There's Something About Nik

by Sara Hantz

  Lauren made it sound so simple, but Amber wasn’t so sure. Yes, she was starting to like him. But they were so different. Wade and she were different, and look what a disaster that had turned out to be. Friendship was the way to go. She was sure of it.

  Chapter Five

  Nik spied Kurt mopping near the lockers during morning break. He scanned the corridor and saw that no one else was near. He lifted his hand to the side of his mouth. “Psst.” It was dramatic, but he knew Kurt enjoyed the drama of sneaking around.

  Kurt glanced up and on seeing Nik, he changed direction, mopping toward him.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Gustafsson.” He continued mopping near Nik’s feet.

  “It’s okay, Kurt. No one is near.”

  Kurt took his undercover maintenance duties very seriously, even taking instructions on how to clean from the palace head housekeeper before they’d left for the U.S. Nothing made Kurt happier than when his job took on the trappings of a Lutgenstadt spy.

  “Sorry, sir. Is there a problem I should know about?” Kurt rested the mop against one of the lockers.

  “No. Everything’s good. I wanted to let you know that I’m going out this afternoon for a walk with Amber Delaney.”

  “A walk?” Kurt knitted his brows together.

  “Yes, on the school grounds. I’ve asked her to help me with my studies,” he said in a casual voice.

  “Was that, as they say in America, a line?” Kurt asked, a gleam in his eye.

  “A line?” Nik pretended not to understand what the bodyguard meant.

  He’d never had to use lines in the past, and he wasn’t going to start now. Not least because he had no idea whether he’d be successful at it.

  “You want to date this young lady, and this is your excuse for doing so.” Kurt arched a questioning brow.

  Absolutely not. “You’ve been watching too much TV. We’re friends. And she’s agreed to help me. Nothing in it,” Nik emphasized, suspecting it was more to himself than to answer Kurt.

  “Of course not, sir.” The corners of his mouth twitched as he tried and failed to hide his amusement.

  Nik opened his mouth to respond when a door banged, and Kurt immediately took hold of his mop and headed off down the corridor.

  …

  Nik stood next to the tree, waiting for Amber to meet him after school was out. His stomach clenched. He knew it was nerves. But he didn’t understand why. It wasn’t like they were dating, as he’d made clear to Kurt. He’d never experienced nerves in the past when seeing a girl. Or before meeting anyone, for that matter. It was most disconcerting. And not something he would want to replicate.

  He wondered whether it was because Josh had told him that Amber thought him arrogant. Josh had then explained how he might go about mimicking a regular teenager rather than European royalty.

  As it was such a lovely day, Nik decided they could have their lesson outdoors walking in the school grounds, which were extensive and pretty, with vibrant colors. Autumn was his favorite season. The vivid red and yellow leaves lay like a blanket over the rugged terrain. It was breathtaking.

  “Hey.”

  Amber’s singsong voice grabbed his attention, and he turned to see her standing a few yards away. As she walked toward him, his eyes were drawn to her slender, shapely legs, hugged by light denim shorts. Her bright pink tank finished off the outfit. He was reminded of the saying cute as a button, because that’s exactly how she seemed to him. He cringed at the sight of the camera hanging around her neck. He hoped she didn’t expect to take his photo. No photographs allowed was right at the top of his personal list of rules. For obvious reasons. He wondered how he was going to explain that to Amber without upsetting her.

  “Hello.” He managed an awkward wave, his arm stiff.

  He’d never felt this uncomfortable in his life. He stood tall, determined not to show this frustrating side of himself, convinced that it would soon disappear. He just needed to take control of himself and the situation.

  As she got closer, a dazzling smile broke out on her face, and for the first time, he noticed two tiny dimples in her cheeks. She hadn’t smiled large enough for them to appear before.

  “You look very serious,” Amber said, as she reached him.

  Remembering Josh’s instructions, he dropped his shoulders and tried to appear more relaxed by leaning into the tree.

