“Bert, stop letting her read your textbooks. I’m begging you.” He didn’t respond other than to shrug.
“C’mon. You have to tell me!” Jess looked at me with pleading eyes.
“It’s not going to happen again.” I sighed, knowing I had to spill if I wanted any peace.
“Oh my God. Alex really did kiss you! How was it? Why on Earth is it not going to happen again? Was it bad?” Jess sat up straight. “That’s the saddest thought in the world.”
“It was good.” I shook my head. “Really, really, good. The best. But it shouldn’t have happened. I have too much going on to deal with that too! I mean, I’m not interested in a fling.”
“What makes you think it would be a fling?” Jess narrowed her eyes at me. “Did he say that?”
“No.” I bit my lip and then blurted it out. “I’m an American! He’s a freaking prince! What use would I be? He probably needs to end up with someone from a royal family that can help him rule a country.”
“Um, aren’t you from a royal family?” Jess raised one eyebrow and looked at me like I was stupid.
“It’s not the same thing, Jess. He’d need someone from a respected family.” I wrapped my arms around my chest. “I’m not really royal. I’m an American related to someone who was a royal.”
“That doesn’t seem to matter to Rose and Alex.”
“Jess.”
“Don’t Jess me. I saw the way you looked at him. The way he looked at you. Don’t be stupid, Sam. You overthink things.”
“I do not! I make educated decisions.” I shook my head. “I have way too much going on to be mixed up in anything complicated.”
“Complicated is the best kind.” Jess smirked.
“I’m going to bed.” I threw the blanket off and stood up. “I have to pack tomorrow and get ready for the trip.”
“I see my argument skills have forced you to retreat. I claim victory.”
“Shuddup!” I looked over at Becca, who was leaning against the kitchen doorframe. “Do you need anything?”
“I have everything I need.” She smiled at me.
“Okay. Spill. Why do you have a Southern accent but work for Lilaria?” I frowned at her.
“I went through training with the FBI. When Rose came over a few years ago, I was part of the team assigned to her.” She smiled. “I stopped an attempt to kidnap her and she asked me to work for her.”
“Someone tried to kidnap her?”
“Holy shit.” Jess stood up and walked over. “You stopped a kidnapper?”
“Yes. Did you think I was just here for looks?” Becca asked.
“Well, no. I just thought you were to keep people from bothering Sam.” Jess looked at Becca with weighing eyes. “I bet people underestimate you a lot.”
“It works to my advantage.” Becca shrugged.
“Do I need to worry about something like that?”
“I’m just a precaution,” Becca assured me.
“I’m so done for tonight. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” I started to turn away.#p#分页标题#e#
“You want help tomorrow?” Jess asked. She normally didn’t have any classes on Thursday and often worked from home.
“That would be great.”
As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out. It had been one of the longest weeks of my life and it was nowhere near being over.
The next morning I was woken up by the sounds of voices in the living room. It was barely seven o’clock and I already had twelve e-mails according to my phone. I sat up and stared at the sun streaming through my window.
I grabbed some jeans, a long-sleeve T-shirt, and tennis shoes. Once I was ready, I threw open my door and went in search of coffee. Sarah was sitting at the kitchen table with Jess and Bert. I nodded my head at them but went straight for the coffeepot. I didn’t have the brainpower yet to deal with why Sarah was in my house.
I poured a healthy amount of creamer and sugar in and stirred until my coffee was creamy brown. I took a sip and sighed. Just right. I rummaged around in the refrigerator and found some yogurt. Grabbing a spoon, I took the last chair at the table.
“Good morning, Duchess.” Sarah smiled at me.
I grunted.
Jess snickered. “Wait until after the first cup.”
“Ah. I understand.” Sarah smiled brightly. “It usually takes me two before I’m fully awake.”
I grunted again. I bet Sarah woke up ready for anything. She probably slept in her clothes with that notebook clutched in her hand. She had it open next to her with a bunch of notes scribbled in the shorthand I had noticed the day before. I took my time with my coffee and yogurt, listening while Jess asked questions and Sarah answered.