by Adele Hart
As soon as we get to my aunt and uncle’s manor, I know something’s up. He’s a total dog, which is one of the things I don’t like about him. His mum, my aunt, has gone to bed already, but his father clearly has no plans to retire early. I’m hoping to heaven that it’s just going to be some drinking and maybe a little high stakes poker, but when we walk to the far corner of the manor, where the billiard room is, I see what’s in store. Topless waitresses are stationed throughout the massive room, ready to serve our every need. A pole has been set up in the middle of the floor, giving a not-so-subtle hint at what is to come.
I pull out my phone and swipe the screen, then say, “Damn. Sorry, Edwin, old chap. Looks like I’ll have to skip the party. My father needs me to take care of some business.”
Edwin gives me a skeptical look, then says, “I call horse shit. You just don’t want to get in trouble.”
“If I were you, I wouldn’t want to put myself in this position either. These things tend to turn out very poorly.”
“It’ll be fine! No one here is going to talk.” He grabs my phone from me before I can stop him and pockets it, then jogs quickly to one of the waitresses. Taking two drinks off her tray, he holds the glasses up. “To one last night of freedom!”
I stare, knowing he fully expects me to go insist he give me back my phone. He thinks he can use it as a bargaining chip to get me to stay here longer, but it won’t work. The security settings on my phone are virtually unhackable and unless someone cuts my thumb off, it’s utterly useless. Instead of kowtowing, I give him a slight nod and say, “Have fun,” then turn and walk out of the room, knowing I can come back and get it in a few hours when he’s so wasted he won’t remember he even has it.
I make my way to the library and select an Agatha Christie novel, then go to the guest room which I will be calling home for the night. Taking off my jacket and tie, I lie on the bed and crack open the book, deciding to read for a couple of hours before going back to get my phone.
***
I wake to the sound of giggling. When I open my eyes, a flash goes off, blinding me for a brief second. I blink, then realize there is a nude woman snuggled up to me and her hand is on my crotch. I roll away from her and off the bed, then see Edwin, swaying a little in his drunken stupor while he does something on his phone.
“Stop that, you idiot,” I command, charging across the room. “Give me that now.”
“Nope. I need a little insurance that you won’t rat me out to my lovely bride.”
“Delete it or I will see to it that your entire family loses your allowance.” Grabbing the phone from him, I realize it’s actually mine. He must have pressed it to my thumb while I was asleep. Seething with rage, I grab him by the shirt collar. “What did you do?”
“Nothing. I just took a photo. You can delete it if you like,” he says, holding his arms up in surrender.
“Who did you send it to?” I say, refusing to release him from my grip.
“No one. Relax. We were just playing around.”
“Well, don’t.” I push him back as I release him, and he loses his balance, landing on his bottom on the floor.
Turning to the woman, I say, “You should go home. Have you been paid for your trouble?”
“Not yet.” She folds her arms across her chest, looking suddenly very vulnerable, and my anger dissipates. “He said two more hours, then he’ll pay me.”
“He’s done for the night,” I say, taking a robe from the foot of my bed, then handing it to her. “Edwin, pay her.”
He shakes his head. “But I’m not done yet. I want to have some more fun before I’m tied down forever.”
Sighing, I shake my head at him. “You’re pathetic.”
Striding to the desk, I pluck my wallet out of my suit jacket and take out a wad of cash. Handing to the woman, I say, “Is this what he agreed to?”
Her eyes grow wide and she smiles at me. “It’s more than enough.”
“Good. I hope it’s enough to buy your silence.”
Nodding, she says, “I’ll never tell a soul.”
***
After they leave, I scroll through my phone, find the photo and delete it, then check to see if he’s somehow texted it to anyone. I can’t see an evidence of it, so thank God for small miracles. Deciding I’ve had enough of Edwin’s shit, I dress and text Gabriel to bring the car around because I’m ready to go home.
Chapter 15
Addison
It’s nearly one in the morning and I haven’t heard from Henry. I would have thought he’d have texted me by now, but I haven’t heard a peep from him. Every few minutes, I check my phone to see if I’ve somehow missed a message from him, but nothing comes, and I’m filled with a sense of dread. I finally shut off the light and close my eyes.
“Oh, it’s no use,” I say, throwing the covers off and getting up. Crossing the room, I make my way to the window to stare out at the view of the mountains. It’s snowing softly and I sigh, wishing I could enjoy the beautiful view. But the sense of dread that grips me won’t let me go. My phone buzzes and I hurry across the room, jump on the bed, and pick it up.
It’s a snap chat from Henry. I smile, swiping the screen to see what he sent me. Maybe a sexy pic of him.
I gasp when I see what he’s sent. It’s a picture of him lying in bed with a naked woman. She’s smiling at the camera and groping him with one hand while her enormous, fake breasts are right in his face. Dropping the camera, I start to shake a little as I stare at it until it fades off the screen. Why would he send me that? Is that his way of getting rid of me? To make me dump him?
Sobs shake my body and I force myself to stand. I rush to the closet and throw my things in my suitcases, then get dressed. I can’t stay here for another minute. Calling a taxi, I then sneak to the front doors of the palace and stand outside, waiting, and trying to stop crying. I’ve never felt so alone, so betrayed in my life. Everything he said was a lie.
