Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
He’s sleeping, calm down.
I pack up my things and give my regrets to James about staying another day for the full roster of birthday weekend celebrations at the castle.
All I want is to go home. My chest is hot and tight every time I think about James’ social media post, my face burning.
I’ve got to deal with this situation right away.
Edward texts me too, and I don’t have the heart to message him back yet.
I had a wonderful time with you last night. I would love to see you again soon x
Which, remarkably, doesn’t make me feel the least bit better, no matter what James is trying to orchestrate between us. Kissing people generally comes as easily to me as breathing—but not when it upsets Stef. Shit. I should have thought about this more last night. My shoulders droop.
By the time the driver takes me back to London a couple of hours later, there’s still no response from Stef. Has he seen James’ post? Well, odds are good, after all. They’re friends. The algorithm knows that they’re friends too, and it will prioritize James’ post about the party.
When we reach the M25, it’s got to be after 9:00 a.m. in New York, and there’s still nothing. I squeeze my phone in my hand, as if by doing so I can manifest a text from him. Stef may or may not be sleeping. I try to call, but it goes straight to voicemail.
“Fuck.”
You’ve done it again, Theo. Not in a good way.
And there’s still nothing by the time I get home.
With a certain amount of dread, I walk into my flat, throw myself down on the sofa, and send off a sting of texts as I doom spiral.
This is all my fault, possibly also a little bit of James’ fault too.
Neither of these facts makes the situation any better.
I can’t stop thinking about you x
You were so, so hot last night
Also if you’ve seen James’ Insta — it was all part of his cover plan for me, I’ll explain. I’m so sorry
Please text me when you see this?
Then, I force myself to shut my eyes and take a few deep breaths. After an eternity passes, I send one more text.
I miss you x
Somehow, despite my angst, the exhaustion catches up with me, and with the familiarity of home, I doze off to sleep. I’m awoken a while later by the buzzing of my phone on my chest while I lie sprawled on the sofa. Blearily, I reach for the phone.
I was travelling, my plane just landed
Wide-awake now, I sit up fully, staring at the phone and holding my breath. He’s typing, pausing, retyping.
I don’t know what to say. Yes I saw the post… I was surprised
Fuck me. I swallow hard.
Yeah. I’m very sorry
Then, I video call Stef, hoping he picks up. I scrunch up my face as I wait. One ring. Two rings. Three rings.
Of course he’s upset. Of course he doesn’t want to talk to me.
“Hey,” Stef answers, looking troubled.
“I’m so sorry, Stef. Believe me, I don’t feel anything for the Duke of Wiltshire. He’s a perfectly nice man that James is scheming over to make some fake dates for me. And James wanted it to be convincing last night. He had us kiss.”
Stef tilts his head, pressing his lips together in a line. “I still don’t know what to say. On one hand, I get it. On the other, I don’t. Especially after last night…”
“The photo with Edward was earlier in the night. I should’ve told you earlier.”
He runs a hand through his hair, giving me an uncertain look.
Way to go, Theo. You’ve ruined something else good.
“Where are you, anyway?” I try carefully. I don’t recognize the room he’s in.
“Amsterdam.”
I blink. “What’re you doing in Amsterdam?”
“I’ve got a layover overnight at my brother’s before I go to Athens.”
“I didn’t know you had a brother in Amsterdam.”
Stef looks bemused. “I have brothers everywhere. I’m staying with Giorgos, my oldest brother.”
I’m quiet for a long moment, searching his face for any hint, but he’s well schooled to neutral prince face as default. Which goes with the territory. “Would it be mad if I asked if I could come to see you?”
“Here?” Startled, Stefanos sits up more fully.
“Well, maybe not quite at your brother’s,” I say wryly. To be honest, I’d go anywhere he asked. “Unless you want me to, that is.”
Stef shakes his head. “Not at my brother’s.”
“’Kay. When? Where?”
His look of uncertainty remains as he chews his lip. “I don’t know.”
If only I knew how to make this better. My chest is tight. “I don’t want to pressure you into anything—”
“It’s not that. Just…”
“Just?” I ask.
“I don’t know if this is going to help. This whole situation is a mess.”
“Do you want me to leave you alone?” I ask intently, rapt on him. My hands tremble. But I have to ask the question. And I have to live by the answer he gives me, whether I like it or not. My breath catches.
His voice is barely audible. “No.”
“Then?” I ask archly. “You can tell me to fuck off. Really. I deserve it.”
“You’re… trouble.”
I grin as my shoulders ease. “Yeah. The best kind, I promise.”
He rolls his eyes, but then his sudden smile is the salve to the spirit I needed. “Also—you’re shameless.”
“Yes. And?”
“And…” Stef draws in a deep breath. “I want you to meet me in Edinburgh. You must.”
Grinning, I run a hand through my hair. “Okay. Should I book a hotel?”
Stef gives me a wry look, like I’ve asked a very silly question. “No. Come to my home. Stay a night or two. I mean, it’s just a flat, nothing special—”
“It’s special if you’re in it.” I gaze at him. “Fact.”
And, sweet reward, he flushes pink. “I’m still upset with you.”
“I get it. When should I come up?”
He shakes his head slowly, considering. “You’re working, right? How about two weeks from now? Friday night? I’ll text you the address.”
“Done,” I say instantly. Like I even need to think about it. “Can’t wait.”
After I hang up with Stef, I text James immediately and inform him I’m borrowing his SUV soon for a road trip. It’s the least he can do, given his contributions to the fake dating situation, and I start to imagine a weekend together with Stef.