Page 40 of A Girl and HER Prince
“Venice? Livvy?” Deedee’s familiar voice echoed through the night air. She was coming up the way. He groaned. Time was running out. Fighting his animalistic urge to throw Livvy over his shoulder in a run, Venice took a deep breath and steadied himself. He could see Deedee through the branches in the trees. Achilles was behind her, caught by his finger as Deedee dragged him up the stairs with her under the glowing lights. “I know they came this way.” She broke through the trees. “There you are!”
Somehow Livvy was standing farther away from Venice. His little angel with the crooked halo was going to pretend like nothing had happened between them again, but she shouldn’t bother with this sophisticated lot. Her blushes would be just as obvious to their friends as they were to him.
Not to say that they didn’t make her all the more adorable.
And why couldn’t they be granted even a few more minutes to talk? Venice had no idea what was going through his own mind, but he sure wanted to know what was happening in hers.
He didn’t even have her number to find out!
Deedee was all smiles. She waved her bare fingers in front of him. “You notice something missing?”
No. What is she hinting at now?
“You’ll have to watch my next video to figure it out,” she announced airily.
Venice met Livvy’s warning look… he’d already made a pact to leave those alone; perhaps that was one he could stick to?
“How about we watch the videoafterour dive tomorrow,” Achilles said with a smirk. There was a secret behind that look and Venice was positive the duke meant to keep him in suspense, although he was pretty sure it had something to do with Achilles kissing Deedee more senseless than she already was in these palatial ruins under the moonlight.
Did it matter? Venice had his own secrets to keep, and he’d have more soon if Livvy let him.
Chapter Thirteen
Deedee had dragged her away so fast that Livvy had no time to even grasp that she’d kissed Venice in the darkness behind them. How could she confess such a breach of trust to her friend?
She writhed in guilt.I have to tell her!
“Deedee!”
“Yes, yes, you don’t want to see Venice again after he kissed you,” Deedee said dismissively.
Livvy almost tripped over her sandals in her shock. She knew what had happened!
“I’m not stupid!” Deedee continued. “Venice can’t be left alone in a dark garden without kissingsomeone.”
The thought stung, and yet, no, it wasn’t true! Venice had been so sincere, so sweet even. What they’d experienced tonight was truly special, even if Livvy had surrendered her better sense in the end and forgot their deal to be friends. “I don’t think he was playing me.”
“Define, play,” Deedee said with a hard laugh. Her phone was already out. Flipping past her TalkieTalk feed, she pulled up her MeeMe account and found Venice’s profile. “Meet Camila, Mia, Rose, Katie.” She brutally scrolled through the feed, revealing one beautiful woman after another, standing next to Venice, pawing at Venice, kissing Venice. Her heart sank when she saw how none of this “playing” was one-sided. “And those are the ones he dated after me,” Deedee said. “He’s a collector, but hey, you should be flattered. He only goes for the best—I should know!”
What happened to her sense? Livvy didnotwant to be a part of Venice’s lineup of eager women screaming for their chance with a prince.
Deedee shut off her phone and pushed it into her purse with finality. “I know exactly what he’s up to! It’s all part of the game he’s playing.”
Livvy felt like an idiot, and the shock that filled her at seeing Venice with those other women sparked to anger. Deedee knew all this! “Why did you accept their invitation to go scuba diving tomorrow?”
“I’ve got him right where I want him.”
Did she? Livvy’s feelings were all over the place as they left the magic of the ruins behind them to find the equally dilapidated Greek streets that no longer held any charm for her. The crowd elbowed past her as she charged after Deedee. The cafés were as busy at night as they’d been in the middle of the day, and they were turning into a blur. Her regrets were beginning to weigh down her stomach like a rock.
How could she have fallen for his nice guy act? Her brothers would be shaking their heads at her stupidity if they found out. Livvy knew exactly who Venice was before she went with him into the darkness. Just because he’d fallen off the platform and they had a good laugh about it didn’t mean he’d experienced a sudden personality change.
She felt sick. “I don’t think I can do this,” she whispered.
“Get over it!” Deedee said. “It’s just a kiss. Honestly, if I knew what a wet rag you’d be, I’d never have invited you.”
Livvy gasped in indignation, which quickly turned into regret. She knew exactly why Deedee was lashing out at her; after all, how would Livvy feel if Deedee had done the same to her? Livvy had broken her friend’s heart all over again. “Youareangry!” And Deedee had every right to be. Livvy didn’t know how to make this better. “I’m sorry.”
“No.” Deedee’s face was tight, but she’d never admit her feelings had been hurt… unless she was on camera, of course. “I’m happy you’re finally showing me your true colors. You’re not the innocent you’ve always pretended to be. No! This is great! You’re just aslowas I am.”
