“No.” A laugh bubbled out of her. “I paint for myself.”
“Of course. But if you’re ever interested in getting an expert’s opinion, I have a friend in San Francisco who runs a gallery. He likes finding new talent. I took some pictures of your work. With your permission I could send him the photos.”
“I’ve never thought...” Ariana shook her head in bemusement. “I guess this is the moment every artist faces at some point. Do I take a chance and risk failing or play it safe and never know if I’m any good.”
“Oh, you’re good,” Brooke assured her. “But art is very subjective and not everyone is going to like what you do.”
“I guess I’ve already faced my worst critics. My family. So why not see what your friend thinks.”
“Wonderful, I’ll send him the pictures tomorrow morning.”
“And in the meantime—” Ariana gestured toward the wardrobe “—show me what you brought from home and let’s see if I have anything that will appeal to you.”
Brooke suspected the stylish princess wouldn’t be at all impressed with the limited contents of her closet, but she knew her fine speech about art being subjective would be hypocritical if she couldn’t back it up with action. For what was fashion but wearable art and even though Brooke’s wardrobe wasn’t suitable for a palace, it worked perfectly in her academic world.
The maids who’d entered behind Ariana deposited their burdens on Brooke’s bed. If the princess had brought anything like what she was wearing—a sophisticated but fun plum dress with gold circles embroidered around the neckline and dotted over the skirt—Brooke braced herself to be wowed.
“It feels like every day is Christmas around here,” Brooke said as dress after gorgeous dress came free of the garment bags. The variety of colors and styles dazzled Brooke. Of course, with her skin tone, Ariana could wear just about anything.
When the maids finished, Brooke pulled out her own dresses, shorts, skirts and her favorite kimono. Ariana narrowed her eyes in thought and surveyed each item.
“You have a great eye for color and know exactly what suits you.”
Coming from the princess, this was a huge compliment. Ariana wasn’t at all what Brooke imagined a princess would be like. She was warm and approachable. Not at all stuffy or formal. Brooke warmed to her quickly, feeling as if they had known each other for years instead of minutes.
“In California I blend in dressed like this.” Brooke slipped into the tie-dyed kimono. It looked odd over the gold lace dress she’d borrowed from Olivia. “Here I stick out like a sore thumb.”
“Hardly a sore thumb, although definitely a standout. No matter how you dress, your unique hair color will keep you from being a wallflower. No wonder my brother finds you irresistible.”
Brooke felt Ariana’s comment like a blow. “We’re just friends,” she explained in a rush, but her cheeks heated as the princess arched one slim eyebrow.
“But he talks about you all the time and he brought you to meet us.”
“It’s not what you’re thinking. I went to the island to convince him to return to California. To Glen and the Griffin project. And when he was summoned back here sooner than expected, he didn’t want to leave me alone in Greece.”
“He must be in love with you. He’s never brought a woman home before.”
Brooke relaxed a little. “That’s because the love of his life wouldn’t fit inside an airplane.” Seeing she had confused Ariana, Brooke explained. “As long as I’ve known him, Nic has been committed to the rocket he and my brother hope will one day carry people into space. There’s been no room for an emotional connection with any woman.”
“And yet here you are.”
“Until a few days ago I didn’t know he was a prince or that he needs to marry a citizen of the country or an aristocrat so his children can rule someday. Obviously I’m neither.”
“He wouldn’t have kept something like that from you unless he was worried about hurting you.”
“That much is true.” Here Brooke hesitated, unsure how much to explain. In the end, she decided to trust Ariana. “I’ve had a crush on him for years. When I showed up on Ithaca, he told me everything. He didn’t want me to hope for a future we could never have together.”
“Did it work? Did you stop hoping?”
“I’d be crazy if I didn’t.”
Like her brothers, Ariana had her father’s warm brown eyes flecked with gold, but she’d inherited the intensity of her gaze from her mother. “But you two have been intimate.”
Hating to lie, Brooke pretended she hadn’t heard the soft question. Instead she chose a dress at random and announced, “I love this.”
Luckily her selection was a flirty emerald-green dress that she could see herself wearing. Brooke held it against her body. As she looked at her reflection, she noticed the dress had no tags, but Brooke doubted it had ever been worn.
“I’ll take your nonanswer as an affirmative.” Ariana’s musical laughter filled the room. “Try on the dress.” While Brooke obeyed her, the princess continued, “I’m sorry if I was blunt and please don’t be embarrassed