“If I see Prince Gus at his brother’s wedding, I’m going to pounce.”
Daffy sat up and squinted through the sunlight at Leslie Ann. “You will not. Leave him alone. He’s been through enough.”
“Leave him alone? Are you kidding me? He’s the story everyone wants—if he even shows up for his brother’s wedding. Which would be a whole other scandal. But we need to know, Daff. Why did the American heiress abandon him at the altar? No one knows. Not really. She gave some flimsy interview with Good Morning New York. They let her off easy.”
“Focus on Prince John and Lady Holland, Les.” Daffy dug through her Melbourne Beach tote she bought at a souvenir shop they’d passed in the airport. “Or the queen. Her silver jubilee is coming up. Do a retrospective on her life.” Daffy set the bag and her towel aside. “I’m going inside for my sunglasses. Anyone want anything?”
“Grapes.” Ella.
“Crisps.” This from Leslie Ann. “And water.”
Grapes, crisps, and water. Daffy started for the cottage’s deck. “Ella, put on sunscreen. Your white legs are starting to beam.”
“Thanks, Mum, but I’m fine.”
Daffy approached the back of the blue cottage which was pinned between the beach and highway A1A.
All this talk of Prince Gus raised old thoughts, old feelings, distant dreams. She absolutely had wanted to marry the prince when she was a girl. Because of their friendship, she believed she would one day.
But not all dreams come true. They weren’t supposed to, she’d decided. Besides, she had an amazing life. A new downtown Port Fressa flat. An advanced university degree. A good position with the Royal Trust, which was a dream opportunity. A handsome, marriageable boyfriend. Yes, she’d done well for herself.
Still… Was this it? Was this all she’d hoped for her life? Was this how she’d make her little mark in this world?
When she asked these questions, he definitely came to mind, but seriously, Prince Gus was way out of her league and had been out of her life for years.
Inside the cottage, she searched for the sunglasses, then gathered the requested snacks for the beach.
As she headed back out, balancing the food items in her arms, she slipped on her shades and reversed her thoughts of Prince Gus. He was not her future. Thomas was her future. Or so it seemed anyway. They’d been together for a year and he was a solid match. Kind, loyal, successful, and very good looking.
They’d developed a good routine. Friday nights at the pub with their mates. Saturday night dinner and a movie at her place. Sunday afternoons they visited his family for lunch and hers for dinner. Then it was back to the weekly grind where they met for lunch on Tuesdays and shared a virtual dinner on Wednesdays.
Thomas had taught Daffy how to invest and save. He’d be disappointed to learn she’d blown what little she’d put by on this trip, so no need to tell him.
And to her recollection, he’d whispered “I love you” at least once the past year during a particularly romantic evening.
Did she want Thomas to be her future?
As she reached the edge of the deck, Daffy remembered her phone was on the charger and ran back to retrieve it. She’d missed a call from Mum and a text from Thomas.
Miss you. Send photos.
She’d save Mum’s voice message for later. She was on holiday and didn’t want to think about work. If it was family related, she’d text or call Ella too.
Heading back out, Daffy spied the barbecue. Ooo, they could grill out. Maybe tonight.
Stepping off the deck, she raised her voice. “Hey, Ella, Leslie Ann, why don’t we—”
Something hard and fast thwacked her on the side of her head. “Hey!” She jerked sideways as her sunglasses, the grapes and crisps, a lime-green Frisbee, and a golden retriever landed at her feet.
Rubbing the side of her head, she stooped for her glasses and addressed the panting dog. “You throw a mean Frisbee, pup.”
“Adler, good girl. Come.” The man’s American accent enchanted Daffy as he jogged over the sand. “Sorry about that.”
Blimey. He was something to behold. Shirtless, tan, and wrapped in taut abs, his arm muscles evident as he jogged slowly toward her.
“Are you all right? Again, my apologies.” He bent for the Frisbee. “The wind caught the darn thing at just the right moment.”
“I’m fine, really.” She slipped on her sunglasses and rubbed her head again. The sting was nearly gone.
“Are you sure? I’d better have a look.” The dog, Adler, remained at her feet and swept the sand with her tail.
“It’s not necessary, really, but thank you.”
“I heard it hit from twenty yards out.” She winced as he gently touched her chin and tilted her head. He smelled of soap, sun, and surf. “Adler goes a bit crazy when I bring out the Frisbee.” He stepped a bit closer. “No blood. Not even a bump.”
“I’d hate to think I could be dented by a dog’s toy.” Daffy pulled away and gave him a slight once-over. Very nice. America was looking better and better all the time.
She liked the sound of his laugh, which felt oddly familiar. Besides his rather well-crafted physique, which he showed off proudly, the chap sported a thick beard and a mass of wavy, dark-brown hair knotted on his head. A few loose tendrils curled around his neck.
“Let me help.” He gathered the dropped snack items and handed them to her.
“Thank you.” She clutched the items to her chest and extended her hand. “I’m Daffy.”
Their eyes met as he raised his hand to hers. But only for a moment. Then he jerked around and walked away. “Come, Adler, now.”
But the dog hesitated with a whine and rested her nose on Daffy’s foot.
“Adler, come.” He added a whistle to his command.
Twenty yards way, Leslie Ann and Ella peered over the back of their chairs, watching the entire scene.
Adler glanced at Daffy, twitching her fluffy eyebrows up and down and shifting her gaze between her owner and Daffy.
“Adler. Now.” The American returned, flashing the chewed plastic disc. “Come, girl.”
But she refused to move and added a quick lick to Daffy’s toes.
“Go.” Daffy pointed to Adler’s owner. “Go on now.” She looked at the American chap who had yet to give his name. “Perhaps if I throw the Frisbee.”
“No, thank you. Adler, I said come.” He softened his tone as he crouched down. “Are you all right, girl? I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”
Poor bloke seemed rather frustrated now. “Dogs like me.” Daffy ruffled Adler’s ears. “But not this much. Do you think she’s hurt?” She inspected her forward paws.
“Here, let me.” He inspected her back paws with his back to Daffy. “No, nothing.” When he started to move, Adler bounced up and tripped his step, causing him to crash into Daffy.
Together they stumbled backward and fell into an awkward dance as they attempted to stay upright.
“Adler,” he said. “What in the world? I am so, so sorry. She’s never—”
Their eyes locked. Daffy gasped as he looked away.