Chapter 56
Chapter Fifty-Six
Stef and I keep glancing at each other, grinning nonstop, but restrained enough to keep from kissing in the street in Old Town around other people.
The night is still very warm, heat radiating from the ground.
We walk past storefronts shuttered for the night, tavernas and bars with people spilling into the pedestrian lanes.
People walk and laugh and carry on in Old Town at night.
Following Stef’s lead, we make our way to our destination, a popular bar where some of our security has gone ahead. The lights are low, music plays, people laugh and carry on.
At the back, we have a relatively private table, with Steli and Mads at the next table drinking ouzo, and Nikos somewhere nearby.
So far, we haven’t been clocked, everyone else into their own group and parties.
The music thumps on, and everything feels amazing.
Beyond amazing. And it’s loud enough no one’s going to overhear our conversation. Perfect conditions.
“I still can’t believe you told your family I’m your boyfriend,” I manage over our flamboyant cocktails.
The shock hasn’t worn off that Stef’s come out to his family—and that I’m his boyfriend.
And his family knows about us. I don’t think my grin will ever go away.
I don’t want it to go away. “Did that actually just happen?”
“Yes and yes.” Stef leans back in his seat, beaming.
“I can’t believe it, to be honest. It’s gonna take a minute.” I chuckle, absorbing the sight of him. As ever, he’s delicious. And more than that, he’s mine and I’m his and everyone will know soon enough. “Fuck. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Under the table, he nudges my toe, and I nudge right back. Even through our shoes, the contact’s electric. Reassuring. “And how’re you feeling about tonight?”
“So happy,” Stef says, blissful. “I imagined this moment for ages. Telling my parents the truth about me. And then—about you.”
“And your mother?”
“I told her a couple of days earlier, I’ll admit.
I was hoping she’d be on my side and help me deal with my father when I told him about us.
I asked her if it was a good idea for you to come visit.
And she said yes. She wanted to meet this man she’d been hearing so much about.
She said I light up every time I talk about you.
She’s definitely easier to talk to than my father.
She also said my father would come around in time, because he wants me to be happy. ”
“And Spiros?” I chuckle.
He laughs. “Spiros has had a hypothesis for some time that I’ve been secretly seeing someone. He said not that long ago, I would have to confess eventually.”
I laugh too, elated. We gaze at each other for a long moment through the music. I work on my drink. “Better watch that one. And I just can’t believe you’ve told your family about us. I mean that in the best way. I’m so happy.”
“Yeah, he’s a little too perceptive sometimes,” Stef says, smiling. “At any rate, I’m happy too. I hope I didn’t say too much in there…”
“You said everything just right, believe me.” I nudge my foot against his. He was incredible with his parents. “Best birthday present ever.”
Stef’s flush is a fantastic reward. “Well. Jeg elsker dig, after all.”
Impressed, my eyebrows climb. I lean in. “I love you too. And are you really learning Danish now?”
“Actually, yes?” Stef coughs, grinning broadly.
“Are you serious?” I peer at him in amazement. Which is very next-level of him.
He nods. “For a while now. I’ve applied for grad school at the University of Copenhagen, my top pick for my PhD, and Aarhus University. And Cambridge and Oxford and UCL too. But… I want to be near you, Theo. If you want me near, that is.”
“God. Of course I do. Wherever you land, we’ll find a way to be together,” I promise affectionately. There has to be a way to make this work. “I can’t believe you’re learning Danish. I’m going to need to level up on my Greek.”
“What can you tell me?” Stef’s eyes dance.
“Se agapo para poli,” I say smoothly, grinning. If there was one phrase important to know, it’s this one.
“You should love me very much,” he teases fondly. His expression is soft and inviting, his gaze only for me. The way he looks at me makes me feel special. Wanted.
His.
We gaze at each other like we’re the only two people in the bar. It feels incredible, being here with him. Like we can do anything together. Like I can face being King, even if it’s a secret between us. At least for now, publicly.
“You better believe it. God.” I shake my head, overwhelmed. To have Stef in my life, even privately, would be next-level. “Would you come to Copenhagen? To meet my mother? I’ve also told her about you.”
“Of course I will. Just let me know when. Maybe after my work is done in the field, though I can come up for a weekend, too, if that works with your schedule.”
I nod. “We’ll figure something out. I promise. I’ll need to check in with my secretary. He’s the keeper of my schedule.”
Stef smiles.
We go back to grinning like fools at each other. I’m eager to get him back to the villa and prove to Stef how much I want him and a chance at a shared future together. Just in case he has any lingering doubts. We’ll find a way.
When a paparazzo snaps a shot of us leaving the bar, we’re startled out of our reverie into reality. Yet, hand in hand in the back seat of the car taking us back to the villa, it feels like we can face anything, as long as we do it together.
Even when Mads informs me the headlines the next morning are:
Royal Shock: From Sunken Yachts to Hot Dates
King Theodor’s with new squeeze, Prince Stefanos
Secret Royal Romance Exposed
And the way we gaze at each other in the photo at the bar is like we’re the only two people in the world—undeniably in love.