
Before Aimee could respond, Lexi and Sophia ran into the room. “Did we hear the word shopping?” They spoke in unison.
“Yes, have you looked in Aimee’s closet?”
Lexi stood with her mouth half opened. “Oh my, honey, is that all the clothes you have?”
Piper snickered. “This is all she brought with her, blondie.”
Lexi giggled. “Thank goodness. So, do you have money or a credit card, so we can take you shopping?”
“Lexi Medine.” Sophia slapped her shoulder.
“What? I just need to know what she can spend, so we can plan what Boutiques to go shopping at.”
Aimee laughed. “I have a credit card; and, after we are done on campus today, I have a meeting with a finance friend of my dad’s. He is going to help set up a bank account.”
A plan was made to go to some local Boutiques close to campus that afternoon; and then, the next day, they would go to Huffington Square (Neahovian version of a mall).
Aimee went to get dressed and when she returned, Lexi was sitting on Aimee’s bed with a confused look on her face. “What’s wrong, Lexi?”
“I was just thinking, if that is all your clothes, what was in the luggage, boxes, and trunk the guys carried up?”
Aimee laughed. “The trunk had my beauty supplies, hair accessories, and jewelry. The luggage and boxes held my clothes, bedding, and these...” Aimee pulled out a rolling storage compartment made especially for her.
Lexi’s mouth dropped open. “How many shoes did you bring?”
Aimee smiled. “This holds twenty-two pair. My Toms, flats, and sandals are in the trunk. Plus, my boots are still in a box.”
Lexi held up a pair of sandals. “What size shoes do you wear?”
Sophia looked at Lexi. “If you can ask that, I want to know how tall she is.”
Piper came over. “Please, tell me I did not hear you right. You might as well ask her weight too.”
Aimee laughed. “It’s ok Piper, I wear an 8 1/2 to 9, depending on the shoe. I am 5ft. 7.5 in. and I weigh 140 lbs.”
Lexi, still holding the sandals, grinned. “Lucky me. I wear the same size.” She glanced over at Piper. “5ft. 7in. and 135 lbs.”
Sophia stood and stretched. “I am 5ft. even, I weigh 110 lbs. and I wear a size six. Your shoes are safe from me.”
Everyone laughed and turned to Piper. “I am 5ft.5in. Weigh 120 lbs. and she already knows I can wear her shoes.”
The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as the girls made their way to the kitchen. Aiden was sitting on the counter, enjoying a cup of coffee, while Colin was eating a bowl of cereal. Aimee took a cup from the cabinet and poured her coffee as Aiden hopped off the counter. “We need to be at the Administration. Building at 10:30.”
Lexi sat at the table and began making a list of the supplies they needed. Aimee enjoyed, what may have been, the best cup of coffee she had ever drank. Before leaving, Lexi had Colin took a group photo and then one just of the girls. Everyone agreed not to post them on social media.
The Administration Building was a short 15 minute walk from the flat. That was another thing Aimee was liking about staying in Neahovia. Everything was so conveniently located. Aimee hung in the back, paying attention to landmarks. Eventually, Aiden slowed his pace to let her catch up with him. “Are you ok?”
“Yeah.”
“Then why are you so quiet?”
Aimee shrugged her shoulders. “Aiden, do you think we can be friends?”
“Yeah, why?”
She stopped and looked him in the eyes. “Because, friends don’t keep secrets. When did you plan on telling me you are Prince Aiden?”
Aiden looked at the ground then back up. “Lexi?”
“No, Piper. She felt I should know before we got to the Administration Building.”
“I was going to tell you on the walk here.”
“Why not last night?”
“I hope you don’t take this wrong, but I have to watch who I trust. I wanted you to know me as Aiden first.”
“But, Prince Aiden is part of who you are.”
“It’s a title, Aimee, not a descriptive characteristic.”
“Ok, I can get that. My dad is running for Senate and our family is well known in the states; so, I know how hard it can be to trust people.”
“So, all is forgiven and no more secrets?”
Aimee nodded. “Deal.”
Aiden and Aimee walked a bit slower than everyone else. He kept drilling her on how her dad running for Senate, made her family popular with the Tabloids. She finally agreed to tell him later, when the seven friends could be alone.
♥ ♥
Aiden was truly amazed at how well Aimee handled the news that he was a Prince. Most people, especially girls, went crazy when they found out. But, she was calm about it. Maybe it’s because of her family being popular in United States. All he knew, was that normally, it took him months to form friendships; and, with Aimee, it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours yet and he felt like he could trust her more than some people he had known for years.
“Hey, the building is this way.” Colin yelled.
“We knew that. We were just making sure you knew.” Aiden yelled back.
Piper took them both by the arm. “Is everything all worked out? She knows you’re a Prince and you know she is the daughter of a US Politician running for Senate. All is good in the world of Flat 707?”
They just grinned at her.
Colin held the door. “Ladies first.”
Aimee was the last girl to enter. “Aimee, I must say, you are taking Aiden’s news so well.”
She smiled and leaned toward Colin like she was whispering. “He is just as normal as any of us. He puts his pants on one leg at a time.”
Colin laughed. “I really like this girl.”
Piper stood tall. “I told you guys she’s great.”
Sophia looked around. “Aimee, I am confused though. Piper was telling us about your dad and the privacy statement we would sign fo
r you. I didn’t realize being a Candidate for Senate’s daughter could make you so popular.”
Aimee laughed. “It does when you have a step mom like mine.”
Josiah looked at her. “Is she some kind of rock star?”
“She wished. I’ll explain later.”
Once everyone was done in the administration office, they had a guided tour of the campus, which ended at the Campus Bookstore. Everyone got their schedules and class books at the store, before heading to eat.
They chose a pub, just off campus, for an early lunch. They sat at a table near the front of the pub. Aimee was eating a sandwich recommended by Lexi. It was very tasty; however, she kept noticing Colin staring at her. “Do I have something on my face, Colin?”
“No.”
“Then why are you staring at me?” Her bluntness caused a round of laughter at the table.
“This place is practically empty; so, tell us why you are so popular back in the United States.”
Aimee looked around. The place was empty, except for the two guys at the bar, and one gentleman setting in the far corner from them. “Ok, but this is embarrassing, so no one can laugh.”
She waited until they all agreed. “My stepmother has turned my dad’s campaign into a reality show.”
Aimee watched as they each held back their laughter, but Piper just couldn’t. “I am sorry, Aimee. I can’t see you on one of those shows.”
“I know. That is why I managed to not be in very many of the episodes. But, that doesn’t stop the paparazzi. They are like little weeds everywhere they shouldn’t be. I insisted I wanted a normal college experience and that the Paparazzi could not know where I was attending college. In fact, apart from you guys, no one but my dad, stepmom, and close family knows where I am attending college.”
Aiden looked at her. “So, is that why you chose Neahovia, to hide from the paparazzi?”
Aimee looked down and then at Piper; now, she needed to tell her secret. “My mom was from Neahovia.”
Everyone sat quiet for a minute. Then, Sophia looked at her. “That’s the first time you mentioned your mother.”
Lexi turned to Piper. “She brought her up first, Piper.” Aimee looked at Piper, who just sat there.
Colin took over the conversation. “Piper threatened us this morning. She dared us to bring up your mom.”
BREAKTHROUGH (Love's Not Easy Series Book 2) Page 22
