Page 70 of Roaming Holiday

I grab one of the many pillows on my bed and throw it at him. “GET OUT!” I grab another and throw it. And another. And another. My eyes and face burn with tears. “GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT!”

34

NINA

After Maia and I spend the evening eating ice cream and bonding over our agitation with Dad, we team up with Vanessa for a few days to gather data for our meeting with the Court.

My cousin insists that Helen from human resources will back my idea instantly and that her department is loyal to her. On the understanding that rich people don’t like their money being shrunk, we prepare statistics to emphasize the danger and legitimacy of Lo Revínastí and the probability of what the future of the institution looks like.

I haven’t spoken to Dad since our fight, and I don’t plan to. Not to mention that he thinks my childhood trauma is based on a misunderstanding. I hoped that argument was our moment of truth. With all emotions on the table, we’d have a chance to heal. But I’ve never felt so distant from him.

And because I’m living in the palace until determining the next step, Wesley is largely off-duty. I’m glad he has this time to himself, but it’s been days since I saw him and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss him. He might not be the life of the party, but he’s my favorite part of each day.

One afternoon, Vanessa strides into my much-too-big bedroom with news. “My mom said the Higher Court wants to have the meeting in Corsos to be safe.”

“Where is that?” Maia asks.

“A city at the very bottom of the country. About an hour and a half by plane.”

Dread prickles my stomach. “How long driving?”

“Oh, uh… six hours, maybe.”

I look at my sister. “Are you up for a road trip?”

“Hell no.”

“What?” I squawk.

Maia reclines across my bed, propping on a single elbow. “That three-hour ride back from Antina knocked me out, so I will be flying and you can have a six-hour drive alone with the bodyguard you’re pretending you don’t want to take to pound town.”

While Maia tends to be unrefined, she has a good point. She also gave me the idea to request a classic convertible for the road trip, which was granted, and now I’m sitting in the passenger seat as an unbelievably sexy man drives us through the winding roads of the countryside. Bless my sister and her ingenious mind.

Everything that happened in Antina was petty drama. It’s not too awkward between Wesley and me, but there’s a lingering curiosity each time we look at each other. Maybe that’s in my head.

I watch as he focuses on the road, windows down and wind ruffling his hair, his stubble outlining his strong jaw.

I could look at him forever.

The words flash across my mind before I can truly register it. Not long ago, I told myself our future is blank—and now it’s not. I could look at him forever. Fear spikes my heart at this sudden realization, but it soon turns into warmth.

“What?” he says, amused.

Shit. I was staring a bit. And I feel myself smiling.

The level of trust I have with him surpasses anyone in my life. I over-explain each thought for fear of being misunderstood. With him, I’m calm. The itch to elaborate on each thought is gone. I can sit with him in complete peace, knowing that I’m seen and understood. Even if he won’t kiss me.

“Nothing,” I quip.

Maybe he feels something for me, too, and is too afraid to act on it. Does it matter? The Higher Court might not take me seriously if they found out. Wesley could lose his job.

Maia has the paperwork for the meeting tomorrow and I regret giving it to her. We’re nearly two hours into the trip and I could use this time to review the material. But I take a deep breath and watch the mountains slowly pass by, lighting up when I spot goats or horses. I almost ask Wesley to put the top down until I remember the amount of time I spent styling my hair. Despite my efforts to relax, I keep circling back to the knowledge that we’re driving toward a life-changing meeting.

I turn to Wesley. “Do you think the Court will hate my plan?”

“What plan?”

“I didn’t tell you?” I ask, sitting up straighter. With a sigh, I dive into all the details from memory. Saying it aloud helps me become more confident, and I genuinely want his input.

---