Page 30 of A Girl and HER Prince
Livvy froze.We?
“Did you see how desperate he was to make me jealous?” Deedee asked.
Really? No! Livvy was pretty sure that Venice was doing whatever he could to get Deedee off his back, and yes, thatwasflirting with her good friend. He didn’t care who he hurt.
Livvy wasn’t about to fall for any of this. Her hand landed on the zipper of her suitcase. “When we dock in Athens tomorrow, we’re going.”
Deedee’s full lips pushed out in refusal.
Livvy grabbed at her arm. She’d make her obsessive, self-deluded friend see reason. “C’mon, there’s an August Moon Festival tomorrow. It’ll be magical. Think of it—dancing under the silhouette of the Pantheon, celebrating the mystical full moon; everything’s free! How great will that be?”
Deedee’s eyes began to shine at the thought. “Yeah,” she whispered. “Let’s do it.”
Finally! Livvy sagged in relief. They were getting off this ship and enjoying this vacation like she meant to do all along!
And it didn’t matter if a royal pair of Tyndarian eyes kept interfering with her interest in the festival… or that he couldn’t cry or that the tragic gleam she’d always sensed in those golden irises reallydidspark from something awful.
That was only a sign to get out before she was licking her wounds like Deedee.
Chapter Eleven
Tuesday, August 21st, Full Moon Festival
Now this was the Greece Livvy had hoped to see!
The charming cobbled labyrinth of Plaka’s narrow streets rang with music and the noise of busy markets and restaurants. Even after catching breakfast in one of the many quaint cafés, Livvy could still appreciate the spicy scents of garlic and oregano emanating from within the historical neoclassical-style buildings; the heady aroma was both disguised and enhanced by the heavy cigarette smoke mingled with salty sea air brought in by a wind that felt refreshing on such a sunny morning.
She elbowed Deedee. “Aren’t you happy that we abandoned ship?”
“Sure, sure…” She’d lowered her sunglasses and was busy checking out a handsome local. They were in the area known as the Neighborhood of the Gods, and not just because they were on the slope that led to Athena’s temple. The streets of Plaka felt almost magical in their ancient appeal and Greek culture.
Livvy and Deedee had managed to book a room in one of their exclusive hotels, using Deedee’s influencer connections. They pushed into the near-silent lobby. Most of the guests were already outside enjoying this beautiful day.
A miracle had happened as far as Livvy was concerned. The second they’d docked in the Piraeus port of Athens, they’d hauled out their luggage with forced smiles and cheery farewells to their reluctant hosts.
Venice and Achilles waved back with a show of fake pleasantness that still haunted Livvy’s memories as they checked into their stylish hotel. And still, what did Livvy care if Venice, along with his nasty sister, Bris, were congratulating themselves on a job well done for chasing off their unwanted guests? She was excited to finally get away from the boat and that drama and her confusing feelings.
And if she happened to torture herself with thoughts of Venice’s warm skin against hers while he showed off his flawless skyhook shot, she could only congratulate herself on making her escape while she still had some sense left.
They’d barely had their keys in hand before Deedee was taking the opportunity to gossip all about their adventures on the boat to her online TalkieTalk audience: “Oh, you should’ve seen Venice’s face when I walked in with Achilles! Right, Livvy? You were there.”
She pointed the camera phone at Livvy, just in time to catch her breathlessly stacking their luggage into a cart in the lobby.
Livvy waved at the phone, never knowing where to look or what small talk to make. “Yup, I saw his face.” That was all she was qualified to say, never having spent time with a handsome prince before, one who was used to being charming… and breaking hearts on the daily.
A pang of disappointment ran through her. She was mostly angry at herself that she’d let him use her. The last thing she wanted was to talk about it, and so she changed the subject: “Isn’t this place perfect? No more beds on the water.”
Deedee rolled her eyes and ended the feed. Her friend hurried them through their creaking room overlooking the colorful neighborhood, and hustled her outside onto the cobbled streets to drown their sorrows by spending all their money at the Monastraki flea market.
It was the perfect way to while away the afternoon, and the hours stretched into an idyllic evening as Livvy lifted a tiny silver Pantheon trinket from a market table. Deedee made a happy sound behind her. “You’ve found more charms for your bracelet!”
It was absolutely adorable, and doing her best to avoid non-buyer’s remorse like she’d done all day to forget parting Venice’s company, Livvy purchased the perfect souvenir on the spot. So why didn’t the exquisite miniature not soothe that despondent ache she’d felt every step she took from Venice’s yacht?
And this was making no sense. It was just one basketball game; one fancy dinner; one almost kiss.
She gulped. And now she’d found something to show for her first adventure!
Her father would’ve been so proud of her. She slid the Pantheon miniature onto her bracelet to keep the dolphin company, and felt another pang when she remembered Venice flicking the charm with his thumb.
