She shrugs. “None taken. I could hardly stand it myself.”
“Listen, I know you all think you’re helping me, but you aren’t. None of you have even met Arabella, so you really have no idea what’s best for her.”
“And you do?” Emma asks. “That’s a little condescending, no?”
“Yes, I do,” I answer. “We talked about it, and we both realized there wasn’t anything for us after our time out there.”
“So, it did happen!” Rosy says.
Letting my shoulders drop, I mutter, “Fine. Yes. It happened. And now it’s over. Can we all please move on?”
“No,” they all say at the same time.
“We want you to be happy,” Rosy says. “And if that cute little princess makes you happy, you should be with her.”
“And what? Give up everything I love, only to start to resent her for it?” I say. “Or ask her to give up her life for me, so she can be the one with the bitter taste in her mouth for the rest of her days? Besides, I’m finally home for once. Isn’t that what you wanted?” I ask Rosy. “To have your Cuddle Bear here full-time?”
“Not if he’s going to pout about it,” she says, wrinkling up her nose.
“Yeah.” Harrison nods. “I’d rather have you off globe-trotting than have you sitting here whining.”
“I have a broken leg.”
“And a broken heart,” Rosy says.
“No, just my leg,” I answer. “You know what? I told myself if I made it out of there alive, I was going to be a better brother from now on. And a better uncle.” I look at Rosy. “And a better Cuddle Bear.”
That ought to work. Rosy can’t resist her Cuddle Bear. She’ll flip to my side now.
Huh, that’s weird. She’s not smiling and peppering my cheeks with kisses. Instead, she’s giving me a dirty look.
Harrison nods his head. “Yup. He’s scared.”
I start to object, but he holds up his hand. “I’m not judging you. I totally get it. It was the same with Libby and me. One of us had to give up their life for the other. It’s a tough call.”
“Good thing she made it,” Rosy says.
“Well, not really.” He shakes his head. “If she hadn’t wanted to move here, I would have dropped everything and left. And as much as I would have missed everyone, I wouldn’t have regretted it for a second. Sorry guys, but that’s the truth.”
I scoff. “You would have hated living in Valcourt.”
“No, I would’ve been happy because I’d still be with her. So your situation is complicated. Big deal. Every relationship comes with some sort of puzzle to solve. But together, you find a way to make it work, because that’s what love is.”
Rosy sniffs. “He’s right, Cuddle Bear. Take Darnell and me. He loves to fish, and I love to stare at hot younger men, but we found a way so we can both get what we need.” She means her husband goes fishing every day while she’s at work gawking at the Fed Ex guy when he comes by.
“Yeah, I’m glad that works for you and Darnell, but our situation is not at all the same as yours,” I say. “I have nothing to offer her. I’m not rich, I don’t even have my own house, let alone a castle. She’s a princess, for God’s sake. And I’m … nothing now.”
“That’s ridiculous. You’re handsome and smart and sweet,” Rosy says, swatting me on my knee. “Plus, you’re a big TV star.”
“My career is over. I had to be carried out of the jungle. By a princess. Not exactly the right kind of image for a guy who spends his life teaching people how to survive in the wild. The humiliation can be felt around the world, and the show hasn’t even aired yet. That’s just from a thirty-second news clip.”
“Well, that’s that then,” Emma says, getting up. “We tried.”
Rosy stands as well. “Yup. He’s determined to spend the rest of his life feeling sorry for himself.”
Harrison stands and picks Clara up under her armpits and settles her on his hip. “Sad, really. You had so much potential. And you were this close to having it all,” he says, holding his forefinger and thumb an inch away from each other. “If you only knew how to play this, you could end up boosting your career and getting the girl.”
I sigh and fold my arms across my chest. “Thanks, but I don’t need advice from people who know nothing about television.”
“That’s too bad, because I was going to say you should lean into it,” Harrison says, adjusting Clara’s hat. “Go public and tell the world how amazing she is, and that you’re not ashamed that you needed her to rescue you.”
Emma shakes her head. “That would never work. He’d have to set aside his giant man ego to do that.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Rosy adds. “It’s hopeless.”
“Okay. Got it, thanks,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I’m a big conceited coward who knows nothing about anything and needs the three of you geniuses to gang up on me and tell me how to live.”
“Screw it!” Clara yells suddenly, then claps her hands.
“Exactly, Clara,” I say, smiling at her. “Exactly.”
Harrison steps out of the pool. “Nap time for baby.”
“Have a good nap, Clara,” I say.
“Oh, I meant you,” he answers, before he walks away.
“I’ll come along,” Emma says, getting up. “I need to talk to Libby.”
The three of them disappear around the side of the building, leaving me alone with Rosy.
She stands and pats me on the cheek a lot harder than necessary. “Everybody makes mistakes, Will. It’s what you do to bounce back from them that shows who you really are.”
