Page 44 of The Prince Falls First
She walked inside, the scent of roses soft in the air and bouquets of them scattered throughout the foyer, the nearby sitting room and likely other places given how prevalent the scent was. The space of this one guest room could nearly have taken an entire floor of her house.
He gestured down a small hallway. “Your bedroom and adjoining bath are down there. There’s also a small kitchen here, but it’s not stocked with very much. Don’t hesitate to call the kitchens if you’d like anything; they’re available 24 hours a day, even for guests.”
“I wouldn’t want to bother anybody. I’ll just order a small meal for dinner, and?—”
“You will not.”
She took a step back at his angry voice. “Okay, I won’t order anything at all. I don’t need anything. It’s fine.”
He shook his head and stepped slowly towards her, as if he were approaching a skittish cat he wanted to pet. “Of course you should order whatever you want, whenever you want it. I meant, you shouldn’t order a ‘small’ meal. Order a big fucking meal and eat whatever the fuck you like. Honestly, if I ever hear your mother speaking that bullshit in front of me…”
A small bit of warmth filled her chest. Not enough to erase years of body dysmorphia instilled in her by her mother, but it meant something that he would say that. She wanted to hear it a hundred more times, and she definitely wanted to be there when he told off her mother. Sadly, she didn’t think either would happen. “See? You don’t want to be stuck with my mother for the rest of your life either.”
A heavy silence lingered in the air, until he said, “You’re having dinner with us.”
“What? I can’t have dinner with the royal family!”
“It wouldn’t be with the royal family, it would be withmyfamily. While I realize they are the same thing to you, they are not to me. We’re not dressing up today, so you needn’t worry.”
She gestured to her dress. “I still can’t show up inthis! I shouldn’t show up at all. They’ll thinkthingsif we show up together.”
He took another step closer. “You’re not the only lady staying over, remember? You won’t be the only—and I hate this word—‘outsider’ at the table. Agnes can bring you something to wear if you’re concerned about your outfit.”
“We’re very different body types. I doubt anything of hers will fit me.”
“You’ll manage, and you’ll look beautiful in whatever you wear.” He reached up to cup her cheek. “You always do, despite your poor opinion of yourself.”
She hated when he spoke the truth, particularly about her. “If you want your parents to hate me, having me show up to dinner in an ill-fitting dress, when you know we don’t have a future together, will do it.”
“We could though. If you’d only give me and my family a chance. I can show you?—”
She stepped back and his hand fell away. “I’ve given you so many chances, don’t you see? Every time I give you any leeway, you take control and force me into situations or scenarios I don’t want. You’re pushing me towards whatyouwant, not whatIneed.”
She sighed. “You refuse to understand what I’m saying. Can you ask a driver to take me to the Kaur’s, please? I really want to leave.”
He was silent for a few moments, watching her. “Leave me or leave the palace?”
“Both? Honestly, what’s the point, Gabriel? We don’t fit. Maybe we never will.”
After a few more moments, he ran a hand over his face and nodded. “I’ll escort you out.”
“You don’t need to.”
“I want to. I’m still a gentleman, Genevieve. I still care for you. I think you care for me, just not for this life. I can’t blame you for it, but that doesn’t mean I want to stop pursuing you.”
He used the suite’s phone to make the call, then escorted her out. It was a long and quiet walk out of the palace. He kissed her hand and helped her into the car, and he waited for the car to drive off. She was proud of herself for not looking back.
The car ride was also quiet, but she didn’t mind it. Her house was so rarely quiet and she had too many thoughts swirling.
When she arrived at the Kaur’s their butler opened the door and led her inside. Sam must have seen the car because she came bounding down one side of the dual staircase in the foyer.
Sam kissed her on each cheek. “I didn’t know you were coming over.”
“I was out when the rain started and the road to my house got washed out. Can I stay over tonight?”
Sam beamed. “Of course! Did you-know-who drop you off?”
“Long story but no.”
