Chapter 55
Chapter Fifty-Five
In the mid-morning, when I wake up again, Stef’s gone. In his absence, I discover a bottle of sunscreen on the bedside table, which is no kind of substitute.
I shower and swim in the pool and try my best to put him out of my mind. I wander through the day, between swims and sessions with reading my novel, eating and napping.
Trying to find an equilibrium again after Stef.
Like I’ve lost my heart.
The next two days are quiet. I get calls from Mamma and Freja, Ethan and James to wish me a happy birthday on the second day. I order in baklava and offer some to Mads and my security team in unacknowledged celebration, which does something to ease the relationship between us.
Later that night, I text Stef a sunset photo after a drive with Mads in tow.
Paleokastritsa. I recognize it. Gorgeous. Having fun?
It’s a bit lonely to be honest
I draw in a deep breath. Better out than in, they say. I keep messaging Stef.
What’re you doing?
Just finishing dinner with my family.
Late because we’re Greek
I check my watch. It’s just after 9:00 p.m., which tracks with my knowledge of Greeks. And I’m feeling a little—or a lot—reckless. But I’m also thinking about what Eddie told me. Go after what you want. So I text Stef, holding my breath.
Want some company?
Yes
Want me to meet you and say hello to your family too?
There’s a period of time where Stef types and types. Then there’s a pause. Then more typing. And, eventually, a response chimes.
Yes please
Clearing my throat, I glance over at Mads. “We’re going to Corfu Town. To visit the Greek royals.”
He looks at me in surprise but doesn’t comment, waiting for me while I dress for the occasion. And there’s something light in my chest, hopeful and anxious and excited.
Nearly an hour later, we’ve pulled up opposite Stef’s family’s flat in Old Town. I pull on my ball hat and sunglasses, even though it’s dark. We made a stop so I could buy a bottle of Greek brandy. With a deep breath and Mads my ever-present shadow, I ring the buzzer. At least Mads steps back.
Stef answers, dressed in my borrowed Balenciaga shirt, gray shorts, and bare feet. He gives me a huge grin. “Happy birthday.”
I blink, taken aback. “How did you…?”
“You have a Wikipedia page, hate to tell you. All the key stats are there.” He tugs off my hat, then my sunglasses. Stef gazes affectionately at me.
“Oh. Right. Silly me.” I smile, my expression softening as I gaze at him, still out on the landing. And trying to wrap my mind around the idea that he’s been looking me up online… because I’ve gone from a public figure to a very public figure.
I hold up the gift bag as an offering.
Stef chuckles. “You didn’t need to bring anything. We should be giving you gifts.”
“Can’t turn up empty-handed to a Greek home. Total scandal. Also, isn’t it Greek custom that the person with the birthday covers the meal and drinks? I know that much. I’ve got at least fifty percent here.”
He laughs. “Well, we generally celebrate name days more than birthdays. The saint’s day where people are named after.”
“Right, okay.”
“But you’re not wrong about birthday traditions.”
Stef searches my eyes. His pupils are large in the low light, a smile playing across his lips. Across from us is the harbor on the other side of the street. And Mads lurks off in the shadows.
Then, Stef steps forward. “May I kiss you now?” he murmurs.
“Anytime is a good time for kisses,” I murmur right back, surprised but ecstatic at the prospect of kisses from Stef. But public kisses, even on a quiet street at night, are next-level. Especially when he’s not out to anyone other than his family.
“Happy birthday.” Catching my jaw, Stef kisses me lingeringly on the front step.
Then I lean my forehead against his, trying to steady my breath, elated. It’s intoxicating, having him so close. “Aren’t you worried about being—”
“No.” He kisses me again. This time, our kisses deepen for a moment. And we’re the only two people in this town. Everything else has fallen away.
I brush his cheek with my fingertips when we finally straighten.
And at last, we go inside. I take off my sandals and follow Stef inside as he leads me by the hand. I swear I’m having an out-of-body experience at this point, but he lets go just as we enter the main room from the corridor.
