Page 11 of Coffee Break with the Billionaire

In the museum, there’s an entire video series about the Second World War, how Leif Erickson prevented the German invasion of Canada, and how grateful the country was for his assistance, that they gave him whatever he wanted, which was his own country.

I thought I was entitled, but even I’ve never asked for a country before.

Laandia was carved from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and presented to the family to rule as they liked. King Magnus is the third king and they’ve done a pretty good job of it.

Learning about the other kings was interesting, but I’ve never been much for history.

It was better when Ashton was here; at least I wasn’t playing third wheel to a deliriously happy Gunnar and Stella. But Ashton left early this morning; Gunnar is flying him to NewYork and then staying the night with Stella.

I would have liked to go with them but I need to Stay. Out. Of. Sight.

Father’s orders.

So now I’m here on my own. Alone.

I’m not used to being alone.

One of the castle security details gives me a ride into Battle Harbour because I’ve decided I need to get out of the castle. During the drive down the hill (really a cliff with a windy road that wouldn’t be out of place heading into the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain) into the town (more like a village) I text the group chat instead of looking out the window at the colourful autumn leaves.

Me : Day 3 of hiding out.

I send a picture of the view of the harbour outside my bedroom window that I took yesterday.

Coral: Looks dull

Me: It’s… quiet

Milo: You’re bored. Should we come liven things up?

Me: I don’t think the town has recovered from the last time you were here

Rupert: That was a good party

Milo: Didn’t Lav end up proposing to a fisherman?

Lavina: Sweet man, but really couldn’t handle this.

She sends a picture, one that should never get online—Lavinia wearing a pair of baggy sweats, long blonde hair fixed into two wobbling space buns with one of the facial masks that look like a piece of ham on her face.

Rupert: not many can

Me: love you all. Off to shop

Milo: Where??????

Maybe I will go shopping, but we hit all four clothing shops the day before yesterday, which leaves the bookstore, the bakery and a return visit to the candy store.

I could do with a visit to the candy store.

I get out of the car in the centre of town. There’s a cool wind blowing in off the harbour but the afternoon sun is warm and bright. It really is a pretty place.

But boring.

Maybe boring isn’t the right word. Quiet. Uneventful. What’s another word for “there is nothing to do”?

There are five bars; I know this because the second time I visited, Gunnar and I did a bar hop and visited all of them. That was before Gunnar was Gunnar-and-Stella so there was still the undercurrent of flirtation, even though we had been broken up for years.

Not that there was any chance of us getting back together. Once you break up, that’s it for me, sexy prince or no sexy prince.

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