Page 46 of Royal Fling
“Double bed? What kind of double are you talking about?”
“I have someone who looks like me under my employ. And whenever I need relative anonymity to go about London, he attends the more public events to occupy the paparazzi and the press.”
“Oh,” I said.
I definitely did not expect that kind of an answer.
But I guess, in a way, it made sense. Why wouldn't a millionaire—billionaire, trillionaire? I didn’t even know what he was—hire someone to be him?
“Are you okay, Lucas? Did that freak you out?”
I shook my head and looked back at him. I hadn't even realized that my gaze had drifted behind him to the emerging view of London.
“I'm okay,” I said. “I really am. I guess it just takes some getting used to.”
“What does?” he asked.
“Dating you,” I replied, and I realized how true that statement was.
A fling didn't take you out for dinner. A fling didn’t book the London Eye for you, and a fling certainly didn't employ a body double to keep nosy people at bay.
This was dating.
This was definitely dating, and I didn't know how I felt about that because I already felt addicted to August when I thought we were just having a fling.
What kind of emotional Pandora’s box was I opening for myself by dating him?
“Are you hungry?”
I raised my head and nodded. August lifted the two domes to reveal two large burgers and a handful of French fries scattered around it.
“Okay, I did not see that coming,” I said.
August set the covers on the ground behind him.
“I hope you don't mind.”
“Mind? Of course not. But I didn't peg a prince for a burger eater,” I said.
“Princes eat burgers,” he defended himself, and I laughed. “Okay, maybe we don’t as often as we’d like… I didn't know what to order. And then I asked Fisayo, and she suggested burgers.”
“You told Fisayo about us?” I asked.
I had no idea if there was panic in my eyes, but the way August reacted, flinching and turning pink, I must have looked really upset.
“No, of course not. I just told her that I met someone, and I wanted to take them out for dinner. Then she asked me what you were like. I lied a little bit. And here we are.”
“Does she know you're gay? Wait, are you gay or are you bi?”
“Oh, I'm definitely gay,” he said. “And yes, Fisayo knows. She's kept my secret for years.”
“Do your parents know?”
“I don't think so. I never had a very close relationship with them. It was more of a... formal affair. I mean I still call them Mama and Baba, but I guess that’s out of habit? Nonny feels more like a mother to me than my own. I hope that doesn't offend you.”
“Why would it offend me?” I asked.
“Because she's your mother.”
