The Heir and the Spare (31 page)

“It'll give me a chance to think, maybe help us sort things out.”
Especially after last night.
I shook my head with a shrug. “I'm so in love with him I can barely see straight. I know a label shouldn't matter, but right now it does. What are we?”
Did sleeping together change anything?
If he were asked, would I still be just a friend?

“We've always thought of you as his girlfriend. Does that count?” Suzy wrapped another picture frame in bubble wrap.

I wish it did.

We stood outside a nearby pub. I tucked my brown corduroy jacket around me and flipped my hair over a shoulder, dreading the impending goodbyes. Especially Edmund's. Dinner had been tough. Arriving last and lugging all my travel bags, I'd chosen to sit across from Edmund instead of next to him. I could barely bring myself to look at him. Which he'd definitely picked up on.

“I can't believe you're really leaving.” Suzy, tears running down her cheeks, wrapped me in a hug.

“You'd better come back next year, or I'll be flying to Seattle to drag your arse back.” Caroline threw her arms around Suzy and me, all three of us now in tears. “You better keep in touch.”

“I will, I promise.” I stepped back, glancing at Edmund, who was signing an autograph, not paying attention to us. Just being around him brought back memories and made me nervous.
What does he think of me now?

“Do you want us to take you to the airport?” Caroline continued.

“No, I was just going to grab a cab.”

Suzy smiled. “We're coming with you.”

I shrugged. “Let's move the party to the airport, then.”

Marissa hugged me. “I'm meeting a friend for a last-minute study session. So, I'm gonna say bye.” She gave me a serious look. “I'll see you in the fall.”

“Good luck with your finals.”

She hopped in the cab Caroline hailed for her.

“Hey, Marissa, wait,” Preston called. He stopped and grabbed my hands. “I'd come to the airport, but I've got an early exam.”

“No worries.” I wrapped him in a hug.

“Fly safe and have a fun summer.” He gave me one last tight squeeze and a kiss on the cheek.

“Bye, Preston.” I sniffed, close to tears as he climbed in the cab with Marissa.

“I can't believe you're leaving.” Edmund reached over and brushed my hair behind my ear, making me tremble. “Would you two mind giving us a moment?”

Suzy and Caroline nodded as Edmund and I climbed into his waiting Town Car.

His brows lowered and he grabbed my hands. “What's going on? You've barely looked at me all day.”

I kept my gaze on my lap, nervous. “I woke up this morning and you were gone. I guess I assumed you regretted . . . everything.”

“God, Evie, no.” He squeezed my hands. “Last night was
the
best night of my life. I had a blasted final this morning. Trust me, nothing else could've pulled me from your bed.”

Glancing up at him, I smiled, relief flooding my senses. “Really?”

“Really.” He leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss on my lips. When he pulled back, his face looked confused.

“Wait, didn't you get my note?”

I shook my head. “I didn't see any note.”

“I left it on your desk. On top of the stack of study notes.”

Closing my eyes, I could guess what happened. I'd piled my notes there once I'd finished an exam. I didn't even think to look at them. “Caroline. She must've packed my desk up before I saw it.”

“Ah.” He placed another kiss on my forehead. “Speaking of Caroline, I'd like to know what she meant by you'd better come back?”

I sucked in a deep breath. “You heard that?”

Nodding, he said, “Kind of hard not to.”

Breathing deeply, I looked into his blue eyes, focusing on the copper flecks, and bit my lip. “I might stay in Seattle in the fall. Enroll there again.”

“What?” His face contorted with uncertainty.

“I-I haven't figured it out yet.” I pulled my hands from his and studied my fingernails.

“I didn't realize this was up for negotiation. Were you even going to tell me?”

“I was . . . when I figured it out.”

Edmund grew quiet and looked everywhere but at me. He opened his mouth several times just to close it again.

My vision blurred and I cleared my throat. “I should get to the airport.”

Edmund nodded and reached to open the car door, then stopped. “So, this might be the last time I see you? How can I let you just walk away?”

“Edmund—”

Grabbing me, his mouth covered mine as his arms tightly pressed me against his chest. I gripped his shirt, a shiver coursing its way through me, settling low in my tummy.
Yes, this is what I want. What I need.

My mouth willingly opened to him. One of his hands snaked up to coil in my long hair. The other splayed over my back. My arms curled around his neck as a moan escaped my throat.

“Evie,” he whispered against my lips. “Please don't go.” His mouth pressed against mine, stopping any reply.

If he continued kissing me like this, he could make me do anything.

“Ahem, sorry to interrupt, but we should probably get going.” Suzy leaned into the car. I'd been so absorbed I hadn't heard the door open.

I pulled back, my brain clouded, and my heart completely torn in two.

“I'll be right there,” I answered breathily.

Edmund looked gutted. “You really won't stay?”

“I can't,” I whispered. “I need to be home, need to see my dad. And I never said I definitely wasn't coming back.” I tried to smile, but knew it was shaky at best.

Suzy backed out of the car as Edmund clasped my upper arms. “Please?”

“Edmund, I can't.” A tear trickled down my cheek and I felt my throat constrict. “I'll keep in touch, I promise.”

