24. Royal Road Trip
24
ROYAL ROAD TRIP
WYATT
A journey to Cologne took just over two hours. However, royal travel was complicated. I wanted to drive myself—as I liked to do on a road trip. Instead, Odette’s security instructed me that we would be taking an “escort” to Cologne with marked cars. It was silly to protest—even more so once I climbed in the car and saw Odette’s cheerful face. Sunshine incarnate, her infectious smile put me at ease. Moreover, she had Grieg with her. That was a pleasant surprise.
“Sorry again for the fanfare.”
“Don’t apologise,” I turned to the dog before buckling up. “We have a third wheel.”
She chuckled. “I couldn’t bear to leave him. Rick had a field day, but I’m too weak. He’s sad without me. My entourage will watch him, and the hotel said it was fine.”
“Good,” I agreed. “He’s such a cheerful little dude.”
“He’s everything,” Odette cooed.
I clipped my seatbelt. The driver rolled out of the gate. Grieg, a pleasant companion, settled in between Odette and me.
“I never had a dog growing up,” I admitted. “I always wanted one. I am sure Theo would flip if he had one.”
“I never got one, either. Dogs were forbidden in my grandmother’s world. She hated animals. Anyone who hates animals should be suspect to good people.”
“You’re right,” I said. “No, it’s not like that. My mother is not anti-animals. We just moved a lot and rented.”
“Can you not have animals if you rent?”
It was a silly statement. I almost laughed before I realised Odette was a princess who couldn’t comprehend a cramped two-bedroom rental.
“Landlords hate pets. If they even will rent to you, you’ll have to pay an obscene deposit. It’s awful.”
“That sucks. Pets need homes.”
“Agreed,” I said.
“I want another dog. I want to adopt one. But I don’t have time to train a second right now.”
“That’s sweet,” I agreed.
An unexpected silence overtook us. Odette was easy to talk to. So, why was this hard? Was it the elephant in the room of me pretending that I did not find her pretty? At this point, denying attraction was silly. Yes, she was beautiful. She had perfect, round cheeks that grew wonderfully rosy with a laugh or smile. Her ass—to be frank—was remarkable. She had a beautiful softness to her, but none of this changed the fact that we were colleagues, she was a princess, and I was a tired old fuck with a kid. She’d never get it, and I’d never hold her down.
“It’s a road trip,” Odette said. “Isn’t it?”
“Unlike any I’ve ever experienced, Odette. A Royal Road Trip.”
She snickered. “You don’t love it, do you?”
I shrugged. “I love our chats. I would have preferred to take my car out for once.”
She blushed. Love our chats! Where the fuck did that come from?
“Our chats make me happy, too. Thank you for not making me feel stupid about my lack of experience.”
“What? You’re masterful at negotiation—and charming. People cannot deny you.”
“Nah. They want to impress me, Wyatt. ”
“No, it’s true. You can charm anyone. With that smile, how could anyone say no to you?”
What the fuck, Wyatt? Why are you digging yourself into this hole!? You’re making it fucking weird now!
What about Odette made me trip over myself like a schoolboy? It was proof of her irresistibility. But why ? What was this pull? And why was I stupid enough to keep talking to her like this? Given her flushed face, she thought I was coming onto her. C’mon, Wyatt!
My voice shot up, “Of course, that’s just… you did so great the other day. That’s all I am saying.”
“Of course.” Odette dropped my gaze, petting the dog.
I’d made it weird. I panicked, trying to think about how to distract from my awkward flub. Road trip, road trip. Think, Wyatt!
“Do you usually have a soundtrack to a road trip?”
“A mix. A playlist,” I answered. “Are you calling me old, Odette?”
She giggled. “No. I’ve just never been on a road trip—a proper one. Trust me.”
“Oh, well, yeah, playlists are fun. My wife was the playlist person. She had one for everything. Isla was a runner. So, she needed it for motivation.”
“I don’t understand running. More power to her. Runners are mad.”
“A little,” I chuckled. “She loved it. Liked time on a bike, too. I
“It’s good to have something you love. My bike is freedom. Well, if you made a playlist, what would it have on it?”
“Probably the blues,” I said. “I find the blues soothing. It was the only thing that settled Theo as a baby.”
“Blues is great,” Odette said. “Mine would be Motown with a mix of Jazz these days. I love standards.”
Her choices took me by surprise.
“Don’t look all befuddled, Wyatt Worthington! I love the stuff. I am shit at the trumpet. I tried, but I’m a pianist.”
“That’s awesome,” I said. “Theo loves music, but I don’t play anything. He’s big into the arts right now. One of the challenges thus far has been to find a nanny willing to put up with his nonstop art projects.”
“How is that going?”
“So far, so good. But it’s only been a few days. The person they hired is young and seems interested in interacting with Theo like he’s a person.”
“Good. He’s a person—a little person with a big personality.”
I smiled. She got it.
“You love kids, don’t you?” I asked.
“Of course! I live for kids. I’d like a few someday. We’ll see if it ever happens.”
“I said the same when I was your age.” Still making it weird, Wyatt .
“At least you admit it. Most men won’t. It’s okay to like children if you’re a man, right?”
“Right.”
“I never suspected Rick and Alex would have this many kids, but Rick loved having the one so much they did it again… and again… and again.”
“I thought they had only the three?”
Odette gave a cute audible wince, fixing her hair nervously.
“Well, Alex is pregnant, so she’s been sick. This will be four. Please, please don’t tell anyone. I shouldn’t have run my mouth?—”
“My lips are sealed. Congrats to them.”
A conflicting mix of emotions rolled over me. She’d shared this with me because she trusted me. That was new and exciting. Then, the loss came back—grief is always there. Grief because we never got to have that second baby. Grief because Isla so badly wanted another. Grief that Theo would never have a sibling. Happiness never won out. Even here, happily rolling along with a person I connected with—despite all odds—I wasn’t happy. Would I ever be satisfied?