  “My apologies.” He dipped his head slightly, before remembering that Josh had also told him not to do that since it was a serious affectation that no one of their age would have. He disagreed. Plenty of young people Nik knew behaved the same. The fact that those people were thousands of miles away was irrelevant. But, since so far he’d been less than successful in his dealings with Amber, he’d err on the side of caution and take Josh’s advice.

  Amber giggled. “Sorry,” she said, placing her hand over her mouth.

  The hairs rose on the back of his neck. Being the subject of someone’s jokes wasn’t something he was used to, and he found it hard not to show how much it bothered him.

  “What for?” Nik demanded.

  He winced inwardly as he watched the flush creep up Amber’s cheeks. Now he’d made her feel uncomfortable, which wasn’t a good start. Maybe this lesson business wasn’t such a good idea after all.

  “Laughing at you.” She lowered her eyes. “It’s just that little bow you just did. You’re so different from the rest of us.” She glanced up at him, and he smiled reassuringly, hoping it would be enough to put them back on track.

  “Yes. Josh is teaching me how to fit in in America,” he said with confidence. At least he hoped it sounded confident. So far, nothing he’d done helped him blend in. Instead, all he’d succeeded in doing was set himself up for ridicule. If only there was an online site he could check out to help. Because it didn’t seem like Josh was helping much.

  “Well, don’t change too much. It’s good to be different sometimes,” she said, softly.

  Nik’s eyes widened in surprise. “You think so?” Maybe he’d been trying too hard the whole time.

  “Definitely. Though there are some things that you might consider changing.” She looked sheepish, but it didn’t stop her lips turning up into a tiny smile.

  He frowned. This was becoming way too confusing.

  “There’s something about me which you find funny?” He shifted awkwardly under her scrutiny.

  “Not you! It’s your clothes.” She looked him up and down.

  Nik glanced down at his jeans and polo shirt, not understanding. He certainly hadn’t expected his clothes to be the subject of her appraisal. He’d deliberately dressed casually. Also, Josh hadn’t said anything about his dress, and surely he would have done. His hands clenched by his side. Why did she think it was okay to criticize him in this way?

  “You don’t like what I’m wearing?” He frowned.

  “Your clothes are fine if you’re a middle-aged, married guy with kids.” She stood with her hand on her hip and scrutinized him again.

  He drew in a deep breath. “I don’t think…”

  “Hey. I’m teasing,” Amber interrupted. “Don’t they tease where you’re from?”

  As much as he’d love to tell her that in his country, people wouldn’t dare tease the royal family, he realized that he couldn’t. It would be a most foolhardy thing to even consider and very much against protocol. He could imagine how his parents would react if they discovered that he was even contemplating revealing his true identity after not even two weeks in the country.

  “Yes, of course. I just didn’t understand that’s what you were doing.” He shrugged, hoping she wouldn’t think it was nothing important.

  “Sorry. Sometimes my mouth gets the better of me. All I wanted to say was that you’re not dressing like a typical American guy. Not that it matters. You could wear a garbage bag, and you’d look great. Come on, let’s go for a walk.” She slipped her cell into her back pocket.

  “But I do want to dress like an American. I want to f
it in. I’m not sure anything in my wardrobe will suit, though.” He grimaced.

  Really? Now I’m after her pity. Surely that must be the most unprincely thing I’ve ever done. And not something I’m proud of.

  “I know,” Amber suggested, resting her hand gently on his arm. “Let’s go to the mall next weekend. I’ll find you some cool clothes to wear. Help you fit in.” Her eyes twinkled, and he found himself entranced. Shopping with Amber was something he would very much like to do.

  So maybe being unprincely can be a good thing, under the right circumstances.

  “Thank you. That’s most kind of you.”

