The Heir and the Spare (13 page)

Shit. How do I answer that?
The fact that he knew what Edmund felt for me was spinning in my lubricated brain. I held my jacket closed with a gloved hand, the night air misty and chilly against my skin.

Closing my eyes, I answered truthfully. “I'm confused. I want to stop liking him, to stop caring. But I can't. I
should
move on, right?” I didn't wait for an answer. “I just haven't figured out how.”

“I was hoping you might be done. But I understand, it's not quite that simple, is it?” He smiled when I shook my head. “If you ever need anything, I'm here, whenever and whatever you decide.” He reached over and grabbed my free hand.

His was warm and comforting, but that pulse of energy that surged through me whenever Edmund and I touched just wasn't there. “Thanks, Preston.” I looked down the dark path at the dots of illumination. It'd be so much easier if I could think of him
that
way. Yet all through dinner I'd been wondering what Jax and Edmund were doing.

“Just do me a favor?”

“What's that?” I looked up at him.

“When you're figuring things out, consider giving me a chance.”

A sad smile touched my lips. “I will.”

“We should probably get back. I'm sure you have as much homework as I do, if not more.”

Inside the dorms, Preston walked me to my door and kissed my cheek. Although, if I hadn't turned my head, his original target just might've been my lips.

With a twinkle in his eye and a dashing wink, he said, “Night, Evie.”

“Night.”

As soon as I pulled my key out to unlock the door, Caroline was in the hall, questioning me.

“So it's Preston now?" She asked with a cheeky grin. “I guess I can see it, after his Halloween rescue of you and all?”

“Good evening, Caroline, how was your day? Mine was a little odd.” I turned to face her so she wasn't breathing down my neck.

“Blah, blah, blah.” She lifted a hand, making it talk, her black bob bouncing. “Enough with the chitchat. Spill the beans. You and Preston? He's a hell of a kisser, did you notice?”

A startled laugh escaped me. “Really? You and Preston?”

“It was once after a party.” She waved it off.

“No, I haven't kissed him. He's interested in being more than friends, but I'm not ready.”

“Edmund is going to hate this.”

I scrunched my nose. “Well, that's his problem, isn't it?”

“I suppose so.” She looked unsure.

“What? Do you know something else I don't?”

“Not really.” Caroline shrugged. “You know his parents have always put a lot of pressure on him to be with Jax. One day he'll realize he doesn't have to sacrifice his own happiness for the status of his family. I just hope he's not too late when he figures it out.”

I rubbed my eyes, feeling the tears well up again. “I know I'm not Jax and therefore not good enough for him. It was ridiculous to think I ever had a chance. I so need a break.” I closed my door as a tear slipped down my cheek.

You survived and you didn't fail any classes.
I took a deep breath and grinned as I sat on a metal bench, waiting in the baggage claim of Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Paris.
Dad's flight would be here soon and I couldn't wait to see him. This was the perfect thing to take my mind off Edmund and my quest letters.

Edmund. I wonder where he's at?

I'd been in a funk ever since my dinner with Preston. Edmund and I'd started our study sessions right after, which only made it worse.

Caroline had once told me that Edmund allowing himself to be alone with me was significant. That it made me different and special.

Well, things change.
I'm no longer special.

I thought back to the first study session, how I'd been hoping to talk, just the two of us. When I arrived at the library, I spotted Edmund, and right next to him was Preston, waving.

“Hey there.” Preston had grinned impishly.

“Hey, boys.” I sat across from Edmund and pulled my makeshift flash cards from my bag, wondering how long Preston would be staying.

“You're probably curious why I'm here,” Preston announced with a cheesy grin. “I begged Edmund to let me join you guys.” He placed his hand over his heart. “My day just wouldn't have been complete without sitting here, listening to you guys talk about boring dead guys and their art.” He gave me a teasing wink.

“Subtle, Preston, real subtle.” Edmund sniffed and looked at his book. “I thought you might be more comfortable if someone was with us.”

Nope, comfortable wasn't the emotion coursing through me. More like fury.

