Page 10 of Stalking Rose

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Damien doesn’t sound too shocked or pissed off. “The goddamn Silver Spoon Falls water claimed another victim.” Giant explained to me that all the residents believe there’s something in the town’s water that causes men to fall head over heels for their soulmates. I don’t really believe the rumor, but I’m not going to complain since I found my future queen. “Does she know what’s going on?”

“She does,” I reassure him. “And I’m pretty sure she feels the same about me. We’re going to stay here for two weeks and get to know each other. Then I’m taking her back to Belldonnia. You can break the news to your wife.”

“You motherfucker,” my younger brother hisses. “I can’t believe your fucking situation is going to bite me in the ass.”

“Oops,” I joke and hang up, knowing my brother will do whatever it takes to smooth this over with his wife.

“I take it you were talking to Damien.” My rose bud walks up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist. I jump when she suddenly pinches my side. “How dare you tell him our plans before you discuss them with me.”

Oh, man. It takes some fancy footwork and a long make-out session before I manage to soothe her ruffled feathers. In the end, we decide to use the two weeks to get to know each other. Rose agrees to come to Belldonnia, but only after she returns to Silver Spoon Falls and works out her notice at the surgeon’s office. I offer to pay him for his inconvenience, but my rose bud refuses. She insists on making things right herself. I’d be proud of her if I wasn’t going to miss her so much.

Chapter10

Rose

The rest of my first real vacation flies by. Before I know it, the time to go back home comes. Lorenzo isn’t crazy about the idea of returning home without me, but I have things to do in Silver Spoon Falls before I can move to Belldonnia permanently.

We had originally planned for Lorenzo to fly with me to Texas to celebrate Christmas. He intended to stay for a few days cutting our time apart way down. Unfortunately, one of his uncle’s rebels ruins our plans when he takes all the employees of a government office hostage. Lorenzo is needed in Belldonnia to deal with the catastrophe, so I end up flying back to Texas with Dalton, my new bodyguard, while Lorenzo heads straight to Belldonnia.

“I can’t believe you’re going to abandon me,” Milly whines again. Since she picked me and Dalton up at the airport an hour ago, my best friend has been giving me a hard time. We headed straight to my apartment on the edge of town since I’m about to crash hard from jet lag.

“I’m not abandoning you,” I tell her and watch Dalton fake coughing behind his fist to hide the smile breaking out across his face. Princess is tired of being ignored, and my massive Rottweiler puppy jumps up on my lap and licks my face. “You’re a freaking princess with servants and a husband who adores you,” I remind Milly as the dog settles across my lap.

“But you’re my best friend.” She glares at me while Damien wraps his arms around her hugely pregnant body.

“Let’s go home, peach. Rose is about to fall asleep standing.” Milly opens her mouth to argue, but Damien places his finger across her lips. “I promise to make you feel better.” A blush spreads across my friend’s face as she melts against her husband. “You can give Rose hell again tomorrow.”

“I’ll be back.” She points at me and glares as her husband drags her to the door.

“Thanks for the warning.” We both know she’s going to forgive me.

I end up spending Christmas with Milly and Damien while my heart is in Belldonnia with Lorenzo. He video conferences us while we open presents but it’s still not the same as having him here with me.

* * *

Today is my last day at Dr. Tate Grimes’ office, and they are giving me a going away party. Actually, the party started early this morning when Dr. Grimes brought in donuts and coffee for breakfast.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow,” Milly rubs her pregnant belly and whines. “I’m only letting you go because you promised to come back for my little’s one’s birth.”

To calm my best friend down, I agreed to fly back to Silver Spoon Falls around her due date. I made the promise without consulting Lorenzo, but he will just have to deal with it. I’m pretty sure I can find a way to soothe his ruffled feathers.

My royal honey is flying in tonight, and it’s not a moment too soon. Every day without him has felt like an eternity, and I’m ready to start the next phase in our relationship. I have a little secret that’s burning to escape, but I refuse to tell anyone before Lorenzo.

“I’m glad Lorenzo can fly here to get you,” Milly tells me while she cuts a huge piece of cake. “God, these pregnancy hormones don’t play around.” She takes a huge bite of the pink frosted cake and groans. “This freaking icing is the best. Are you going to have a piece?” Milly asks, and I shake my head no. My own pregnancy hormones are playing havoc with me, and the sight of the cake turns my stomach, but I can’t tell her that. Hiding my discomfort from her is getting harder by the minute. “Damien said he handled the hostage situation like a pro.” Milly finishes off her cake in three bites.

“It’s a shame that the rebel didn’t come to his senses before he caused all that trouble. He’s going to spend the rest of his life in jail for a stunt that gained him absolutely nothing,” I tell her. I’ve been breathing easier since the rebel surrendered two days ago.

Mariah, one of the receptionists, walks up to us and tells me, “We’re going to miss you.” I smile and thank her, relieved at the opportunity to change the subject.

“That’s an understatement,” Dr. Grimes interjects before turning to Damien to give him hell. “Man, are you getting sleep? You look like shit.”

Only one of his MC brothers could get away with telling Prince Damien he looks like hell.

“Fuck off,” Damien hisses quietly, but I still hear him. Dr. Grimes just shakes his head and smirks at his MC brother.

“Come on.” Milly wraps her arm in mine. “The testosterone is about to get heavy in here.”

She’s not wrong. Before I can step away, Dr. Grimes turns to me. “If you ever want to come back, just let me know.”

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