33
Hiding Your Inner Warrior Princess
Arabella
“Did you call him yet?” Tessa asks, as we lay by the indoor pool watching Xavier, the buff manny, play with the twins in the water. Normally this whole scene would make my heart beat a little faster, but today, nothing. I’m dead inside, as I have been since I stepped on that plane a month ago. I haven’t tried to reach out to Will, which is a good thing, since he hasn’t contacted me either, and I really don’t need the humiliation of being told twice that he doesn’t see a future between us.
Rolling my eyes, I say, “For the last time, I’m not going to call him. We have nothing in common.”
“You mean nothing other than wild bonobo sex and being totally in love with each other?”
“I never should have told you anything.”
“Why not?”
“Because you won’t let it go,” I say, picking up my glass of lemonade and having a sip. “He’s the one who said it wasn’t going to work. And since then, he’s done nothing to reach out to me. If anything were to happen, it would be his move.”
“Oh, my God. What is this? 1820?” Tessa asks, taking a bite of a celery stick. She’s been on a diet for over a year now, and it’s starting to get to her. “Maybe if you wait until the next leap year, you can propose to him then? It’s only another four years.”
My mobile buzzes and I see Mrs. Chapman’s name come up on the screen. “Hello?”
“You have exactly forty-two minutes until your hair appointment.”
“Yes, thank you, I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, I do,” I snap, then hang up and stand. “I have to go.”
“Up-do for the shindig?”
“Yes.”
“Listen, Arabella, I love you like you were my own flesh and blood, and that means I have to nag you until you do what’s right for you,” Tessa says. “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s the Sharpe family way.”
Sighing, I say, “Yes, I’ve gotten to know your mum quite well. But it’s the Langdon family way to get pissy about anyone sticking their nose in our business.”
I walk over to the edge of the pool and reach my hand out. Flora reaches up and I touch her chubby little fingers. “Auntie loves you.”
“Wuv you too,” she says.
I blow James a kiss, since I can’t reach him without
falling into the water. “I love you, James.”
He gives me a big nod and blows me a kiss back. My heart squeezes. Oh, I want one. Or two.
When I stand and turn, Tessa’s giving me a meaningful look. “You want one, don’t you?”
“No,” I say, feeling my cheeks heat up. “Well, someday, maybe, yes. But not with a man who doesn’t also want one with me.”
Tessa shakes her head. “So disappointing, really.”
Balling up my fists, I rest them on my hips. “What is?”
“You had this one burst of incredible power and courage, and now …” she shrugs. “Meh.”
I sigh and let my head roll back like an irritated teenager. “Could you please refrain from busting my ovaries? I’m really not in the mood.”
“Sure, sure,” she says, nodding. “It’s fine. You go back to being as unremarkable as Gran said you were. You’re already letting Mrs. Chapman boss you around again. It’s fine, really. If being a doormat makes you comfortable, you just go back to that.”
“I’m lying low for a while until this scandal dies down!” I hiss. “It’s the least I can do after all the trouble I caused the family.”
“That story is long dead. Like your moment of being fierce.”
“What do you want me to do? Rush to Santa Valentina, sweep him off his feet, and twirl him in the air?”
“How about just go to him and start with ‘hello’ and see where it goes from there?”
“No, because I’m not pathetic.”
“Pathetic is not taking any risks and spending your entire life pining for a man you could be with.”
“I can’t even …” I say, shaking my head. “I have to go.”
“Yes, go. Be a very good girl,” she says, taking another bite of celery.
“Please do everyone a favour and eat a donut or something,” I say. “We can only really use one snarly woman dishing out advice around here.”
“Oh, no, don’t do that, Your Highness,” Xavier tells her. “You’ve worked so hard and even a single donut would be a huge setback.”
I walk toward the door as guilt clouds move in over me. I turn back and say, “Tessa, I still love you.”
She turns and smiles at me. “I love you, too. Sorry I’m being such a snaggle-toothed witch.”
“It’s fine. I am too.”
“You know what you need?” she asks, then she whisper-yells. “To get—”
“Not the answer to all life’s problems,” I say, holding up one hand.
“But it helps.”
* * *
I stalk through the palace toward the back entrance where my car will be waiting. Bellford walks along behind me, saying nothing, which is his normal state. But before I escaped and made him look like the world’s worst security officer, his silence was comforting. Now, it’s got an edge to it that makes me feel very guilty. I apologized to him when I first got back, but all he said was, “You don’t need to explain yourself to me, Your Highness. I work for you, and not the other way around.”
When I tried to press the issue, his tone became unusually sharp, and he told me “What’s done is done. Anything more on the subject is unnecessary.”
I stop when I reach the door and take a deep breath. That’s it. This is my life. I’m going to live it, by God. Spinning on my foot, I say, “Quick detour.”
I hurry to my office, finding Mrs. Chapman at her desk, poring over my schedule. She looks up. “You’re going to be late for your appointment.”
“I’m sure they’ll fit me in,” I say. “I have a job for you.”
Picking up a pen and paper, I write down, Waltzing Matilda, Santa Valentina Islands. “I need you to track down the owner of this yacht and get me his phone number.”
She opens her mouth, but I speak over her. “It’s top priority. Do nothing else until this is completed.”
With that, I walk away with a little smile. Go, Furiosa.
