ANDI was in the kitchen waiting for Pippa to return from errands, snacking on chips she’d found in the cabinet. The plan was for the two of them to eat out somewhere and catch up on what had transpired over the past few days. Minus the intimate details. She clicked on the television and leaned against the counter to watch. After the usual grim stories were presented, the broadcaster cut to a commercial break with a tease for an upcoming story about the mystery woman who was falling for Prince Zander. A photograph of the two of them kissing after the skydiving trip was emblazoned on the screen. Andi choked on a chip and had to grab a bottle of water from the fridge to clear her throat.
“What the hell?” she said aloud as the story came back on.
“Witnesses said the prince swooped down and kissed the woman with passion in front of onlookers,” the announcer said.
“Onlookers? There weren’t onlookers,” she said. Were there?
Her mind raced to think back to that moment, but honestly, all that surfaced in her memory was the adrenaline high from the parachute jump and the even higher high from Zander’s kiss. She hadn’t a clue if anyone had been around and snapped off a picture. But why would someone take a picture of her?
And then it dawned on her. This was what happened with those affiliated with the royal family. Their lives became fodder for tabloids and the jump story on the news, and people rarely fared well in the public spotlight like that. Particularly girlfriends of famous people.
Oh, this was so not good.
Andi brooded for a while, trying to figure out a plan of action. The good news was no one knew who she was, so this was completely manageable. As long as she remained anonymous, it was all good. Though how long could that be sustained? Especially with a royal wedding on the horizon. If she really showed up as his date, the tabloids would go apeshit over her.
She drummed her fingers on the kitchen counter, paced a bit, then chewed her nails, and finally she heard Pippa arrive back.
“Let’s go, lady. Car’s still humming in the driveway, we’ve got reservations for half past, I got us a table overlooking the ocean, and it’s a perfect night.”
But Andi’s face said something completely different.
“What?” Pippa asked. “Why the long look? You’ve got Prince Charming wooing you, a dress made for a modern-day princess, that postcoital glow that makes you look even more beautiful than you already did, and me as a friend. What else could you want?”
“We made the tabloids,” Andi said in a monotone voice.
“We?”
“Me and Z.”
“Oh dear.”
“You can say that again.”
“Details?”
“I’m the mystery woman who’s falling for the prince,” she said, making air quotes around the word “falling.”
“Oh, they always come up with those clever metaphors and similes. It’s why tabloid journalism is the domain of complete sad sacks. Where’d you hear about this?”
“Just now on the news. There’s even a picture of Zander and me kissing after we went skydiving.”
Pippa grimaced. “But they don’t know who you are, do they?”
“Not yet,” Andi said. “Though surely that’s only a matter of time.”
“Don’t be so certain. Stranger things have happened. After all, this is a small country. We protect our own here.”
“Yeah, it’s a small country. All the easier to find someone if you want to.”
“True dat.”
Andi sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Let’s not make a big production out of it. Let’s go have some dinner and talk about everything, okay?”
Andi nodded. “Fine.”
~*~
They went to a charming cliffside café not far from Pippa’s place. As seemed to be everywhere in Monaforte, the outdoor patio was decorated with gorgeous flowers—hanging baskets and climbing vines with brilliant purple, pink, blue, and yellow flowers were everywhere.
After they ordered wine and two antipasti plates, they got down to business.
“So let’s focus on the good things,” Pippa said. “Like how was the trip? Was it fabulous? Did Zander dote on you and take the best care of you? I warned him to, you know.”
Andi sighed. “Yes, of course, he was amazing. Absolutely beyond my imagination. I spent the entire time on cloud nine.”
“That’s a good boy, Zander,” Pippa said jokingly. “I knew he’d come through.”
“And then some. And of course he bought me that one-of-a-kind evening gown he said he wanted me to wear at his brother’s wedding. But I don’t even know his brother, and I’ve never met his family. How weird would that be for me to show up at such a huge celebration?”
“Let’s not overthink anything. Take the man at his word. He cares enough for you that he wants you to accompany him to an important family event. That’s fantastic. Let’s leave it at that.”
The waiter delivered their antipasti platter, and the two women gorged on local cheeses, salamis, and cured meats until they could eat no more.
“Like I said, all that matters is you like him. He likes you. The sex is amazing. And it’s all good. Right?”
Andi smiled. “Yes, I suppose you’re right on all counts.”
“Great. Let’s get out of here then, and maybe you can even have time to talk with Zander tonight before going to bed.”
Just as they stood to go, a photographer jumped in front of them and snapped off a handful of pictures.
Blinded by the flashing light, Andi had no idea what was going on.
“Thanks, Miss McDonough.”
McDonough? How on earth could this person care about who she was, or know it, for that matter?
“Oh, my God. He knows I’m the one.”