The rest of the crowd on deck cheered, and then Seb led them back up the stairs to the dancing deck. She caught Arlo’s expression as they turned the corner. Therese Finley was standing too close to him, trying to tell him something, but he was watching Amara with an open mouth. She waved for him to come, too, and then she was up on top and out of sight.
The music turned up louder, and with the influx of ten more women, who made up the Finley family and their friends, the dance floor had a new level of energy.
Splashes sounded off the side. Seb put her down. “So, there you go! No hiding?” He held out a fist for her to bump.
She knocked hers to his. “No hiding.” And he was right. She had nothing to be ashamed of. If she wanted Arlo in her life, she needed to show him that she fit in with his crowd. And just because a Finley showed up, didn’t mean Amara’s place in the world was less important.
She moved to the edge. People were swimming in the crystal-clear water. She turned to look out at the ocean beyond the bay. The waves looked darker to her, the tips white-capped. Weather might be picking up. Tonight she’d ask Arlo what his weather app was showing.
When she turned around, Emily’s brothers had joined the dance crowd. The Americans. She waved, and Leo, Flynn, and Milo came right over. “Clara said you were up here.” Leo kissed her cheeks.
She greeted all three. Americans were great in their complete obliviousness towards or understanding of class. They loved the royals, of course, with a sort of fan love that just fed the royal ego. But they were willing to hang with anyone, and chill with, befriend, or date whoever suited them. Amara could appreciate that.
“So, what’s the beautiful Amara doing these days?” Leo sidled up next to her, his back leaning on the railing.
“Still in Prague, taking a break this summer. I’ll be done next year. What about you guys?”
“Now that we got the business back up and running, we’re just chilling. We’ll be here all summer.” Leo raised an eyebrow. “You too?”
“Yup. I’ll be here”—she pointed down at the deck—“this month, and then I’ll be around the rest of the summer.”
“Awesome. Come with us! We’re heading to Mallorca for the yacht race and then to Torren for waterskiing.”
“That’s awesome. I’m in.”
“And Arlo?” Leo’s question seemed loaded with much more than Amara knew how to answer.
“Uh, I don’t know. We could ask him.”
Right then, Therese made her entrance on the dance floor, dragging Arlo by the hand.
Leo lifted his chin in their direction. “Or maybe not, right?”
“Yeah, maybe not.” Amara shrugged.
“Hey, come on. Let’s dance.”
The music slowed down a bit and Leo pulled her close. He was friendly enough, a gentleman. Amara was grateful for that.
“I’m so happy things are going better with Mountain Blue. I hear your dad really built something special.”
“He did. And we really did turn things around. We can thank Emily, and Rhett too. My sister knows her stuff.” He shrugged. “Honestly, I’m just glad to get a bit of my schedule back. Desk sitting isn’t my thing.”
“I can totally relate.” Though she was thinking more along the lines of planting roses. She laughed. “My apartment in Prague is in this beautiful building, gorgeous architecture. But I just keep wanting to go outside. And then it’s icy cold. It’s nice to be back out on the water.”
The boat dipped more than usual.
“But this weather is making me wonder. Have you seen a forecast recently?” Amara asked.
“What, this? Nah. I haven’t checked in days, but last I looked we were clear skies for most of the month. The closest storm was miles away.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way.”
“We can’t let a little weather shut down the party of the year.”
“Yeah, no way.” Amara smiled, but she couldn’t help worrying that something was brewing.
Therese laughed overly loud and then, before Amara could turn away, she looked right at her and stepped closer to Arlo, whispering something in his ear.
After dancing, the food came. Someone had ordered in some catering from a restaurant onshore. Tables were set up, and the Mediterranean fare she’d missed her whole time in Prague was spread out in front of her. She reached for the grapes, the figs, the cheese, and the meats. Then she tried to find a place to sit. The guys called to her from a crowded table. Leo patted his lap, but she waved them away. She could find a place somewhere. She went looking for Clara.
She found her sister laughing with a couple of the women who came with the Finleys. Felix was nearby and several of the others. Amara waved and lifted her plate. Clara waved her over.
“Look at this stuff. Fresh fruits from onshore.” Amara smiled.
“Hey, sis. Amara, these are friends of the Finleys: Jez and Tiff.”
“Nice to meet you two. I’m Amara, Clara’s sister.”
“Oh yeah, we know who you are. You’re Arlo’s.”
“Arlo’s?”
“Yeah. No one is quite sure what you two are, but you’re something.” Tiff laughed. “He’s so hot. I wish I grew up with someone like Arlo.” She shivered and then laughed. “But hey, if that gets old, there are plenty of us that can take him off your hands.”
“Yeah, like Therese.” Jez nudged her. But Tiff waved her away. “Whatever. She doesn’t have any more claim than anyone else.”
Clara winced and smiled an apology to Amara.
“Hey, I’m gonna go sit on deck. It’s nice out there.” The rolling of the boat made her queasy. It must be getting worse.
