Page 22 of Scandal Queen
“Thank God you answered. I’ve been worried sick.”
“You have?”
“Leia, I’ve called like a gazillion times, but couldn’t get through. I know coverage is rubbish down there but that’s crazy.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know my phone rang.”
“How are you? Holding up okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Daisy is doing so much better; she seems at full strength now.”
“That’s good. She’ll be able to go back to school after the break. Now I was thinking, and don’t shoot me down before I’ve finished.” Molly gushed her words the way she always did when she’d fixated on something. I’d known her long enough to know she wouldn’t take a breath for at least thirty seconds. “I think you should stay with me. I’ve got room, I mean, I know it’s not ideal and it would make the commute to school longer for Daisy, but we could order cabs every day. If you were here though at least the press wouldn’t be able to find you, and hopefully by the time they did it all would have blown over.”
Ah. I saw my mistake. In my relief that Oliver had come back—and we’d not only reinforced our relationship, but over the last few days strengthened it into something I’d never anticipated—I’d failed to ring Molly.
My friendship skills sucked.
“Molly. Wait.”
“No. I said you can’t argue with me. I talked to Janine last night after work, and we really think that while everything that’s been printed has been awful, it would be good for you to come back to work. Everyone knows why you are here now, you may as well make the most of it. You’re an ambassador for dealing with shit.”
“Molly.” My voice cut in louder. “He’s here. He came the night you guys left.”
Silence met my words and I could almost hear her snapping her mouth shut.
“Prince Oliver is there with you now?”
“Uh yeah; it’s unreal isn’t it?”
“Well, what’s he said?” Molly’s enthusiasm cooled.
“That he was sorry, that he had things to sort out, but he wants us to be together.”
Another pause.
“Molly say something.”
“I—I don’t know what to say. So you are officially dating the future king?”
“Well, um, I guess it’s official.” I thought of him and what he’d said that first morning here when he’d called us his family. “I don’t think he’s planning on changing his mind.”
She tutted. “And you’ve forgiven him?”
“It’s not as black and white as that.” I hesitated, trying to find the right words. “I know it sounds crazy, and we haven’t been together that long. I know nothing about this is normal, but I don’t think I can live without him.”
“And the press? Have you even met his family? Leia, this isn’t a guy from the local. I mean, what do you know about being royal?”
Her words, accurate at they were, stung, piercing my bubble of the last few days with a sharp pin.
“Aren’t you pleased for me?”
My voice wobbled, but I straightened my back. She sighed, dramatically. “Yes. Yes, I guess so. What happens now? Where are you going to live?”
I nibbled my lip—well this was going to sound crap. “I don’t actually know. I mean we haven’t finalised anything.”
“So, he’s still denying it then to his family?”
“I don’t think so…” I trailed off. I mean he hadn’t actually said…? But then didn’t he tell me everyone knew where he was—even the cook knew…?
