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Especially Enzo, who took a step toward her and turned his charm up to eleven. “My name is Enzo, and please allow me to say that I’m enamored by your beauty. You, my dear, are the crowning jewel of this palace.” He grabbed her hands, then kissed her on both cheeks. “Please tell me your name so I can write it on my heart.”
Aunt Honey blushed as she soaked up the attention. “Well, aren’t you just as sweet as molasses!” She gave him a playful smile. “I’m Honey Buttermaker from Oklahoma. Hooker, to be exact.”
“Hooker?” Enzo tilted his head to the side, blinking rapidly. “I do not understand.”
Aunt Honey smiled. “It’s a destination, not a vocation.”
Enzo’s eyes went wide. “Ah! Yes!” He nodded enthusiastically. “Much better.”
“Did I hear y’all talking about Atomic Adventures when I came in?” Aunt Honey asked.
“Yes!” Renzo said. “We want to visit this magical kingdom.”
“Me, too!” Aunt Honey said. “We should all go together.”
“A wonderful idea!” Mother said, suddenly perking up. “In fact, I’ll have someone fly you there in the royal helicopter. You can leave immediately. Grace, you should join them. I’ll have someone watch Freddie for you.”
Grace and I both stared at Mother.
The suggestion completely caught us off guard, but her motive was crystal clear. She wanted a temporary reprieve from the charismatic Italian duo, as well as Grace and the Hooker. It would also give her an opportunity to spend more time with the dog she claimed she did not want. Mother’s plan, however, wasn’t about to unfold quite as smoothly as she contrived.
Enzo frowned. “We just arrived, Queen Annabelle. It would not feel right leaving without spending time with family.”
“It is true!” Renzo said. “It would be rude of us to leave you and our cousins.”
Mother’s smile, though insincere, held its charm. “There will be plenty of time for that when you return. Please, go enjoy yourself. And take your time. There is no hurry. In fact, I insist you spend the night in the royal suite at the Atomic Adventures Hotel as our guests. One day is simply not enough time to enjoy everything. Make it two.”
Welcome to the lying club, Mother.
The Tuscany Twins celebrated the impending amusement park adventure, hugging and kissing everyone again, including Mother.
“Fantastico!” Renzo exclaimed. “We will enjoy Atomic Adventures with two of the most beautiful women in the world. This will be a day to remember!” He winked at Grace.
Something about that didn’t sit well with me. Grace was going to spend the night with the testosterone twins? Not on my watch.
“I think I’ll go with you!” I blurted out. “That way, you will at least be with one member of the family while you enjoy the amusement park.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Oliver,” Mother said. “You can’t just go out in public like that. You’ll create a scene.”
“Then I will go incognito,” I defended. “I did it in Los Angeles when I met Grace and not a single person recognized me.”
Mother hesitated, still looking like she did not like the idea. “I thought you had a videoconference with the Prince of Liechtenstein.”
“That was rescheduled,” I lied, making a mental note to tell Dante to reschedule the meeting for later in the week.
Mother eyed me suspiciously. “Very well . . . enjoy yourselves then, but please try to avoid going viral. The last thing we need is a royal scandal.” She turned to leave, then walked out.
Theo followed her, but I reached for his arm and said, “We need to talk. You owe me an explanation. The truth.”
He just nodded, avoiding eye contact as he walked out.
The thought of spending more time with Grace ignited a warmth within me. Yet, beneath the surface, conflicting emotions brewed. Guilt crept in, like a shadow casting doubt on the choices I was making. My feelings were getting stronger for a woman who would most likely hate me for the rest of my life if she found out why I brought her to Verdana.
I don’t want to live a lie, but I also don’t want to hurt her.
“Are you okay?” Grace asked. “You look deep in thought.”
I nodded. “I’m fine. Just thinking of the amusement park.”