  …

  Amber watched Nik in her peripheral vision, as they walked away from school down the tree-lined drive in the direction of the copse. One of her favorite places. She couldn’t make him out. He’d flared up so quickly when she’d teased him, and yet he seemed so vulnerable when he talked about fitting in. But he certainly didn’t come across as a guy who was unsure of himself in any way. If anything, most of the time, he seemed the exact opposite. Perhaps he was just pretending to seem vulnerable, to appeal to her softer side. Which made him very manipulative.

  But he didn’t seem like the sort of guy to be like that, either. He was a mystery, that was for sure. He was also playing with her head big time.

  She was still reeling inside over her decision to offer to take him shopping. What on earth possessed her to do that? It wasn’t even as if Lauren had suggested she do it. The whole idea had been hers. She’d clearly forgotten that the whole point of her agreeing to meet him today was to study. Now she’d arranged something else. Crazy. “Oh look.” She pointed, suddenly distracted by the sight of two small ducks perched precariously on top of a wooden fence running alongside the perimeter of the school grounds. She hurried over. Their glossy green and black heads glistened from the sun’s rays. She studied them through the lens, and all thoughts she’d been having about shopping with Nik evaporated as her love for nature and photography took over.

  With Nik and school—in fact, life in general—she often felt overwhelmed and out of control. But when it was just her and the camera, the whole world made sense.

  She took the first shot and then turned as she heard Nik’s footsteps behind her.

  “You rushed off so quickly, I thought something was on fire,” he said. With anyone else, it would have been a joke. With Nik…?

  It was like this vulnerable side showing itself again. It was fake. It had to be.

  “Sorry. Just seeing those sweet little ducks over there, I had to take a few shots. They’d be perfect for my portfolio.”

  She lifted her camera and stepped carefully in their direction, not wanting to scare them. She began snapping them from different angles. They were so cute.

  “Your portfolio?” She shivered as Nik’s breath caressed the back of her neck.

  She lowered her camera and turned to face him, taking a step backward to put some distance between them.

  “Yes. I’m putting together a portfolio for a photography internship I’m applying for,” she replied.

  Last night, she’d downloaded the forms and had begun thinking about the best way to put her application together. It was going to take a lot of time and thought. Even though the internship wasn’t until summer vacation, the closing date for all applications was in two weeks’ time.

  “I didn’t know you had an interest in photography.” For some reason, he didn’t look pleased about that fact.

  Why? What was it to him?

  “Yes. I take my camera with me most places I go.” She wrapped her hand lovingly around the camera, glancing down at it. There was something comforting about having it hanging around her neck. It felt like part of her. A part that she could rely on that wouldn’t let her down.

  “Tell me about the internship?”

  “It’s with Creative 360. They’re a top photographic agency, and they always get hundreds of applications for only three places. If I get it, I’ll have the chance to work alongside some of the best photographers in the industry. And also, one intern gets to work at their office in Sweden. It’s an awesome opportunity. And it will take my full attention. Everything else comes second.”

  Excitement fizzed in the pit of her stomach just thinking about it. She wanted it so badly. Even more reason for her to keep Nik in the friend zone and not to think about him in any other way.

  “You’re not planning to be one of those paparazzi, I hope,” Nik asked sharply.

  His words made her start. Being a paparazzi wasn’t something she’d even considered. But that aside, what prompted the ice-cold expression on his face?

  “I don’t know. I don’t think so. Why?” she asked.

  “Because they’re nothing but dirt. Feeding off other people’s lives and misfortune,” he replied heatedly.

  The tension in his body was palpable. Something had happened to him. It had to have. No one would sound so venomous unless they’d had a personal experience.

  “What have they done to you?” she asked, gently, taking a step toward him and touching his arm.

  “Nothing. Why?” He shrugged off her hand.

  She forced herself not to read anything into the way he pulled away from her touch. He was upset, that was all. It was nothing to do with her. More importantly, what was he hiding?

