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Theodore craned his neck in my direction, blinking rapidly. “Pardon me?”
How had I not noticed this before?
His grumpy behavior appeared to have nothing to do with being second in line to the throne, but with the fact that Oliver was going to marry the woman he loved. Now it all made sense!
“You love her,” I whispered. “Princess Veronica . . .”
A few seconds later, he nodded, then watched Veronica dip into the water. “Not that I can do anything about it. Even now, with the wedding called off, I am far too young for her, plus her parents would never approve. Besides, I am not the only one in love with her.”
What was he talking about?
I followed his gaze toward the far end of the pool.
Prince Augustus stood there.
And he was eyeing Veronica in the water.
Wait, both brothers were in love with Veronica? But then Oliver had been the chosen one to marry her? Had August returned because he knew Veronica was single and available again?
Talk about a soap opera . . .
Still dressed in his leather motorcycle pants and black T-shirt, August walked toward Adriana and gave her a warm embrace.
“I’m happy you’re back, big brother,” she said with a big smile. “I missed you.”
“Cousin August!” Renzo called out. “Good to see you!”
“Come join us,” Enzo said.
One person did not look as eager to see August.
Princess Veronica.
She glared at him, then ducked her head under water in the pool, and began swimming laps. What was going on there? More drama, I could only imagine.
The employee returned with a tray of margaritas, placing them on the tables in between the lounge chairs. The camouflaged speakers around the perimeter suddenly played upbeat European dance music.
“This place certainly got lively in a hurry,” Oliver said as he returned with the phone in his hand. “You’ll be happy to know that I posted the video.” He scrolled on his phone, and turned the screen, in order for me to see it.
“Uh-huh . . . and how do I know that’s really live on social media?” I asked.
“Check on your phone or just give it a little time,” Oliver said. “When you hear Mother screaming my name at the top of her lungs, then you’ll know we have another viral video among us.” He chuckled.
“Well, get ready for the world to fall head over heels for you after they get a glimpse of this,” I teased with a playful grin. “This will humanize you and make you even more likable.”
Oliver folded his arms, feigning offense. “Hold on, I thought I was already Mr. Likable.”
I leaned in, pretending to scrutinize him. “Not bad at all.”
Just then, August strolled over and enveloped Theodore and Oliver in a hug. It seemed like the trio had a solid camaraderie going on.
Oliver quirked an eyebrow at August. “What brings you back? I thought you were busy riding across South America.”
August nodded with a triumphant grin. “I finished that amazing journey last week. Eight thousand miles. I had been visiting a friend in Cypress the last few days and came back since Mother called me yesterday and told me she was going to honor Father with a special dinner this evening. Either way, I had to return, since I would not miss the impending wedding festivities.”
“I guess you haven’t heard,” Oliver said. “The wedding has been called off.”
August, slightly taken aback, turned to look at Veronica in the water before facing Oliver again. “I had no idea.”
