Page 65 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
He gave her a high-five. She would have preferred a hug, but being able to touch him was enough. For now.
“I’ve never seen anyone sail like you did today,” he said. “Awe-inspiring.”
“You’re the best, J.V.,” Sam said.
“Thanks for the ride.” The sailor they’d rescued, Robert, shook her hand. “We underestimated you, kid. You’re one helluva a helmsman.”
Jules smiled, but didn’t say anything. Her voice would give her away. She couldn’t fake a deep tone now. Not with delighted joy exploding like fireworks in her chest.
The boat docked. People were waiting for them. A medical crew stood in front of the crowd.
“Looks like you’ll need a checkup,” Alejandro said to their guest.
Robert had changed into spare dry clothes down below. “I’d rather hit the bar and wait for my boat to arrive.”
“Maybe there’s a pretty doc or nurse to keep you company, mate,” Sam said.
“One can hope.” Robert saluted Jules and the rest of the crew. “Thanks again. Good race, but watch out for us next year.”
Alejandro laughed. “We’ll have our eyes open looking back at you the entire way.”
Robert grinned wryly. “With this kid driving, you might be.”
As he left with the medical crew, people pushed forward.
“Look at all these fans, mates,” Sam said. “Smile. The media is here, too.”
Jules’s heart slammed against her chest. A horrible sense of dread replaced the wonderfulness of the moment. The press took pictures, asked questions, followed up.
So not good.
She ducked her head and pulled her cap lower.
“You may find yourself a pretty girl out of this, J.V.,” Sam teased with a slap on Jules’s back.
Jules forced a smile. Anything would be better than the truth coming out.
“Don’t worry,” Alejandro whispered so only she could hear.
She appreciated his words, but she was worried. Terrified. Her future, her country’s future and her children’s future were all at stake. The press circled like a school of hungry piranhas. She swallowed around the spinnaker-size lump in her throat.
The sea of people standing on the dock grew larger. Some held cameras. A few shouted questions in a variety of languages: Spanish, German, French, Italian and English. She understood most of the questions, but she pretended not to hear them.
Her insides trembled, but she maintained her composure. A teenage boy would relish the attention after winning a race, not run away. Still her feet were itching to take off.
Who was she kidding?
If she could jump into the water and swim away without drawing attention to herself, she would.
“We need to get you out of here,” Alejandro whispered.
“I can swim.”
“So can the sharks.” He tried to lead her away from the mob, but the crowd pushed closer. “It’ll be okay.”
She clung to his words even though her doubts multiplied by the seconds. Camera flashes blinded her. Reporters shoved microphones and digital recorders in her face. Arms reached for her.
Jules cringed. Bodyguards never let crowds get so close. She wasn’t used to being touched like this. Her anxiety level spiraled.
Someone touched her cap.
“Please don’t.” She held it on her head with both hands. “Alejandro.”
He tried to help her. “Leave the kid alone.”
Another person grabbed the cap off her head. The wig went with it, leaving her wearing a nylon cap.
People gasped. A horrible silence fell over the crowd.
“It’s a girl,” a man shouted.
“A woman,” another yelled.
“Hey,” a woman said. “Isn’t that the princess who’s going to marry Crown Prince Enrique?”
The air rushed from her lungs. Her worst nightmare was coming true. Everyone would know her true identity now. Including Enrique and her father.
Her heart and her head felt as if they might explode.
Hundreds of people surrounded her, but she’d never felt so alone. And she had only herself to blame.
Life as she knew it was over.
Had it been worth it?
She glanced at Alejandro. He’d removed his sunglasses. The warmth in his eyes drove her goose bumps away.
“Do not worry,” he said softly. “I’m here. You won’t have to face this alone.”