Finally, the cab pulls up and I get in while the driver loads my things in the trunk. When he gets in, he asks, “Where to, Miss?”
“Airport please,” I whisper.
I need to get away from this place as fast as possible. I don’t know how I’ll pay for the flight, but I know I can’t stay here even a moment longer.
***
The airport is dead quiet. Nothing is open. Other than a janitor mopping the floors, I’m the only person here. He looks up at me and starts to say something, I imagine he’s going to tell me there’s no use waiting here, but then he sees my teary, red eyes and a look of understanding crosses his face. He gives me a little nod and goes back to mopping.
I find the kiosk for Delta Airlines, and sit at a nearby chair, curling my legs up under my chin and trying not to sob. You’re okay, Addie. You’ve been through worse. You’ll get through this too. Just forget about him. By tonight, you’ll be back home, safe in your little apartment, in your real world.
Before long, exhaustion takes over me and I drift off to sleep.
***
I’m almost woken with a kiss on the cheek. I don’t startle because I’ve been dreaming about Henry and this kiss fits with my dream. I snuggle into his warm body and sigh happily. Then in an instant, it all comes back to me. Bianca. The photo. I sit up fast and open my eyes, only to see Henry’s gorgeous face.
He looks so worried as he says, “Why are you leaving?”
“Isn’t this what you want?” I ask, standing to get away from him.
He stands too and takes hold of my upper arms gently. “No, of course not. Why would you think that?”
“Because you sent me that…photo.”
His shoulders fall. “Let me explain. It wasn’t what it…”
“Looked like?” I roll my eyes. “Please. Just don’t.”
“Addison, I promise you, I left as soon as I saw what was going on tonight. I went straight to my room to read. After I fell asleep, they sneaked into my room and took that photo.”
Shaking my head, I s
ay, “It doesn’t matter anyway. We can’t make this work.”
“Of course we can, but you have to believe in us.”
“There’s no point. We’ll just be fighting an uphill battle the entire time.”
“So we fight. We fight until the rest of the world sees that we’re perfect for each other. They’ll get the picture eventually and if they don’t, I’ll give it all up and we can live in the U.S. permanently.”
“You can’t do that. You’re much too important to allow someone like me to ruin your life.”
“There you go with that ‘someone like you’ bit again,” he says, swiping one hand though his hair in frustration. “I can’t be the only one who believes in us, Addie. If you can’t learn to trust me, this will never work.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. This will never work.”
“You’re wrong.”
“No, I’m right. You’re just too blind to see the truth,” I say, lifting my jaw.
“Dammit. I never should have brought you back here. I wanted to think that the people I know are better than this, but they’ve shown me otherwise.”
“I really appreciate how hard you’ve tried to make this work, Henry,” I say, touching his cheek one last time. “But it just won’t. It’s just time to face the truth.”
“Never. I’m never giving you up. I made you a promise and I’m going to keep it.”
“Don’t do this to yourself. I’m not worth it.”
Setting his jaw, he says, “You don’t know your own worth. No one has ever shown you, but I will. If you want to go home, I’ll go with you.”
“You can’t. You’ve got the wedding and another bride waiting. She told me her father will ruin your family if you don’t marry her. I can’t be responsible for that.”
Henry sighs. “She’s wrong. They think they can control our fate, but they can’t. My father has been quietly working on gaining support for the monarchy and for getting her father voted out.”
“I want to believe you, I do, but…”
“But what? You’re going to let some horrible people run you out of town with your tail between your legs? Please tell me you’re stronger than that.”
“I wish I were, Henry, but I don’t have it in me to be rejected by an entire kingdom of people. I’ve spent enough of my life being rejected.” Tears fill my eyes as the truth spills out of my mouth. “I just can’t. I’m sorry. I wish I could be stronger. If you love me, you’ll let me go.”
I turn, relieved to see that the airline counter is finally open. I straighten my back and walk away from the only man I’ll ever love.
Chapter 16
Addison
It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m back at the café. I’ve taken as many shifts as I can get since I got home. Anything to keep my mind off my new reality. I’m alone again. I haven’t heard from Henry, so at least he’s doing what I asked. I had half expected him to beat me to Boston and meet me at the airport with an armful of roses. But he didn’t and I’m glad. It would only have prolonged the inevitable. It’s better to make a clean break so we can each get on with our lives. As much as it’s killing me, I know it’s better this way.
The café is nearly empty, with most people off at parties tonight. Only one couple sits side-by-side at a booth at the back. Henry’s booth. They look to be in their forties and seem so happy. We chatted a bit when I brought them their lattes and they were just on their way to a movie, excited that their kids are at their grandparents for the night. I try not to stare at them while I rearrange the pastries under the counter, wishing I could make a normal life with a normal guy. A good guy. I don’t need a prince. I just need someone who will love me and want a life with me.
A few minutes later, the couple gets up out of the booth. They bring their empty mugs and plates and set them on the counter.
“Oh, thank you.”
“Thank you. Happy New Year.”
