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“Of course I do,” she said. “This too shall pass.”
“I hope you’re right,” I said.
“Just relax and try to enjoy it, okay?” Cristina said. “You deserve to be happy, Grace. And if that includes ogling some royal booty now and then, well, I say go for it. As long as you remember he’s betrothed and not to touch.”
“Seriously?!” I burst into laughter, shaking my head at her ridiculousness. “Okay, I need to run. I just got a text from Oliver to meet him and Veronica downstairs.”
We said our goodbyes, and I descended the spiral staircase to pick up the wedding files from the top of the desk, but they weren’t there.
“That’s so bizarre,” I muttered, scanning the room. “Where the heck did I put them?”
My eyes landed on the sitting area with its embroidered settee and velvet armchairs. I lifted the cushions and peeked behind the curtains. I rifled through the things on top of the desk and inside the drawers. I peered out toward the table on the terrace, even though I was certain I hadn’t taken them out there.
Nothing.
How could the files have just disappeared? My memory doesn’t fail me like that. It was the strangest thing, because I wasn’t drunk either.
Smoothing my dress, I hurried from the room, knowing I would figure out where I had left the files later.
As I approached the grand foyer, I spotted Veronica with her hand on the handle of a suitcase, engaged in conversation with Dante. Oliver stood nearby, looking concerned. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should come back later, but they noticed my presence.
“Ah, Miss Fullerton,” Oliver said. “Please join us.”
“Hi, everyone,” I said, offering a small smile. “Am I interrupting something? I can come back.” My eyes lingered on the suitcase in Veronica’s hand, my curiosity piqued.
Veronica sighed, her elegant posture wilting. “I’m afraid I have some unfortunate news. My mother is unwell back in Kastonia, and I must return home to be with her.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I replied. “I hope she gets better soon.”
“Thank you, Grace,” she said appreciatively. “A couple of things before I go. We’ve received a delivery of lavender candles for the ceremony that are in the storage in the hallway near your room, with some of the other wedding things. Also, I had my tiara professionally cleaned and polished for the wedding. I hate to ask this of you, but would you mind going into town and picking it up? They said they would drop it off later this week, but I’d feel safer if I had it here at the palace. It is very special to me.”
“I’m happy to help in any way I can,” I responded.
“Grace, you really are a lifesaver,” Veronica said. “And while you’re in town, you must stop by the sweets shop and try the Verdana Banana.”
I smiled. “Cute name. What is it, exactly?”
“Frozen banana bites covered in dark chocolate and sea salt,” she said. “They are absolutely divine.”
“It’s our most popular treat on the island,” Oliver chimed in, giving me a grateful smile. “Dante will provide you with the details, and Marco will take you once he’s back from dropping off Veronica at the airport. I’ll be available to meet up with you when you return to go over any other details that need attention.”
“Sounds perfect,” I said, grateful for his help.
After Veronica left, I couldn’t help but bring up the elephant in the room. “Oliver, did you see those photos? I’m so sorry.”
He chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Yes, Grace, I saw them, but please don’t worry about it. The press is always desperate for something, anything to garner people’s attention. They blow things out of proportion because it means more clicks and likes. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last.”
“Great,” I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Just what I needed.”
“Hey now,” Oliver said, his tone light and teasing. “At least it proves you’re human, right?”
My mouth dropped open. “That’s what I was telling my friend Cristina!”
“We’ve all had our moments,” he said.
“You?” I asked, surprised.
“Trust me—you don’t want to know,” he said with a chuckle.
