Page 3 of Rowdy Prince
“Why did I never google him? I could have saved myself from looking foolish a thousand times over.”
“Maybe because you didn’t really want to know. Wouldn’t it have felt weird to spend your summers with some guy who’s a legit prince? This way, it was just a bit of fun between you all and he got to feel like a regular person.”
“Wait.” I narrow my eyes as I watch her sipping her coffee, calm as can be. “Did you know?”
“That Luis is a real prince?”
“Yeah.”
“Of course I did. I’m married to Mitch. He told me all about him months ago.”
“And you didn’t think to tell mebeforeI wrote to the guy and insinuated he waspoor.” Not to mention insulting him via email.
She giggles. “I gave you the envelop from his RSVP letter. The stamp and the postmark are from Reinqueno. His face wasonthat stamp.”
My mouth falls open. “I feel like suck a fucking idiot.”
Luis
“Ican’t let you leave,” Mother says, her arms folded as she stands in my doorway watching me pack. “Your country needs you.”
“It’s only a few days, mother. Reinqueno will survive. Especially since they have their stunningly talented and witty queen to guide them.”
“Flattery will do you no good, Luis. You’re about to step up and claim the throne. Leaving the country for a…apartyin America is hardly becoming of a soon-to-be king. Sometimes I question your father’s wisdom for sending you to that place.”
“He did it so I’d have an understanding of what a normal life feels like.” Zipping up my luggage, I let out a sigh before I turn to her and place my hands on her upper arms. “One last time, mother. I just want to go and see my friends—the people who opened their home and spent family holidays with me forfouryears—one last time. Surely you can afford me that.”
She juts her chin and tightens the line of her lips. “I don’t like it. But I can’t stop you.”
“I know, Mama.” I lean in and press a gentle kiss to her forehead. My mother is a tiny woman, the top of her head barely reaching over the shoulder of my six-foot-five frame. When my father was alive, he’d comment that she was lucky her hair was fiery red, or we’d lose her in a crowd. “But I need this. I need to say one last goodbye.”
“And you’ll take your equerry?”
“His name is Charles, and of course he’ll be there. He’s always there,” I say, my gaze sliding to the edge of the room where Charles stands ramrod straight, pretending he isn’t listening. “I can’t scratch my dick without that man bearing witness.”
Mama gasps and slaps me on the chest. “That kind of talk is hardly befitting a king!”
“Lucky I’m not a king yet,” I say with a laugh as I catch her hand then hold it to my chest. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
She lets out a heavy sigh. “One moment late and I’ll send the Royal Guard.”
“Agreed.”
“Then have fun, my son. Have as much fun as you can. Then say goodbye to that life forever. You won’t be able to do this again. Kings don’t jet off to South Carolina for parties.”
“I know, mama,” I say, my voice strained as my chest tightens. Knowing this is my last chance is something I’m only too aware of.
One last time…
Tara
“You OK there?” Laura asks as I pace around the room, muttering to myself as I triple check that everything is perfect for the party.
“The guests will be here soon,” I force out. There’s a ball of nerves sitting right in the center of my chest and I’m struggling to stop myself from panicking. A prince is coming to a Mitch’s surprise party and these paper decorations are a joke compared to what he’s used to. He’s spent the last eight years training to take the crown from his late father—I should know, I googled the absolute crap out of him since I realized all of his stories were real. Luis attendsballsandevents,and all those other fancy things that royalty does. I mean, he spends time on hisyachtfor crying out loud.He’s going to take one look at this place and declare it ‘quaint’ which is just a fancy way of saying something is way below the standard, but we’re giving you points for trying.
“And everything looks perfect, Tara. You’ve gone above and beyond. Mitch is going to love it.”
“Huh?” I look up from where I’m rearranging plates and see the worried smile on her face.
