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Something about this situation felt off.
It seemed too good to be true.
And that was exactly what scared me the most.
Chapter Three
PRINCE OLIVER
I followed Dante through the side door of Fixins Soul Kitchen in Los Angeles, keeping my head down low beneath the brim of my baseball cap to avoid detection.
So far, so good.
No one seemed to pay attention to me.
Maybe Dante was right about the new outfit helping me fit in. He had stopped by a popular American store called T.J. Maxx earlier in the day. He’d picked up everything I needed to go incognito and transform myself into a common tourist for my clandestine meeting with Grace.
My new wardrobe consisted of:
1) Hawaiian board shorts.
2) Flip flops.
3) A blue Santa Monica T-shirt.
4) A pair of dark sunglasses.
5) An “I Love LA” baseball cap.
I felt ridiculous.
Be that as it may, the last thing I wanted was to be spotted by the paparazzi, since not a single soul knew I had left Verdana. Maybe we were being overly cautious, but better safe than sorry.
We had arrived fifteen minutes early to the restaurant. Luckily, I was able to secure a table tucked behind a wooden partition that shielded me from many of the patrons.
Dante sat facing me at the table directly next to mine—to be on alert for any suspicious-looking people or activity, although he seemed to be obsessed with giving me worrisome looks over the top of his menu. He wanted to say something but had been biting his tongue.
“What is it?” I asked. “There’s something on your mind.”
Dante leaned closer. “I’m feeling a tad paranoid, if I’m being honest, Your Highness. This plan could have dire consequences and seriously backfire on you.”
I winced and looked around, then whispered, “Please refrain from addressing me in that manner inside the restaurant. And regarding my pending marital-status change, it’s not like I have any other options.”
Dante nodded. “True, but the queen?—”
“Relax,” I said. “Everything will work out to perfection.”
“I want nothing more,” he said. “But I would advise to remove your sunglasses indoors. I do feel you will attract more attention with them on.”
He was right.
I slid my sunglasses to the back of my head, then glanced around the bustling restaurant, taking comfort in the cheerful chatter and the mouthwatering aroma of fried chicken wafting through the air. What a delightful location to dine while remaining incognito among the urban populace.
A middle-aged server happily sauntered over with an electronic tablet in hand, flashing me a brilliant smile. She wore a black T-shirt with FIXINS splashed across her chest in large letters.
“Welcome to Fixins,” she said. “I’m Sadie. How are you doin’, sweetie?”
Dante cranked his head in my direction with surprise, clearly not expecting such a casual greeting from someone who had never made my acquaintance.