Where Stef’s family is: his mother, his father, his brother.
All rise to their feet, all watching me with curiosity, his father more intensely than the others.
Prince Stavros has salt-and-pepper hair and a steely look to rival Mads.
Princess Maria has midnight hair flowing past her shoulders, while Spiros is gangly in that way I was at his age, with a mop of wavy dark hair.
“Mama, Baba, this is King Theodor, His Majesty the King, Count of Oldenburg.”
All eyes are on me. Which is a sensation I’m getting increasingly used to. But it’s definitely more unsettling in a small group. Especially when it means so much.
“Please, call me Theo,” I offer into the silent room. “The rest is a bit of a mouthful, I must say.”
Stef glances at me with a smile. “Theo, this is my father, Prince Stavros, and my mother, Princess Maria, and my brother, Prince Spiros.”
“Hi, Theo.” Spiros is the first to speak. He smiles.
“Shouldn’t you be a Christian or a Frederik?” Stef’s father asks tersely after a round of handshaking following the round of introductions.
“My middle name is Frederik, actually. The cultural tradition continues.”
“What do you mean?” Spiros asks, peering at me with curiosity.
“In Denmark, kings have been named either Christian or Frederik for hundreds of years. Usually. It’s tradition to alternate between the two names. My father was King Christian.”
“But you’re not either one,” Spiros says.
“I’m not,” I agree. I think of Freja and suppress a sigh.
“Theo brought a gift, Baba,” Stef says pointedly, glancing at his brother, passing him the gift bag I brought.
“Thank you,” Prince Stavros says gravely. “I understand from Stefanos it’s your birthday.”
“Yes, it is.”
“It won’t do to spend your birthday alone,” Princess Maria tells me warmly, then chides Stef. “He should have been here for dinner, agape mou. And we could have made arrangements for dessert from the bakery.”
“You’re right.” Stef clears his throat, glancing at me before meeting his father’s gaze.
His gaze lingers, an unreadable expression on his face.
I hear him draw in a long breath. And, a moment later, Stef takes my hand, his skin electric against mine.
Warm. Grounding. I give him a sharp look, stunned.
“And there’s something else important you should know.
” Stef smiles affectionately at me before looking at his parents again.
His expression is open and bright now. Like he’s been bursting to tell them important news.
Stef draws in a deep breath. “Theo’s my boyfriend,” he finishes, squeezing my hand.
I squeeze back, also trying to remember to breathe. Boyfriend? Did he say boyfriend? As in, me?
Obviously, Stef’s not holding anyone else’s hand, but we didn’t talk about this—because I thought it was too impossible.
We both did. Because Stef hadn’t been out.
That what we had for a brief time was in the past or only in secret.
And now, even with Stef out to his parents, our paths too different, too complicated.
My heart leaps. And I realize how desperately I’ve wanted Stef—as my boyfriend. My body’s covered in goose bumps.
And with what must be a stunned smile, I nod, dazed. Stef gives me the warmest grin. It’s all I can do to hold on to him and not float away with joy. My heart thunders.
“Ha, called it,” Spiros crows in triumph, grinning. He flashes us a thumbs-up.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise.” Princess Maria gives a cautious smile, taking the bag from her husband, who continues to stare at us. He’s not blinking. Or breathing, as far as I can tell. Then again, neither am I. “Stef never tells us about who he’s dating.”
“I decided it’s time I did.” Stef beams at me.
I clear my throat, finding air again to speak after I suck a breath down. “I’m very lucky to have Stef as my boyfriend.”
Spiros looks from Stef to me and back again. He looks satisfied.
Prince Stavros’ intense gaze remains fixed on me. He huffs. “Boyfriends!”
“Boyfriends,” Princess Maria confirms, giving her husband a warning look. She turns back to me, smiling. “Thank you, Theo. Stef’s very lucky to have you as his boyfriend.”
“I feel the same way about Stef,” I say instantly.
