Page 63 of Prince Charmless
“You gave me specific topics to avoid with your father, and I kind of had him mention all three in the span of five seconds. And you seem a little worked up.”
The reason I told her not to mention them is that my father tends to steamroll the conversation when he gets passionate about something. Melina seemed to hold her own just fine. The rule was to protect her, not scold her. Maybe I should start being more opaque with my intentions. Whatever they are.
“I’ll never be mad at you, Melina.”
She pouts her lips. “Weren’t you mad at me when you came over to my apartment the last time? When you thought I let Thomas convince me to work for you.”
“Up until you opened the door. My plan that night was to give you your keys and leave, but I ended up bringing you to my house and making you dinner. I try to avoid the people I’m mad at. Have I ever avoided you?”
She doesn’t answer me. She just stares. I have no idea what she’s thinking. I never do.
20
Melina
So my keywasin his back pocket that whole night. I must’ve really freaked him out when I guessed that.
I hobble after Taylor toward the blocked doors. He moves one of the stanchions away effortlessly with one hand. I worked at a movie theater as a teenager. I know how heavy those things are.
“Are we supposed to be doing this?”
“IcandowhateverIwant,” he slurs.
He might be intoxicated.
I might be, too.
Hopefully, I didn’t make a fool of myself in front of Prince David. Never in my life could I have predicted I’d be talking with him. I couldn’t have predicted his son making me dinner three times either. For some reason, the Crown Prince wanted toformallyintroduce himself to me. Much like Taylor, he’s less scary once you get to know him. He reminds me a lot of Taylor, actually, a more intimidating yet somehow more affable version of Taylor.
I scan the greenhouse to see if anyone is watching us, but we’re concealed by the plants. Taylor seems too drunk and too The-Prince-of-St-Claire to care if we’re caught.
We exit the forbidden doorway and find the outside garden completely lit up. Meticulously sculpted bushes and flower beds form mazes that lead to gazebos and willow trees. The glowing fountain in the center of it all displays a stone muse pouring a jug of water into the pool below.
“It’s beautiful at night,” I say, scanning the space.
The side of the greenhouse has some stone stairs that lead up to what I think is a balcony.
“There might be a better view from there.”
Taylor follows me as I climb the steps. Itisa balcony. When we reach the top, I lean out over the railing to admire the tiered landscaping and pebbled paths. Why haven’t I visited this place more?
A gust of cold wind blows against my bare shoulders. I cross my arms to combat the goosebumps. “It’s freezing.”
“Should’ve brought a scarf,” Taylor says. “I’m quite warm, actually. I think it’s this jacket.”
He catches me eyeing said jacket.
“Oh no no, Melina. I’m not giving this to you like some cheesy movie just because you came ill-prepared for the weather. And you shivering like a little puppy caught in an ice storm isn’t going to work on me.” By the time he finishes yammering, he’s already shrugged the jacket off. He hangs it around my shoulders, then pulls the lapels tight. What a gentleman.
“Thank you.”
I thought he would release, but Taylor lingers against my back, lightly pressing me into the guardrail. His arms drape around my body, and his chin rests against my head. He’s so warm. And his jacket smells nice, like fresh laundry.
Stop smelling his jacket and being a total creep, Melina.
He shouldn’t do things like this to me. It’ll only make me crave his touch more.
I look up to see his gaze hasn’t left the gardens. “I don’t remember it looking like this the last time,” I say. “But I guess I haven’t been here in forever.”