I flew out of the car with a sob and dragged Suzy behind me. I had to get out of there, away from the pain in Edmund's eyes.

Random snorts and snores from passengers disturbed the peaceful silence of the darkened plane. We were supposed to be sleeping. Pushing on my overhead light, I rummaged through my bag, looking for gum. My fingers collided with Mom's letters. I pulled them out and set them on my lap, smiling. A familiar pang of loneliness twisted in my chest.

Untying the ribbon, I realized the final quest letter sat atop the stack.

I never read it.

I picked it up and slid my finger under the flap. Two folded pages slid out, one with my name on the front, the other with Dad's.

Folding the letter, I smiled and wiped a tear off my cheek. I was the duchess she wanted to be.
For her,
that's why I ultimately took the title.
I'm glad I did.
It connected us.

The man in the seat beside me mumbled in his sleep. I glanced at him, tied up my letters, and slipped them back in my bag. Hitting the light, I was ensconced in darkness once more.

Leaning my head against my seat, I looked out the window. Moonlight illuminated the fluffy clouds. It may sound silly, but being up here, I imagined myself physically closer to her.

“I'll make you proud, Mom,” I whispered. Kissing the pad of my thumb, I pressed it to the window. “Love you.”

After two layovers and nearly nineteen hours traveling, I was home. I rushed through Sea-Tac Airport, eager to see Dad. Weaving through the other travelers, a pang of sadness hit me. I missed Oxford. I missed my friends. I missed my whole life there.

Edmund's face as he asked me to stay flashed before my eyes. My heart shattered, remembering what I'd done. I freaking ran from him.
What the hell is wrong with me?

Slowing my pace, I tried to push Edmund from my mind. It was no use. Our night together kept tripping through and throwing me off balance. I stopped and leaned against a wall, taking a deep breath.

I'm back in the States, I'm home, I'm supposed to be happy, dammit.

I shook my head, inhaling deeply. Dad's first glimpse of me shouldn't be a teary-eyed, miserable Evie.

Pulling myself together, I made it through customs and in the distance spied the baggage claim. Dad was there, his back toward me, still wearing his suit from work. I walked faster, feeling brittle, as if I could break down at any moment.

He turned to scan the crowd and saw me. His face cracked into a smile and he headed for me.

“Dad.” I ran and dropped my carry-on bags before I threw myself into his arms, squeezing my eyes shut.

“Evie, my girl.” He chuckled and wrapped me in a hug, spinning me around. “Let me look at you.” He held me at arm's length. “I'm so glad you're home. How were your flights?”

“Long. The last one was the worst; small plane, lots of turbulence.” I shuddered. “I can't believe how much I missed you.”

“I've missed you too.” He ruffled my hair.

I blew out a long, tired breath. “Let's go home; I'm exhausted.” I started for the baggage carousel, but Dad grabbed my hand and stopped me.

“Not quite. There's something I should tell you.”

On the verge of tears, I was surprised Dad hadn't asked what's wrong. I looked exactly like I felt. Like crap.

Sighing, I asked, “Do we have to talk here? Can't we do this at home? I need to get out of this airport.” I felt myself choke up. Could even hear it in my voice.

He shook his head, his eyes soft as he took in my fragile state. “No, we should deal with it now.”

“Fine, lay it on me.” I shook my head and slapped a smile on while attempting to blink back my tears.

Dad stepped to the side.

In a rush, the air was sucked from my lungs.

Edmund.

It was him. He was here. Standing in my Seattle.

“You aren't the only one who flew in today,” Dad said quietly.

I walked over to Edmund, my heart slamming in my chest, my vision blurring as a tear trickled onto my cheek. “What are you doing here?”

Reaching up, Edmund wiped the tear away. “I wasn't about to let you walk out of my life not knowing if I'd ever see you again.” He grabbed my hands and pressed his lips to the backs of them. His thumbs made circles where he'd just kissed, as if rubbing them in. “You
must
know.” His eyes searched my face. “You really don't see it, do you? Evie, you make me happier than I have ever been. I love you. I want
you.
God! I'm so blasted in love with you.”

I sucked in a sharp breath.
He loves me.

Throwing myself into his arms, he pressed a kiss on my cheek, then slid his mouth to mine. On contact, I melted into him.

Right here, this is where I'm meant to be.

He held tight to me, as if afraid he might lose me. When he pulled back I looked into his eyes and whispered, “I love you too.”

His smile took my breath away.

A year ago if you'd told me I'd fall in love with a prince and that he'd love me, I'd have called you crazy. Or that I'd be a duchess? Positively mental.

But somehow, here I am, living my very own fairytale and about to embark on a happily ever after with my prince charming.

But this isn't an ending. Oh no, it's just the beginning.

Mom was right, the world is full of infinite possibilities.

I'm living proof,
anything is possible
.

Before I knew it, Edmund and I were back in England. Our summer in Seattle had swept past in a blur of sunset walks, exploring museums, watching movies while cuddling on the couch, and nights in Edmund's suite.

Glancing around my dorm room, I smiled.
This is definitely where I belong.

It'd come as a bit of a shock to discover the life I'd left behind in Seattle didn't exist anymore. Dad had Clara, and Abby was so busy with school, work, and her new boyfriend that I barely saw her over summer break.