Page 56 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
“Tools.” Enrique snickered. “You mean, toys.”
Alejandro didn’t look at his brother. He picked up his wineglass and sipped, the same way she had.
Jules recognized the impatience in his eyes. He was trying hard not to say anything. She respected him for not losing his temper. It couldn’t be easy letting so much roll off his back. Maybe she could make it a little easier on him this time. He’d come to her assistance by speaking up before, now she could return the favor.
“Having the buckets and tools delivered was a sweet gesture.” The afternoon had been a pure delight. The time had flown by with all the talking and laughter. She’d shared her dreams with Alejandro, something she’d never done with anyone else. Not even Brandt.
But Alejandro made her feel safe and, like the people on this island, accepted. He seemed to know her so well—better than her own family. It was easy to open up around him. He’d become a good…friend.
“And much appreciated,” she added for Alejandro’s benefit. “I would have never been able to build my castle without those items. Especially one that…”
“Lasts.” Alejandro raised his glass to her. “Now everyone can live…”
“Happily ever after,” she said with a smile.
“You shouldn’t have been out there so long.” Enrique scowled, seemingly oblivious to how close she’d gotten to his brother. “You’re sunburned.”
Jules touched her face. “Where?”
He studied her as if she were flawed and should be returned to the store for a refund. “Your nose.”
“Fair skin,” she said.
“I didn’t notice it when you were in my office,” Enrique said.
Thank goodness this hadn’t been the result of sailing. That would have been a total disaster. “I must not have put on enough sunscreen this afternoon.”
“The sun is strong here,” Alejandro said. “I should have reminded you.”
Enrique nodded, one of the few times she’d seen him agree with his brother. “Makeup will hide the redness. But if you get sunburned any worse, the wedding pictures will be ruined.”
Jules knew he expected her to make him look good. She’d have to layer zinc oxide on her nose during the race. Not only would that protect her skin from the sun’s harsh rays, but the thick, white lotion would help disguise her face better. “I’ll be more careful when we’re out tomorrow.”
Enrique eyed her suspiciously. “Planning to build more sand castles?
A lot more careful. She swallowed. Another sunburn would be a dead giveaway she wasn’t spending much of the daylight hours asleep in her bed. “No, but I plan to be outside. I was hoping you could join me.”
Alejandro nodded his approval.
Enrique didn’t notice. “I have meetings.”
“You’ve heard about our afternoon, Enrique,” Alejandro said. “Tell us about yours.”
“It was more interesting than playing in the sand.” Enrique described his day in minute detail.
Jules mouthed the word “thanks.” She appreciated Alejandro shifting the focus off her and onto Enrique’s favorite subject—himself.
Courses paired with wines to complement the flavors of the dish came and went. Enrique droned on with Alejandro chiming in with comments spoken and muttered under this breath.
The differences between the two brothers became more distinct. Enrique was so focused on himself and his role as crown prince and future king, nothing else mattered. She wasn’t sure if he cared who sat at the table with him as long as someone was present to hear him speak.
But Alejandro wasn’t perfect, either. His blatant disdain for the responsibilities thrust upon him by his royal birth and his lack of respect for the monarchy made her question his priorities. She wished he wasn’t so intent on turning his back on his duty.
Still she enjoyed his company. No one had ever made her feel so…good, capable, alive. Underneath his casual, sailor exterior, Jules saw a man—a prince—who loved his country with his whole heart, the same as her. But he’d been pushed aside due to the birth order and forced to live in Enrique’s shadow. And for that, he blamed the monarchy and the rules that accompanied it.
