The door to my father’s office opens and my mother walks in, stopping for a second when she sees me. Then she puts on a serene smile and crosses the room. “Henry, darling. You’re up early. I thought you’d be suffering from jet lag and we wouldn’t see you until close to lunch today.” She reaches up on her tippy toes and kisses me on the cheek. “Where’s your little friend today? Still sleeping?”
“Cut the crap, Mother.”
Gasping, she puts one hand on her chest. “Henry! How dare you speak to me that way.”
“I’m putting you on notice, Mother. I know what you’re trying to do and it won’t work. If you try to interfere, I promise you I will leave Tanovia, marry her in the U.S., and make a life for us there.”
“That’s ridiculous. You can’t mean that!”
“I can and I do. Addison is perfect for me. She’s smart and she cares about people and she loves me for who I am, not my b
ank account.”
“Nonsense. She’s a gold digger. Anyone with two eyes could see that immediately,” my mother says.
“She is not. She’s studying to be a civil rights lawyer, and she’ll be a damn fine one at that. And she’s been a very good influence on me, actually. For the first time, I’ve made the dean’s list this semester, instead of skating by.” My tone is firm. “And you owe it to me to give her a chance.”
“We don’t owe you anything,” my father says calmly. “You are our son. We’ve given you everything you’ve ever wanted since you were born and it’s time you repay us.”
“And how exactly shall I do that?”
“By breaking it off with this silly American and announcing your engagement to Bianca.”
I shake my head. “Never. I’ve made my choice. You can either accept her or accept the fact that you will lose me.”
“I can’t believe you’re serious,” my mother says, pretending to tear up. “After everything we’ve done for you,” she sobs into her hands. “I endured twenty-nine hours of hard labor to bring you into the world. Twenty-nine. ‘Take some drugs to ease the pain,’ the doctor said, but I refused. ‘I won’t do anything to hurt my child,’ I told him. And now, you just turn on us like this.”
“I’m sorry if you think me ungrateful, but I won’t marry someone I don’t love just because you refused an epidural twenty-six years ago!”
Chapter 13
Addison
It’s been three days since we arrived and Henry whisked me away for two days skiing in the mountains, just the two of us. Literally. He somehow had the ski resort closed so it was only us and the ski patrol people. We stayed overnight at an incredible lodge his family owns that you can ski up to. It was amazing. He was such a patient instructor, always encouraging me and waiting for me in case I fell. By the end of the second day, I actually managed to make it all the way down the run without falling once, which I consider a major victory. It was wonderfully romantic to be on our own in such a gorgeous place and I fell even more in love with him, which I didn’t know was possible. It also makes this entire thing a lot scarier. When we’re alone together, it’s perfection. I’ve never been happier. But, I just don’t fit into his real life and I don’t think I ever will, which means I don’t know if there’s a happily ever after in our future.
Today, we’re at the massive stone cathedral for his cousin Edwin’s rehearsal. Henry is one of his groomsmen, even though he and Edwin basically can’t stand each other. His parents wanted him to stand up for his cousin to show the monarchy’s unwavering support for the union. I guess his cousin is marrying the fifth in line for the Belgian throne, which will help with trade between the two countries. I’m sitting at the back of the church, feeling very out of place in my simple navy dress and beige heels. Henry is at the front, looking sexy in a black suit. I sit, watching him interact with the rest of the bridal party, knowing none of them would consider me good enough to shine their shoes. What am I doing here? I’m a waitress for God’s sake.
I hear the clicking of heels behind me but I don’t turn to see who it is. Whoever they are, they won’t be coming to meet me anyway.
Or are they?
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a woman in a red dress approaching. She sits next to me and sniffs a bit, then turns to me. She’s absolutely gorgeous, with flowing chocolate colored hair and bright green eyes. She’s a tiny little thing too. I bet she spends hours at the gym each week and eats nothing but lettuce and grilled chicken breasts. She smiles stiffly and holds out her right hand. “Bianca Tidsdale.”
“Addison Cooke,” I say, forcing myself to look her in the eye and smile.
“I know who you are,” she says, shaking my hand limply, then pulling away and straightening her skirt. “I wanted to meet Henry’s latest conquest in person.”
Latest conquest. She obviously thinks she can get under my skin but it won’t work. “Are you a friend of his?”
“More than friends. I’m to be his wife when he finishes this silly little romp around America.” She turns to gaze at him and sighs.
My entire body feels numb as I take in what she just said. She’s supposed to marry him. I should get up and walk away right now. Without another word. But I can’t move. I can’t speak. I just sit perfectly still, not even daring to breathe.
“I’m sorry. I hope I’m not coming across as cruel by telling you that. I just thought it was kinder to let you know where you stand now, in case you…get any ideas about a future with Henry. He does tend to lead women on in a most horrific way,” she says with a little laugh. “But don’t be angry at him. I think he actually believes he’s falling in love with them.”
My mind is spinning so fast, I can hardly keep up. “Where’s the ring?” I ask, looking down at her hand.
“What?”