Page 29 of The Wanted Prince

“Wait, is this about Elena?”

And there it was. My throat went tight. I tried to swallow and couldn’t, and coughed instead. Francisco laughed, and glanced over at Laura.

“You think I’m still mad? Mad enough I’d, what, frame you?” He rolled his eyes at Laura. “He hasn’t changed, has he?”

I scowled. “Leave her out of it.”

“Out of it, out of what? You still haven’t told me. All you’ve done is square up to me like you want a fight, fling accusations, beat your chest like an ape. If you want to talk, fine. We can sit down and talk. But if you think I’ve done something, I’m holding some grudge…” He laughed, shook his head, and smirked at Laura. “You’re not eloping, are you?”

Laura just looked at him, her expression blank. Francisco grinned.

“Get this,” he said. “I had this girlfriend, met her in college. A real bombshell type, and boy, did she know it. Your prince took one look at her and fell stupid in love, and the second we broke up, and I mean the second, he was in bed with her. The very same night.”

I felt my insides wither and shrivel away, the last of my dignity, my self-respect. None of it was a lie, what Francisco was saying. I’d fallen for his girl, and I’d tried to hide it. I’d bent over backward to be friends with them both. But they’d had this huge fight and she’d come to me crying, and somehow we’d ended up naked in bed. Somehow — she’d kissed me and I’d kissed her back. I hadn’t resisted, or even thought twice. But I’d known the whole time it wasn’t right.

“I’m sorry,” I said, but Francisco didn’t seem to hear me.

“She got caught the next morning on her walk of shame. Made the front page of StarBlast, and that was that. She’s this huge model now. Rode us to the top.”

I studied my own shoes, brand new black loafers. One tassel had come loose and was hanging askew.

“Hey, it was funny.” Francisco chuckled. “I mean, okay, I was pissed at the time. But I was never in love with her. Not like with Lisa.”

I blinked. “Who’s Lisa?”

“Lisa? My wife?” He jogged my arm. I looked up to see his phone in my face, a blond-haired beauty on the lock screen. She had a baby in her arms and a toddler on her knee, both tots beaming up at her with pure adoration. “My family,” said Francisco. “The loves of my life.”

“Congratulations,” I managed, my face going hot. I’d had no idea. I hadn’t kept up. Hadn’t thought he’d want to hear from me after Elena.

“I’m on kid duty most nights when I’m not working. Saturdays are family days, and most Sundays too. You think I have time to mess with you, wait till you’re married. Wait till you’ve got one kid in diapers, another one trying to put everything in her mouth. My hands are too full for some crusty old grudge.”

I felt vaguely seasick, though the boat wasn’t moving. I’d hated myself for what I did to Francisco, and the public way he had to find out. All this time, I’d assumed he hated me too. Now, he was acting like it was all a big nothing.

“You think too much,” he said. “That’s always been your problem. You could’ve just talked to me when the dust settled, and you’d have known I’m fine. I’ve moved on.”

“I didn’t think you’d want to hear from me.”

“Yeah, well, I would have. We were pretty good friends, until Elena. You should drop by some time and meet my whole family.” He glanced up the deck, where Marco was setting a table. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to eat. I’d invite you to join me, but I didn’t bring extras.”

“Right,” I said. “Sorry.”

“Because you just barged in.”

I turned to go. “Got it. Next time, I’ll call.”

“Good luck finding out who really did frame you.”

I couldn’t tell from his tone if he was sincere or mocking, but when I turned to look, his smile was warm.

“Really, good luck,” he said. “Tell Dom I said hi.”

Laura took my arm heading back up the dock, but I couldn’t look at her. Didn’t dare meet her eye. How could I explain to her I’d changed, I’d grown? Everyone said that when they messed up: I was different back them. That’s not who I am. Then they turned around and did the same thing again. Not that I would. I’d outgrown that phase. But how could I show her?—

“Put on your hat.”

“What?”

Laura’s nails dug into my arm. “Put on your hat now.”

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