“I'd be more comfortable, or
you'd
be more comfortable?” I'd shivered when our eyes met. Angry or not, he still affected me. “I wasn't worried about being alone with you, Edmund. I can control myself.”

“That's not what I meant. I thought we'd both be more comfortable.” He didn't smile. A dull sheen had replaced the usual sparkle in his eyes. He looked wretched.

“Whatever, let's just study—it's what we're here for.”

I snapped out of my memory as a large group of people scuttled into the baggage claim. The area swelled with conversations and people rushing to greet loved ones. I looked around, but Dad wasn't with them. Leaning back, I blew out a soft breath.

What's Edmund doing for Christmas?
I shook my head, not wanting to think of him. I was still ticked. I thought we'd settled on being friends.
What kind of friends need chaperoning?
Did he really think I'd throw myself at him? Who did he think he was?
Wait, right. A prince.
Most girls probably couldn't control themselves around him.

While Edmund and I quizzed each other, Preston doodled in a notebook and hummed Justin Timberlake's “Sexy Back.” I think he was trying to annoy Edmund. At first it was funny. After an hour, it was grating.

When Preston broke into the chorus of a Katy Perry song, I was over it.

“Preston!” Edmund said loudly.

“Ssssh,” came from the surrounding tables.

Lowering his voice, Edmund continued, “Preston, I think we're good. You can go.”

“Aw, and just when it was getting interesting.” Preston packed up his backpack. “Took you long enough to get annoyed.”

I smiled at Preston as I binder-clipped my note cards and tossed them in my bag. “I should go, too. I've got another study group to get to. Walk me back to the dorms?”

“Of course.” Preston stood and waited for me. “You coming, Edmund?”

“No, I've got some things to finish up. I'll see you guys later.”

“See you at dinner then.” Slinging my bag on my shoulder, I waved.

Edmund watched us leave, looking troubled.

Through our tense study sessions, one thing remained the same. We were never alone.

I sat up straight and pulled my minty lip gloss from my pocket. As I put it on, I looked around again. A frazzled mom with three kids rushed past me. I smiled at her and scanned the crowd for Dad.

Reaching into my bag, I pulled out Mom's letters. Being here reminded me of her. She'd collected replicas of the Eiffel Tower. I'd brought my favorite one with Swarovski crystals to Oxford with me.

“Evie!”

My head snapped up. Dad rushed toward me through the crowd. I stuffed my letters in my bag and ran for him. Stopping, he dropped his carry-on and opened his arms, preparing for impact. We collided in a bear hug.

“Oh, my Evie girl,” he said, breathless from running.

I hugged him tight. “I missed you so much.”

“Let me get a look at you.” He held me at arm's length. “How I've missed you.” He wrapped me in another hug.

“How was your flight?” I squeezed him.

“Long, but worth it.” He released me and draped an arm around my shoulder. “You look fantastic. I think England must agree with you.” He chuckled. “There isn't another reason is there? Say a certain boy?”

“No, no guy, just enjoying England.”

“Really? I would've thought you'd have caught the eye of someone special over here. At least that's what the tabloids are saying.”

“Too busy with school, I suppose.” Dwelling on my shitastic love life was not how I wanted to spend my holiday. “Wait a minute, tabloids?”

Dad nodded. “Your face has been on the cover of a few magazines, claiming a certain prince is falling in love with an American girl.”

My mouth popped open. “Really? I know I've been on the covers over here, but that comes with being Edmund's friend. But back home?”

Dad nodded.

“That's crazy.” I rolled my bag to the carousel, watching for Dad's.

“Well, I'm glad to hear you're so focused on your studies. If your mother were here, she'd tell you to enjoy this time, to have fun, and to leave some room for a love life.”

Mom fell in love at university. Of course she'd want the same for me. It'd never happen if I couldn't get over this unhealthy crush of mine.

I sighed and smiled. “If only I could find a guy willing to fight for me, then I'd be set.” That's what it ultimately boiled down to. I wasn't enough. Edmund would never challenge his family for me.