A few minutes later, I settle myself into the back of the limo and pull my phone out of my handbag. I send Tessa a text: Taking your advice. I’ve decided to live in the twenty-first century, after all.
34
The Unmistakable Flavour of Humble Pie
Will - Three Weeks Later
“Two minutes to air. Will, are you ready?” Veronica Platt’s smiling face fills my laptop screen.
My heart pounds in my chest. “Yes, all set.”
“You sure you want to do this?” she asks. “I mean, it’s great television, but after what happened …” She winces and sucks in some air.
“I’m sure.” That’s a lie. I’m not in any way sure.
“Okay, I’ll be back with you in a bit.” She mutes her microphone, leaving me to sit and bounce my left leg nervously. My phone buzzes and I pick it up to silence it, my heart rising, then falling, as it does when it’s not Arabella’s name that appears. It’s a text from Stew Milner: One of my employees was cleaning Matilda for her new owner, and he found a box of your uncle’s stuff in a cupboard. You have exactly one hour to pick it up or it gets tossed.
Muttering under my breath that he’s a total wanker, I quickly write him back: Please don’t throw anything out. I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Oh, wonderful. That is just the perfect time to rub salt in the wound—when I’m about to go on international television, admit I’m a total failure, and hopefully find a way to let Arabella know I’m in love with her without letting anyone else in on that little secret. My stomach flips for the millionth time since I set this interview up. The only thing that’s going to get me through it is the remote possibility that she might feel the same way.
Okay, Will. Focus. I stare into the screen and watch Veronica talk to someone off camera. She’s smiling and looking very relaxed. Yes, I like Veronica. This will go well.
I hope.
The sound comes back on and she says, “Welcome to ABN’s Entertainment News. I’m Veronica Platt. Joining me live from his home in Paradise Bay is the star of “The Wild World,” Will Banks, who is recovering from a traumatic on-set accident. Will, how are you doing after your near-death experience?”
“Getting stronger every day, thanks. I got my cast off two days ago, so I’m rebuilding my right leg. I should be back to full strength very soon.” I offer her a confident smile, even though inside, I feel like a complete loser.
“Excellent. Good to hear. What exactly were your injuries?”
“A severe break to my ankle that required surgery, and a concussion,” I say. “Also, several contusions to the back of my head that needed about a hundred stitches.”
“Oh, my, that is something,” Veronica says. “Now, this season of “The Wild World” doesn’t air for another few weeks, so we’ve been asked not to reveal any spoilers, but can you tell us how the accident happened?”
“No, unfortunately, I can’t get into details. What I can tell you is that it was entirely my fault. My co-host had nothing to do with it.”
Veronica’s face falls a little. “But people have been speculating that she was most likely the one to get you into trouble.”
“Yeah, well, that’s the thing about speculating. It’s a pretty useless pastime. Everything that happened out there was my responsibility. I was the expert, and I slipped up in a very big way. She’s the one who showed incredible strength and courage to get me out of there alive.” See? The truth is easy.
“Really?” Veronica asks, her face wrinkling up.
“Really.” I give a firm nod. “You know, people underestimate Princess Arabella because of who they think she is. But in all honesty, she’s every bit as tough as any man out there.”
The clip of her pulling me over the hill starts up, and I watch as she yells for an ambulance, then shoves Dylan to the ground.
“There is some speculation that she never would have had the physical stamina to pull that off. People are saying someone else likely helped but stayed back so she could take the credit.”
“That’s absolutely not true. There was
no one else out there with us.”
“Was she taking any sort of drug that would give her superhuman strength?” she asks, giving me a serious look.
Shaking my head, I say, “Definitely not. That was one hundred percent her. All of it. She made the stretcher herself, she rescued me, and she brought me to safety.”
“Are you at all concerned that people will no longer trust your abilities to survive in the wild, and that, perhaps, this may end your career?”
“I sure hope not, but I can see why someone might think that. After all, I wouldn’t have survived out there on my own.”
“Will, a lot of people have been commenting on the irony of you needing a princess to save you, when you’re supposed to be the hero.”
I’ve never liked Veronica very much. “Well, to them I say this: when you do the kinds of things I do on the show, you know that at some point, something will go wrong. It’s not an if, it’s a when. In this case, I was incredibly fortunate to be with the right person when things went sour.”
“The right person. That almost makes it sound like something’s going on between you two,” Veronica says with a little grin. “Care to comment on that?”
Might as well go all in, right?
No, do not say it.
“Will? Any comment as to whether you and Princess Arabella are, perhaps, an item these days?”
“Only to say this,” I pause, praying my words come out as intended. “Any man would be beyond lucky to be loved by someone with Arabella’s compassion and lovely spirit. She’s kind and graceful and brave and beautiful. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and if I’m able to spend more time with her in the future, I’ll consider myself to be the luckiest man on the planet.”
“That sounds like a yes to me,” Veronica answers, clearly trying to draw me in.
“She can do a lot better than me.”
Veronica’s head snaps back. “Could she?”
Royally Crushed: A Crazy Royal Love, Book 1 Page 22