“Should we all have a drink? For Theodor’s birthday? And to celebrate their news?” Princess Maria asks after pulling out the bottle of brandy to admire it. “Thank you again. Please, everyone, sit. Spiros, do bring us glasses. The short ones.”
As if he’d been waiting for the cue, Spiros hops up and heads to the kitchen.
I sit next to Stef, my heart still going overtime, our fingers interlaced between us as we sit on the sofa opposite his parents.
At this point, I swear I’m having an out-of-body experience, adrenaline rushing through me.
Stef’s anchoring me right now. It’s all I can do to string together a sentence while my world’s flipped upside down in the best possible way.
“I’m truly sorry about the yacht accident last winter,” I offer.
Moving on from staring, Prince Stavros tsks, tilting his head back, an immediate reaction.
To his credit, he answers smoothly. Which, fair, he must be black belt level at this point dealing with awkward situations after a lifetime of being a prince.
“I’m very glad both you and Stefanos are safe,” he grumbles at last.
“The most important thing,” Princess Maria agrees. “Everything else can be replaced.”
Spiros returns shortly with a tray of low glasses, and Prince Stavros pours drinks for everyone except Spiros.
“Hey,” Spiros protests. “C’mon.”
“You can have a Coca-Cola,” his father informs him sternly. “You’re fifteen.”
“Welcome, Theo. Happy birthday,” Princess Maria tells me, raising a glass, and they toast me. “Very good to meet you. I’ve heard much about you from Stef. He speaks very highly of you.”
“Happy birthday,” the others echo.
While I glance at Stef, my eyebrows climbing, out of the corner of my eye, I see Prince Stavros peering hard at his wife in question. Stef squeezes my hand again. And winks.
So Stef must have told his mother something about me.
About us.
Because Princess Maria definitely doesn’t seem as shocked as she should be about Stef’s reveal.
“How is it to be the new King?” Prince Stavros asks eventually.
“Good. It’s as you might imagine—a big adjustment and a bigger honor,” I offer. “I’m learning a lot every day, and I have my mother and advisors to guide me.”
“You are very young to become King,” he says gruffly. “It will get easier with time. With more experience.”
“Let’s hope.” I smile.
Stef gives my hand another squeeze. “We’re going to go into town tonight.”
“Be careful, darling.” His mother gives him a concerned look. “With the paparazzi and everything else.”
“We’ll try to keep a low profile,” Stef assures them.
“And we have my security,” I add.
“Take Nikos and Steli. I insist,” Prince Stavros tells Stef firmly.
“Okay, okay. We will.” Stef gives me a sidelong glance, grinning, undaunted.
“Very good to meet you, Theo,” Princess Maria says warmly, walking us out after we finish our drinks. “Looking forward to hearing more about you.”
“Thank you. A pleasure to meet you all,” I say.
I’m reunited with my cap and sunglasses while Stef finds his. We put them on. After a quick meeting with our combined security, we head out into the sultry Kerkyra night, my heart still pounding like a wild thing.
When we’re outside on the step, more or less alone, our mouths crush against each other, his fingers on my chest.
“Did that actually happen?” I ask, still reeling from Stef’s bombshell revelation. “Am I really your boyfriend?”
“Yes,” Stef whispers, urgent. He searches my eyes. “If I’m yours.”
“Of course you are, gorgeous. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“You’re sure about going into town? You know there’s a risk we’ll get photographed together,” I tell him.
Stef nods. His gaze doesn’t waver, and his expression softens. I’m riveted. As if we’re the only ones left in Corfu. The air smells of the fresh sea breeze, and it’s quiet except for the sound of a passing car in the distance. “I know,” he says. “I’m ready for whatever comes… if you are.”
“So ready. I’ve wanted you for such a long time, gorgeous.”
“I want you too. So much.”
We kiss again, euphoric, practically giddy. It’s one less secret to keep, at least to Stef’s family. With Stef, I feel a lot less alone. Like maybe there’s a chance to get through everything, together.
And I don’t ever want this moment to end.