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“It was when we went out one night. Felix was in town, and he called me up, thinking that I needed some cheering up after… You know. We were dancing, and suddenly… it just felt different. Like there was more between us than just friendship.”
“Interesting,” she muses. “I like Felix, Lily, I do, but his reputation…”
I bite my lip.
“He’s a womanizer,” she adds.
“Mom, I think calling him a ‘womanizer’ is a bit harsh, don’t you?” I say, even though I know deep down that Felix’s reputation isn’t entirely undeserved.
She crosses her arms. “And how would you put it?”
“He’s just… been enjoying his youth.”
“Sweetheart, there’s a difference between enjoying your youth and being known for never being seen with the same woman twice.” Her gaze pierces me, demanding an explanation I’m not sure I can give without revealing the truth.
“Isn’t it possible that he just hasn’t found the right person yet?” I counter. “Maybe he’s been searching for something more meaningful all along, and now he’s found it with me.”
My mother studies me for a moment, her expression softening. “What makes you think he will change his ways for you?” she asks gently.
I hesitate. There’s no way to really sell this right now, is there? Not if I want to make it look realistic.
“I don’t know if he will,” I admit, the words tasting like defeat. I remind myself that this is precisely why our relationship must remain a carefully orchestrated lie. “But maybe we can find a way to make it work.”
“Darling.” My mother sighs. “I want you to be happy. I truly do. If you think Felix is the one for you, then I’ll support you. Just promise me that you’ll be careful and protect your heart.”
It’s an odd sentiment from a woman so concerned with appearances. She wanted me to marry Rick purely because of the family he came from.
Which must be one of the reasons she seems conflicted about Felix. He’s royalty, as upper crust as they come, but he’s also nearly destroyed that reputation his family gave him.
It is nice, though, to know that there’s more to it than that. My mom is concerned about appearances, but she’s also concerned about my heart.
She needn’t be worried, though. I know what I’m doing, and I have the situation under control.
“Thank you, Mom.” I muster a smile, swallowing the lump of guilt lodged in my throat. “I promise.”
But as we get in her car and continue on to our lunch, my mother’s words echo like a haunting refrain in my mind. Protecting my heart seems like an impossible task when every day spent with Felix is only a reminder of what I don’t really have, of what I never will, and of what I’ve had to settle for.
CHAPTER 12
FELIX
Lily’s hair whips in the wind as we drive down the steep San Francisco hills towards the restaurant. The light dances in her eyes, making them sparkle like emeralds.
She might, quite possibly, be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
It’s strange, this feeling of excitement and anticipation bubbling inside me. Is it because we’re going to one of the hottest restaurants in town — a place sure to be swarming with paparazzi? Or is it simply the thrill of being seen with Lily?
“Are you ready for this?” I ask her, trying to sound casual.
“Absolutely.” She waggles her eyebrows at me. “Let’s give them something to talk about.”
We pull up to the entrance, and just as expected, a horde of photographers awaits us, their cameras flashing like a sea of stars. I reach over and take Lily’s hand, helping her out of the car. She beams at me, radiant, and I find myself hoping that our charade looks as genuine as it feels in this moment.
“Smile for the cameras,” I whisper to her as we make our way through the crowd.
The paparazzi shout questions and snap pictures, trying to capture every last detail of our arrival. I wrap an arm around Lily’s waist, drawing her close, and she leans into me, her laughter ringing out like music.
“Prince Felix, are you and Lily officially a couple?” one of the photographers calls out.