“Same to you. Have fun tonight,” I call to them as the door swings shut behind them, allowing a blast of cold air into the café.
I hum along to Please Come Home for Christmas by Bon Jovi while I pour some hot water into the sink. I plunge my hands into the soapy water and find myself singing, “If not for Christmas, by New Year’s Day.”
The bell chimes above the front door and barely glance over, but call, “I’ll be with you in just a second.”
I wipe off my hands and say, “What can I get…” my voice trails off when I see him standing there, his eyes glistening.
“I tried. I really did, Addison, but I couldn’t stay away.” He takes a few steps toward me.
I tear up, hardly able to stand the sight of him so near. I shouldn’t want him. Clearing my throat, I say, “You shouldn’t have come, Henry.”
“I have something I had to tell you and I needed to say it in person.”
“Nothing you could say will make any difference. You’re a prince. I’m a waitress,” I say, pointing back and forth between us. “This can’t happen.”
“You’re wrong. I’m not a prince.”
“Wait. I don’t understand.” My entire body hums with nervous energy. I whisper, “What are you saying?”
He takes a few more steps and comes behind the counter, closing the distance between us. “I quit. I told my parents that I was sorry but I couldn’t live the life they wanted for me.”
“You can’t quit. It’s your birthright.” I lift my hand to my mouth, shocked. “You can’t give all that up for me.”
“Yes, I can. And I did,” he says, pulling me into his arms. “And I’ve never been so happy in my entire life.”
Crushing my mouth with his, he stops any further protests. We kiss and hold each other as tears roll down my cheeks. His hands go to my rear and he lifts me up in his arms and holds me there against him. We’re as close as two people who are fully clothed can be. His kiss says how much he missed me and how much he loves me and how much he needs me and mine says the same thing in return.
A light cough from the other side of the café has him pulling back a bit. Gabriel says, “I believe some customers are about to walk in, Miss Cooke.”
“Thank you,” I say, blushing deep red.
“Not at all,” he says with a nod.
Henry puts me down just as the doors open and a small group of customers come in. Instead of going to sit down, he wishes them a happy new year and asks what he can get them. My mouth drops open while he takes their order, and as we work together to prepare their drinks, he whispers to me, “I’ll have to learn a new trade. Might as well start with this.”
I grin at him. “I can put in a good word for you with the manager.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
***
We ring in the new year in Henry’s bed. Just the two of us, naked and panting while we recover from round two of what is going to be the greatest night of starting over in the history of romance. I sigh happily as he traces my hip with his fingertips.
“God, I missed you. You have no idea.” He kisses his way down to my hip, then says, “Every inch of you.” Kissing my side, he says, “Like this bit right here. Mmm. Delicious.”
I laugh a little and lie back, letting him take his time exploring me with his mouth and pointing out all the ways he missed me. I’ve never been so happy in my entire life. And the best part is, I know he feels the same way. He loves me for who I am and what I am and he always will.
When he works his way back up to me, he says, “You’re mine. You’re all mine and you really are all I need for the rest of my life.”
“I can’t believe you gave up your throne for me.”
“Totally worth it.”
My heart pounds a little faster when I think about what he’s done. “Are you sure you won’t regret it later?”
“Positive. We’re going to have an amazing life together. We’re going to get married and find excellent jobs. You’ll be a magnificent lawyer.” He grins. “You better be because we may have to rely on you
r income. My international relations degree might prove useless now.”
“Don’t worry baby, I’ll find a way to keep you fed and clothed,” I say with a laugh.
“You better.”
And then he’s kissing me again and his hand works its way in between my quivering thighs. I’m tired from what we’ve done, but I can’t stop myself from wanting more. With us, there will always be more.
Epilogue
Henry - Two Years Later
I stand at the front of the old stone church watching her come up the aisle. Hers is the only face I see as she walks toward me on her mother’s arm. She’s utterly enchanting in the lace gown and veil. She’s perfect. And she’s about to be mine.
In the past two years, we’ve managed to help her mother get cleaned up. She’s now living in a nice apartment and has held down a reception job at a dentist’s office for several months now.
I glance at my parents, who are standing in the front pew, smiling at me. My mother looks like she’s going to cry, but not because she’s upset. She’s thrilled to have her son back, and last night she admitted that she’s excited to welcome Addison to the family. After I gave up my throne and went back to Boston, my parents followed me to talk me out of it. I was at the café with Addison when they found me. I was working with her behind the counter and we both had our books out, studying between customers. They were so impressed that their son was actually applying himself that their icy resistance to Addie started to crack right then and there.
Over the next week, they got to know Addison for the good person she is. They knew she left for my sake, to free me from my obligation to her, which meant she wasn’t some gold digger, but someone who truly loved me. They got to see us in our life there and how happy we made each other, and soon, my mum told us that we had her blessing. “Anyone who can get this one to work hard, has my vote.”
My parents apologized to Addison and begged her forgiveness, and being the princess she is, she forgave them on the spot. Since that time, the four of us have spent many an hour together, skiing, playing cards after dinner, even watching some movies. I’ve gotten to know them better than I ever have and I have to say, they’re actually quite likable.
