Page 3 of Forbidden Prince
"What?" Kristin asked and blinked though she never turned away from staring atAntonio.
"...coming." Renee finished and wondered how it would be to meet this man's younger, sexier brother. If only. For this one summer, she was free and it would be nice to see someone like Marco before she settled into the suburbs and raised children for a man her parents would go golfingwith.
Kristin asked, "Your Highness, what are you doinghere?"
Why hadn't her best friend dragged her almost fiancé into her bedroom? If their roles were switched, and it was Marco at the door, Renee would have, just forfun.
Her future required settling down to please her parents, if she wanted to be included in their circle, just as surely as her brother would marry a perfectly acceptable country clubgirl.
Antonio went toward her friend. "Kristin, I hope I'm notintruding."
Right, if her friend didn't want to take him to her room, it was Renee's turn to leave. She eyed her bedroom door. "I'll give you a few minutes and head to myroom."
Renee closed the door behind her. What would the prince think of their simple apartment? The same boring cream paint was on all of the walls. She’d framed movie pictures for art but the décor was definitely teacher on a budget. Her phone dinged—the pizza was delayed, according to the app. Trying to give Kristin and the prince privacy in the small apartment, she turned her attention to Greg and sent him a text. He might not notice her, but perhaps one of his friends might be good enough to take home for the holidays or something.'Greg, saw you at your car engine. Everythingokay?'
'Yeah, I'm just changing the oil.'He texted back.'I saw you and Kristin have a guyover.'
'Kristin has the guy, else I'd not be texting you at themoment.'
'Hope he's good enough forher.'
The zap of jealousy shouldn't exist. This was why she needed to keep her distance from Greg.'I hope Kristin likes this one. She deserves to be happy. If you need anything,text.'
'Thanks.'
She’d covered plastic bins that she used as a dresser with scarves and now peered into the small mirror on top to fix her hair. Brown eyes stared back, the beginnings of fine lines at thecorners.
Renee wasn't getting any younger, as her mother would say. And that voice echoed in her mind. One day she'd find her suburban husband who fixed her car and not think about Greg or anyoneelse.
She checked on the pizza and the driver was on their small street. She went toward the door and overheard Antonio tell her friend, "I was hoping you might accompany me. I'll give you a tour, take you to my favorite restaurant to get dinner. Show you mycountry."
Without a second thought, Renee twisted the knob and opened her door. Kristin would need her friend at herside.
"Can I come?" Renee's voice echoed through the apartment. Both of them stared at her insurprise.
Kristin called over his shoulder. "Renee, I thought you were giving us someprivacy?"
Renee waved her phone in the air, reminding Kristin that they’d ordered pizza. But just in case Kristin didn’t want to divulge their plans, she gestured to the counter. "I was looking for myheadphones."
Her phone beeped, a sixty second warning to go get the pizza, which would also give Kristin more time alone. Renee walked into the foyer area and grabbed her purse. "Your Highness, my friend Kristin gets scared of good things happening in her life. Her parents taught her to always look for security first. It robs her of spontaneitysometimes."
Kristin placed her hand on her chest. "No Idon't."
Antonio stroked his chin. "Kristin, if it would make you happy, you and your friend, Renee, are welcome to join me in my privatejet."
Yes! Renee opened the front door and backed out of the apartment. "Okay. Can we get ten minutes to pack? I’ll be rightback…"
She closed the door on Antonio’s confused face and met the delivery guy at the curb. The pizza wasn't necessary anymore. She tipped anyhow and held the box in herhand.
Now what?Greg. She raced downstairs and knocked on Greg's door. He opened it without his shirt on. His slim figure would make whoever he married happy, but she had no time to gawk. She offered him the pizza. "We can't eat this and I thought you might behungry."
"Really? Let me pay you forit."
"No. I have to go. We're leaving for a few days. Can you watch our door and check themail?"
"No problem." Greg balanced the box on one palm. "Glad we're friends,Renee."
Friends.Right.