She made her way out, and as she looked around at everyone, she knew she was ready for some quiet. Somehow a portion of the railing was free on the quiet side of the boat. She leaned out on one forearm, her plate in the other hand, and studied the setting sun. They say that if you watch carefully you can see a flash of green right as it sets. But Amara had never seen such a thing. She’d been watching sunsets on the water nearly her whole life and never had a flash of green made an appearance.
“Hey.” Suddenly Arlo was at her side.
“What? Hey!” She smiled, unable to stop her delight at seeing him.
“You getting your Amara recharge?”
She studied him. “You know. I didn’t even realize it, but that’s exactly what I’m doing. Suddenly nothing was much fun, so I found some quiet.”
“Am I messing with your battery?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“No, you can be part of the recharge.”
“Oh good, ’cause I need a break.”
She studied him. “Grape?”
“Oh yeah, thanks.” He popped one into his mouth. His late-afternoon scruff along his jawline and his hair, scuffed up from the wind, made him better-looking than ever. Yeah. Arlo was hot. He turned to her. “This is weird.”
“What?”
“This party, with everyone here. And you. I don’t like it.”
“You don’t?”
“Well, no. You coming in on Seb’s shoulders, surrounded by the guys…”
“You getting drooled on by the Finleys.”
“Drool?”
“Totally, you just can’t see it. Invisible girl-drool.”
“Hmm.” He bumped their shoulders together. “You saying you’re jealous?”
“Of a little girl-drool? No way. I know what you really like.”
“Ho ho! And what’s that?”
“Mud pies in the backyard. Sandcastles. And the top mango from the tree behind the cottage.”
He nodded and looked back out at the ocean. “Unfair advantage.” His smile showed how pleased he was.
“I gotta take what I can get. A gardener doesn’t have much else when compared to a bunch of princesses.”
“Oh no?”
“Well, I don’t know.” She stared into his eyes. “Am I losing you? I know I’ve been…difficult.” She screamed inside. That was so bol
d. So brave. Was she admitting she liked him—that friendship wasn’t enough?
He stepped closer. “I’ve been trying to show you.” He reached out and placed a hand on her hip.
She held her breath.
“You mean so much more to me than any of them.” His eyes stared into hers with hope, with…love.
“But what does that mean? What are we?”
“You gonna make me be the first one to say it?”
Her grin started small and then grew. “Heh. Say what exactly?” She stepped closer, looking up into the face of the man she’d loved since before she could even remember loving.
His response was immediate. His mouth covered hers with an intensity that said way more than words ever could. He pulled her close, as close as she could be. Her hands wrapped around him. His lips pressed against hers, again and again, until she couldn’t think or breathe. “Arlo,” she mumbled against him.
He paused immediately, looking into her face, his eyes dark, burning.
“I love you.”
He backed her up to the side of the boat, away from the railing, and kissed her again. All the years of wondering, waiting, hoping that they’d have more than friendship, that their chemistry was real, expressed themselves in her response. Arlo was hers. And she couldn’t get enough.
Loud clapping interrupted them.
In a daze, she opened her eyes and looked up. Felix called down, “It’s about time.”
The others laughed and cheered.
Arlo held her close. For the first time, Amara couldn’t get a read on his expression. But he didn’t meet her eyes. He looked away. “Sorry about that.”
Sorry? Why was he sorry? “Wait, what?”
Therese peeked down. “Arlo, when you’re done slumming, I need you.”
He stiffened. “I’m so sorry.” He reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
“Now doesn’t seem like a good time to be sorry.” She crossed her arms. “Unless you’re embarrassed—of us…of me.” She stared at his face until he met her eyes. His self-conscious expression made her ill. “You are.” She turned, shaking her head, furious, mortified. “I can’t believe it.”
“No. I’m not.” He glanced up at their audience. “Amara, don’t.”
She waved a hand behind her. “You know where to find me.” She swung her legs over the railing and slid down the ladder to the dinghy.
His face appeared above. “I’m coming with you.”
“Only if you swim.” She untied the boat, turned on the motor, and sped away toward his yacht. He could go answer the princess’s summons. What a witch. Slumming. Amara was finished with this crowd. Why spend your life around people who would always feel superior?
As soon as she reached the yacht, she hurried to her room and started throwing things back into her suitcase.
She texted Clara. I’m leaving. You can stay, but watch yourself.
Word would spread, and Clara would check her phone in a little bit.
Now, to find a taxi from shore to come get her.
9
Arlo raced around the boat to find another dinghy. If he had to, he’d swim, but he’d much rather not. Who knew what Amara would do, honestly. He wouldn’t be surprised if she was headed to shore to catch a flight home. She’d already shown him she could live her life without him. She’d done it all last year.
But her kiss. He was still shaken by the intense feeling that raced through him. Wow, he wanted her. But the emotion surprised him. She’d said, “I love you.” And he’d lost it. He was filled with his own love for her. And the feeling was so powerful he didn’t know what to do with it. Except he knew he could not let her go.
As he rounded the other side of the boat, Therese stepped out from the shadows. “Easy, Your Highness.”
He stopped short, willing himself to remain calm but wanting nothing more than to toss the woman aside. “That was way out of line.”
She sighed. “I know. I am sorry.” She adjusted her cover-up so that it did not slide off her shoulder. “But in a way it was also kind.”
