“I called there.” Her eyes go wide. “A few days later, after the funeral, I was lying in bed and missing you. I looked up the number and called, but the man told me you didn’t work there and he refused to give me any information.”
“They won’t give out any information over the phone. Some guys get…attached.” Her cheeks turn a light shade of pink.
“I was attached.”
“I was too.” The pink of her cheeks deepens.
“We have a daughter…”
“She’s amazing,” she gushes, her entire face lighting up. “She’s so smart and sweet. She’s obsessed with castles.” She laughs, glancing around at the irony. “We’ve visited so many over the years. I can’t believe here, of all places, is where we found you.”
“Were you looking for me?” I was upset at first that she didn’t tell me, but again, I wasn’t thinking straight. She would’ve had no way to find me, and it’s my fault. I didn’t give her my full name or phone number. I didn’t even tell her where I live. Because I had no intention of ever seeing her again. Until I did, and it was too late.
“I didn’t think I would ever find you,” she says with a slight frown. “But you said you live in a small country in Central Europe, so whenever we’re walking down the streets or are on the tube, I always look around, just in case.” She laughs. “Which is now kind of funny because you’re the king, so I doubt you’ve ever just walked the streets or used public transportation.”
She’s not wrong. Unless it was at an event, we never would’ve crossed paths. “Do you live here?”
“No, we’re traveling.” She beams. “After you left, I took your advice and took off. I quit my job and packed a single suitcase and started traveling.” Her grin widens. “I started in Greece and was working my way through Europe when I found out I was pregnant.” Her hand absently goes to her belly. “My friends, Aria and Giovanni, live in Florence, so I stopped there to confirm it. I was so scared…”
She swallows thickly, and I find myself taking her hands in mine. Her skin is still so soft. “I didn’t have anyone, so I placed roots in Florence near them. I bought a small flat and continued to travel until Jasmine was born. Once she turned a year old and could walk, I started traveling again with her.”
“Do you have a blog?” I remember her telling me about wanting to start one.
“I do.” She pulls out her phone and types something, then hands it to me. I scroll through picture after picture, post after post about her travels. In every photo is our daughter. The Windsor Castle in England, the Carreg Cennen Castle in Wales. They’ve been to the Predjama Castle in Slovenia. The photos continue on and my heart swells with pride at the life she’s created for her and our daughter.
“This was our last stop,” she says. “Jasmine starts school in the fall.”
Her last stop…because she’s not staying.
“You can’t go,” I blurt out. “Please.”
Her brows go up, so I explain. “I need to get to know our daughter and I can’t do that if you’re in Italy.” I edge closer, my hands landing on her hips. “And I’d really, really like to get to know you again.”
She nibbles on the corner of her lip and a horrible thought occurs. “Is there a man…?”
“No,” she says. “It’s only Jasmine and me.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if she had told me there was a guy in her and our daughter’s life, but I’m glad I don’t have to find out.
“Then stay, please,” I practically beg. “We have so much catching up to do. You can stay here.” I wave my hand in the air. “There are more than enough rooms.” You can even share mine if you want, I think but don’t voice, not wanting to appear too pushy and maybe a tad creepy.
Her eyes rake over the room and I wait with bated breath for her to say something. I imagine she’s overwhelmed by the luxury of the place, but in my defense, this place is centuries old. Every royal family has lived here. It’s not my choice.
“She starts school in four weeks,” she finally says. “Are you sure it’s okay for us to stay here? We’re staying at The Lexenburg Inn. I’m sure we can extend our stay…”
“Nonsense,” I tell her, refusing to let them out of my sight. “I insist. It’s hard for me to travel out, so you guys staying here would work out better.” And hopefully before it’s time for them to leave, I can convince them to stay.
“Okay,” she agrees. “So, how do you want to do this?”
“Do what?”