  “You had such a strong reaction. I don’t know much about them, but surely they’re not all bad. I read that some celebs tip the paparazzi off when they’re going to be somewhere.” She wasn’t standing up for these photographers. She knew many of them would stoop to the lowest level to get a good photo, but his reaction seemed so extreme.

  “You could be right. But that doesn’t excuse their excessive behavior.” His voice had softened, and his eyes seemed a little warmer.

  “True,” she agreed.

  This study session, or whatever it was, because they’d yet to talk grammar, didn’t seem to be going well. They’d only been together for a short while, and already she’d unintentionally managed to drive a wedge between them.

  “You didn’t have your camera with you last night,” Nik said.

  Lauren had told her not to bring it along. Not that she would have—even she knew that sometimes it wasn’t appropriate.

  “Not a lot of opportunity to take photos in the movies. Not like today,” she joked, as she lifted her camera and pointed it at him, hoping to bring some light-heartedness back into their exchange.

  “No.” He held his hand out in front of the lens, turning everything black.

  Amber released her camera, letting it drop until the strap around her neck was extended. She examined his face. The remote expression was back. She was at a loss to read the situation she found herself in. All she knew was that she hadn’t done anything wrong.

  “Why not?” she demanded, angry with herself for allowing him to rile her.

  “I have a rule about not having my photograph taken. Especially not for a portfolio, which would put me on full view to lots of people.” The corner of his mouth turned up in a sneer.

  Amber inwardly counted to ten. If he had issues then she didn’t want to make them worse. But seriously, they were just photographs.

  “I like taking photos. They’re memories. Not just for the portfolio.” Even if she had once thought he’d be ideal for her portfolio, she certainly wouldn’t use one of him now. She wouldn’t dare.

  “I’d still rather you didn’t. Thank you.” Nik’s tone was less confrontational but still resolute.

  “Sure.” Amber didn’t get it. What did he think she was going to do with a photo of him? Sign him up to an online dating site or something? Steal his soul? The thought tickled her, but she didn’t think he’d appreciate her sense of humor in this instance. “You know, I wouldn’t do anything with a photo of you,” she said softly, while willing him to lighten up a bit because otherwise the lesson would be over before it had begun.

  “I’m sure you wouldn’t. I just don’t like having my photogr
aph taken, that’s all.” He waved his hand, like he was trying to be casual, though it still seemed like he carried a mountain of tension on his broad shoulders.

  Why was he always so uptight? Her fingers itched to massage away that tension. To smooth away those worry lines from between his eyes. To…

  Friends don’t do that for each other.

  Chapter Six

  “I’ve got nothing to wear.” Amber rummaged through the pile of clothes on the shelves in her closet, throwing aside one thing after another. She seriously needed something new. The problem: she had no spare cash ever since her parents started their you need to learn the value of money thing. At least not enough for what she’d like to buy. Maybe her offer to take Nik shopping for some new clothes hadn’t been such a good idea.

  “What about your pink tank?” Lauren asked, jumping up from where she’d been sitting on the edge of the bed.

  “That’s no good. I wore it last weekend when we had our study session.”

  “Why does it matter, seeing as you’re only going out as friends?” Lauren leaned against the side of the closet, smirking.

  “Very funny. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to make an effort.” She rested her hands on her hips and stared into the closet, wishing some new clothes would magically appear.

  “Because?” Lauren asked.

  “Because nothing. Now are you going to help me, or are you just going to stand there?”

  “You know, I only have your best interests at heart.” Lauren rested her hands on Amber’s shoulders. “And if your friendship develops into something more then I’m all for that, too. You had a good time out with him the other day, didn’t you?”

  “I suppose. Even if we didn’t end up doing any studying. After we got over his camera thing, of course. Which I still don’t understand.” She continued picking up various items of clothing, dropping each one after examining it for a second or two and wondering what on earth had possessed her to buy it.

  “Are you taking your camera with you today?” Lauren asked.

  “What do you think?” Amber tossed a glance in Lauren’s direction, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.