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"It felt that way."
Mom clears her throat. "Maybe we should give you two some time alone to talk about all of this. Chuck, let's get our air mattress set up."
"Ben and I should help you," I say.
"We might be older than you two, but we aren't decrepit yet. Dad and I will manage."
My parents grab two of their shopping bags and head upstairs.
Ben sits there slumped in his chair, head down, looking so defeated that I want to hug him. Well, why shouldn't I? We've had sex, for heaven's sake. That gives me the right to comfort him. So I walk over to his chair and settle my butt on his lap, then loop my arms around his neck.
"What are you doing?" he asks, lifting his head.
"You need a cuddle. I can tell."
"I just told you I'm a ruddy coward who ran away from home rather than dealing with my problems."
"That's not what I heard." I nuzzle his cheek. "Everything you said told me that you're lonely and miserable in Mithoria. You love your life in England, and you don't want to marry some rich girl just to be proper. Running away might not have been the best choice, but I understand why you did it."
"I did leave a note. But that's childish too."
"You are not childish. You're struggling to find your way, that's all."
He tips his head to the side while studying me. "Why do you believe the best of me? I've told you I'm a spoiled rich boy who doesn't appreciate everything my family provides for me."
"Why do you keep trying to convince me you're nothing but an ungrateful spoiled brat?"
"I shouldn't have run away. I guess I'm feeling guilty about that."
"You could call your parents to apologize. Explain the situation to them. They might be more understanding than you think."
"Dad is much easier to talk to than Mum. She takes her royal duties very seriously."
"That's admirable. But she shouldn't force you to live the way she does."
"I'm the crown prince. When my father dies, I'm expected to take over."
Maybe that's true, but I have to ask a question. "Can't your sister become the crown princess or something? Take over in your place?"
He screws up his mouth. "Mithoria has always had a prince as ruler, and I'm the eldest, anyway. Not sure if the law allows a princess to take on that role. Never thought about it, actually. I doubt my mother would go for that, though."
It's time we get off the topic of his home country and his mother. Ben came to America for a vacation, to have fun and enjoy being a normal guy. Despite his title and his pedigree, Ben seems like just that—an average guy.
"Tell you what," I say. "Let's forget about all that stuff and just enjoy Christmas together."
"Sounds perfect. I know I'll need to deal with my mother eventually, but I'd love to relax and have a good time with you and your family."
"Let's just hope my brother and his family don't show up too. You'll be sleeping in the hot tub then."
He stares at me. "You don't think they would actually show up here, do you?"
"Probably not. Even if they do, you'll like them and they'll like you. Guaranteed."
Ben slips his arms around me, clasping his hands over my hip. "I feel better when I'm with you, like none of that other rubbish matters."
"From now until Christmas, don't worry about anything except having fun." I hesitate, but then add, "Though maybe you should let your family know you're okay. Don't have to tell them exactly where you are."
"I texted my sister just after I left the airport on my ill-fated journey to Hartmoor. She would've told Mum and Dad. They know I'm in America, staying at a friend's house, but not the precise location."
