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But when I see how well-adjusted he is, despite the obstacles he’s overcome, I’m reassured I did a pretty good job.We all did.
“Just promise you won’t forget me,” he says after a beat.“That you’ll still come to as many of my football matches as you can.”He pulls his lips between his teeth to hide the subtle quiver in his chin.“You’re the closest thing I have to a dad.”
I pull him back into my chest and kiss the top of his head, reminded of all the times I got up in the middle of the night with him when he was a baby so Rory could sleep.How I’d lay him on my chest as I lounged on the couch, watching some action movie with huge explosions.Over time, it seemed AJ preferred to fall asleep to those movies.
“No matter where I live, you’ll always be a huge part of me, AJ.”I tousle his dark hair.“You’ll always be my family.Nothing will ever change that.”
A floorboard creaks nearby, and I look up to see Rory watching us.I part my lips to explain why I’m here, considering it’s more than apparent AJ stole Rory’s phone to text me.But instead of the fury and disappointment I saw in her expression during our last conversation, there’s understanding.Acceptance.
She gives me a small smile, then mouths,I’m sorry.
I nod slightly.Me, too,I mouth back.
I should feel a sense of relief over the fact that Rory has accepted my leaving and moving on.If this happened yesterday, I would have.
But that was before my conversation with my father.
Before he reminded me of all the consequences of my actions.
Before I realized everything Rory and AJ would have to sacrifice for me to be happy.
They’ve already sacrificed so much.
Can I really ask them to sacrifice even more?
ChapterTwenty-Seven
Esme
“They just pulled up, ma’am,”Lieutenant Hawkins announces, peeking his head into a sitting room at the palace where I’ve been waiting for Anderson and Nora to arrive.
I can only imagine the nerves plaguing her today.Yesterday was such a whirlwind that I didn’t have a chance to talk to either of them.Which is why I made sure I got here early so I could see how Nora’s handling all of this before she’s sucked into the three-ring circus.
It doesn’t matter how much Anderson may have warned her about what to expect once she was part of this world.Nothing can adequately prepare someone to be thrust into the spotlight overnight.
It’s what happened to us when our uncle and cousins died.At least we had each other to lean on.
I need to make sure Nora has someone she can lean on, too.
That she still has a sliver of normalcy in a world that will eventually become anything but.
“Thank you, Thomas,” I tell my private secretary as I stand, following him down the corridor, the palace buzzing with more activity than normal.
That’s to be expected on the day the king formally announces the Crown Prince’s engagement.
I make my way down the grand staircase and step into the elaborate foyer as a dark SUV pulls in front of the entrance.When I spy Creed jump out of the driver’s seat, I can’t hide the smile the tugs on my lips, my body tingling with electricity, especially as I think of all the things I experienced mere hours ago when Creed snuck into my apartment.
“Your Highness.”
I snap out of my growing inappropriate thoughts, darting my eyes to my right.Creed’s father approaches and bows toward me, his tall frame imposing.He wears his dress uniform, medals lined across his chest.It’s not his normal attire, but today’s not a normal day.
“Major-General Lawson.”I force a smile, pushing down any unease from being in his presence, considering I was just fantasizing about his son.
If anything, though, my nerves only increase around him, especially when his analytical gaze rakes over me, a combination of disappointment and ambivalence in his stare.
Or maybe it’s merely my guilty conscience rearing its head, making me question if I’m doing the right thing by coming between Creed and his legacy.
Between Creed and his father.