“In what way was that kind?”
“Think about it. It’s way better to set realistic expectations. You might feel things for her. She might be fun for the night, or the year, or whatever, but is she someone you’re going to walk a red carpet with? Will she attend the next royals’ gala? Will your parents expect her on your arm when you accept your crown?”
He kicked himself for hesitating. But then he said, “Of course. She’s been with me from the beginning.”
“As your gardener. Really, Arlo. You know how things work. We all get carried away in the moment, but I did you a favor back there. I broke her heart before you would have had to.”
He shook his head. “No.”
She shrugged, a slight lift of one shoulder. “I’m patient, but figure this out before too long. We have a good thing, lots of potential. We’re exactly what our parents are hoping for, for our two nations.” She stepped closer. “And I know there’s some chemistry here. We could build on it.”
He turned away. “Not today. Look, thank you. We appreciate your family. But as you can see, I’m in the middle of something personal, so…” He indicated that he’d like to get by her.
“Of course, darling. And best of luck with that.” Her laugh made the hairs on his arms stand up as he ran to get the other dinghy.
But when he got to that corner of the boat, it was gone.
Then Clara ran up to him and swung her arm back like she was going to hit him.
He held up his hand and grabbed her wrist. “Whoa. What’s this?”
“I heard what you did to Amara.”
“I didn’t do anything!”
She raised both eyebrows.
“Well, nothing bad. Look, Clara, you have to help me. All the dinghies are gone, and I have to go after your sister.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You love her.”
“Of course I love her.”
She studied him a bit longer. “She’s gone.”
“What?” His heart hammered and he ran to the other end of the boat, studying the shoreline. A small water taxi powered away from them. “Amara!!!” He cupped his hands and yelled. But he knew it was fruitless.
“She can’t hear you.”
His gaze dropped to his toes. “What am I going to do?”
“Go after her.”
“I’m trying! Can’t you see that’s what I’m trying to do?”
The wind picked up and the boat lurched on what seemed like a larger wave than usual. Then his phone alert went off. From the sound of it, many on the boat did the same.
“What is it?” Clara’s voice held a hint of worry.
They both turned to look at the water taxi. It was almost to shore.
“The storm is coming.”
“What storm?”
He pulled up his phone’s weather app and then his eyes widened. “This isn’t good. The smudge from far away that I showed you? It’s almost here in the Mediterranean. It’s headed for Karpathos. We’re gonna get plenty of wind and rain. Everyone needs to dock their boats. Now.” He called Nico. Then Emily. They helped spread the word, and pretty soon everyone was packing up and getting their boats ready to dock.
Clara followed him until they were finally able to get a dinghy and return to his yacht. “The authorities say they have room in the local marina. And we can find space in a hotel if we want.”
“Do you think we should?” Clara seemed mostly calm.
“You could find Amara when we get there.”
“Or you could.”
He held up his phone. “I have to get home. This is going to hit Karpathos pretty hard.”
“Then I’m going with you.”
He nodded. Then he sent a screenshot of the storm report and images to Amara. “Please come back,” he texted. “We’re heading home. The jet will be at the airport in a couple hours. Come. I’ve got Clara.”
As soon as everything was packed and stored, Arlo
paused in the doorway of Amara’s cabin. She’d picked it all up and cleared out remarkably quickly. A soft hint of her perfume lingered.
Arlo closed his eyes. That kiss. Now that he’d at last kissed Amara, he would never be the same. Never ever could he imagine being with another. His every happiness now seemed to hinge on whether or not Amara would be with him forever. No way he could ever kiss another. Marry another? His heart stuttered for a moment at even the mention of marriage.
As the heir, marriage was always mentioned in regards to him and his future and the future of the country. But, personally, he had never given it much thought nor considered how he would feel about it. Honestly, as he considered his life, he knew he’d always assumed Amara would be a part of it. But Finley’s words really shook him, so much so that he hadn’t been able to respond at the time.
Would his parents put up a fuss? Really? Even if they knew how much he cared about Amara? He tried to think of her on his arm at a red-carpet event. And he couldn’t really picture it. But that’s just because he’d never done that with her. He could, couldn’t he? Of course. He pictured upcoming events in his mind. He’d invite her to one, and that would help him picture her there. She would prove that she fit in that part of his life, and his parents would agree, and all would be well.
Therese called over from her yacht. “My parents want you to know they’re fully prepared to offer support and aid for Karpathos. They expect to come a few days after the storm. We will be there with whatever you might need. You have our full support.”
“Thank you. I’ll be there in a few hours. Hopefully the storm passes us by.”
“I hope so too. Just know we’re prepared to do what it takes.”
“Thank you.”
“And Arlo.” Her expression turned insecure for a brief flash. “I’m sorry for what I said about Amara. I was hurt. You surprised me when all this time I’ve always thought…I’ve always hoped…Well, it doesn’t matter. Consider what I said. I’m still open to try and make this work.”
He nodded, unable to verbally acknowledge her offer. He started up the engine, pushed the button for the anchor to rise and then eased the boat into the queue of all the princes heading back to shore.
Best Friends with a Royal Billionaire Page 5