“Sounds like there's a story there.” Dad said as he grabbed his suitcase. I knew my next birthday letter was tucked inside it somewhere. My fingers itched to hold it. The next quest letter, on the other hand, was an entirely different matter. I'd yet to pick it up from Anton.

“Probably, but it's one I'd rather not get into. You ready to go to the hotel?” I asked.

“You bet.”

A short ride later, we stood before the Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel.

The exterior was a striking black and white. Sleek black pots with well-tended boxwood bushes flanked the door and ran along the sidewalk under the windows. I smiled at its welcoming easiness.
I can't believe I'm here.

After checking in, we went to dinner at a small cafe nearby. Miniature Christmas trees twined with glittering fairy lights decorated the window boxes. It was perfect.

I smiled at Dad as we nibbled on warm sandwiches made with fresh crusty bread and shared a small carafe of wine.

“I'm exhausted. I'm too old to go this long without sleep.” Dad yawned and stretched.

“Did you sleep at all on the plane?”

He shook his head. He was like me, neither of us could sleep in-flight.

“Let's go back to the hotel and get you into bed.” I patted his hand, so happy to have him here.

My thoughts were turbulent that night as I curled in bed. Edmund, my grades, the gang, Edmund, my birthday, Edmund, my next letter, Christmas, possibly being related to a duchess, and of course . . . Edmund.

I'd gone to Paris, yet I couldn't escape my stress.

Dad and I spent the next couple days museum hopping. The Louvre with its Nike of Samothrace was my highlight. Up close, the sculpture was breathtaking. All the slides and pictures I'd seen hadn't done her justice. She looked like the artist had captured in marble a real woman underneath a flimsy sheath of fabric. It was mind-bogglingly beautiful.

Sadly, not even Nike could distract me from Edmund. As I stood in front of her, I wished he were there, beside me.

The morning of my birthday, the sky was a bright blue. Dad took me for a chilly walk along the Seine. We passed bridge after bridge, talking and catching up.

“So, should we go to the Eiffel Tower to celebrate?” Dad asked.

I nodded as my phone rang. A glance at the caller ID made my heart race. “Oh, my God.”

Edmund.
My breathing quickened.
Why am I so nervous
?

I looked at Dad, and he smiled at me with a curious expression. “You okay?”

“Um, I need to take this. I'll be right back.” I walked a little ways away as Dad leaned on the rock-and-cement wall. He didn't need to see what a lovesick idiot I was. “Hello?”

“Evie, hi! Happy birthday!”

The sound of his low voice sent a shiver through me. A familiar warmth enveloped me despite the chilly weather. “Thanks,” I managed to say. “Um, how did you know it was my birthday?”

“Caroline told me. She said you mentioned it before you left. Told me you were excited to see your dad for your birthday.”

“Ah, I see.” I smiled.

“Did your dad make it to England safely?”

“Yeah, he's here, but we're not in England. I met him in Paris and we're celebrating my birthday and Christmas here.”

“Wait, you're in Paris?” he asked with an incredulous laugh.

“Yeah?” I answered, no clue why this news was such a shock. “Why?”

“I'm here, too. My parents decided last minute, well last minute to me, to celebrate Christmas in Paris. Mum's sister lives here now.”

“Well, wow!” My brain scrambled for something to say. “What a small world. Is your whole family here?” I kicked at the frost-covered grass. What were the odds we'd both end up in Paris for the holiday?

“They are. Well, Philip and Lauren are coming in today. Where are you staying?”

“Um, the Renaissance Paris Vendome.” I pushed my sunglasses up my nose.

“Lovely, that's close to the Ritz, where I'm at. Since we're both here, we should get together.”

“That'd be fun.” I glanced at Dad. Still leaning against the wall, he watched me.

“What are you doing tonight? I'd love to give you your birthday present.”

“You got me a present?” My voice rose an octave in shock.
Ah! What is he doing?

“I did. I saw it and thought of you.”

“I don't know what to say.”

“Well, tell me I can take you to dinner tonight. That'd be a good start.”

I hesitated. “Um, my dad's taking me to dinner.”

“You could invite me to tag along, if that'd be okay.”