There was one lucky bride waiting for her prince. Victoria would be lying if she didn’t admit, even if only to herself, that at one time she’d envisioned herself as the one who would finally tame the great Prince Alexander, but his friendship had been invaluable and something she’d feared risking.
Strong arms that she had missed for the past few years pulled her into a warm, inviting embrace. Yes, this was the connection, the bond that phone calls and emails couldn’t deliver.
“Prince Alexander,” she said, returning his embrace.
“Don’t ‘Prince Alexander’ me.” His rich laughter enveloped her, making her feel even more excited to see him after so long. “And for God’s sake, don’t bow. Just because we haven’t seen each other in a while doesn’t mean I’ve become some royal snob.”
“It’s so great to see you, Stefan.” She eased back and looked up into those striking blue eyes. “When you called to tell me you were getting married, I was shocked. She must be someone very special.”
“The most important woman in my life,” he said, lifting one of her hands to his lips.
Prince Charming had nothing on Stefan, and a slight surge of jealousy speared through Victoria at the fact another woman would be entering his life...and not just passing through like all the others.
He gestured toward the settee and matching chairs with bright orange plush cushions. “Let’s have a seat and discuss my beautiful bride, shall we?”
Stefan dismissed his assistants with a silent nod. A man of his position and power didn’t need to use words, but to Victoria he was still that rotten teen who’d tried to get her to go skinny-dipping in the royal pool...while a dinner party had been taking place in the grand ballroom.
“I’ve brought sketches of several dresses for you and your fiancée to review,” she told him, laying her thin portfolio of designs on the tile tabletop and flipping it open. “I can also combine styles or come up with something completely different if nothing here catches her eye. They are all classic designs but different in their own way. Any would be flattering for the next queen.”
“I’ve no doubt you’ll make the perfect dress.” He laid a hand over hers, a wide grin spreading across his devilishly handsome face. “It’s so great to have you here, Victoria. I’ve missed you.”
She returned his smile, unable to hide her excitement about not only seeing him again, but also the fact he’d finally found true love...something she’d started to have doubts about. And yes, she’d once wished his true love had been her, but their friendship was more important. As his best friend, she was thrilled that he was so happy and in love. She needed that reminder that not all men broke their promises of engagement.
“It’s my pleasure to design for you, and it gives us both a reason to set aside our busy lives and get some face time,” she told him, sliding her hair over her shoulder. “Phone calls just aren’t the same.”
“No, they’re not,” he agreed.
That sexy, sultry smile remained. Heavens, but the man was literally a tall, dark and handsome prince, and that cotton shirt stretched so perfectly over his broad shoulders and chiseled biceps. She wondered what the new tattoo was of, but if she knew Stefan, he’d find a reason to shed his shirt in no time.
Yeah, he’d changed over the years, and definitely in all the right places. Rock climbing does a body good.
“These are remarkable,” he told her as he fingered through the drawings. “Did you do these yourself or do you have a team?”
A burst of pride ran through her. She may be one of the most sought-out designers, but each client earned her undivided attention and she loved hearing praise for her hard work...especially coming from such a good friend.
“I have a small team, but these are all my own. I was selfish when it came to your bride.” She moved one thick sheet to the side, eager to display the rest of her designs. “I’m partial to this one. The clean lines, the cut of the neckline and the molding of the bodice. Classy, yet sexy.”
Very similar to the one she’d designed for own wedding. Of course that had been six months, a slew of bad press and one shattered heartache ago when her up-and-coming actor/fiancé decided to publicly destroy Victoria. But working with Stefan and his fiancée would help her to remember that happily ever afters do exist.
When she’d met him as a teen on the set of one of her mother’s films, she’d developed an instant crush. He’d been a very mature eighteen years old, compared to her fifteen, with golden skin and a smile she’d come to appreciate that held just a touch of cockiness.