Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Still breathing hard, I wander outside the main cabin and discover the pair leaning on the railing while overlooking the sparkling ocean. As I get closer, I make out Roman’s low voice. He’s chatting amiably with the crew member, and whatever he’s saying, he’s got the crew member’s undivided attention.
It occurs to me the woman in the grocery store was the same way. The cashier, too. Hanging on his every word. And now I know why. Because he’s Roman freaking Maguire, not some gym owner from Delaware.
I suddenly realize a whole bunch of people have been reacting to Roman exactly like those two women in the market and this crew guy, but I’ve idiotically chalked it up to Roman being jaw-droppingly gorgeous or memorable, for some reason, as a college player. No wonder Roman wanted to get out of that market quickly on day one! It wasn’t because he was protecting me from unwanted attention, like I thought. No, Roman didn’t want those women unwittingly blowing his cover, the same way this crew member just did!
“Hey, you,” Roman says as I come to a stop next to him. “Everything okay?”
“It’s great. I was just feeling a little bit seasick, but I’m okay now.”
Roman furrows his brow. “This fast? We just left the dock.”
“It came on quick.”
“Would you like some Dramamine, miss?” the crew member asks politely.
“No, I think I’m okay now. Let’s do the tour.”
Roman takes my sweaty palm, and we follow the crew guy, Artemis, through the vessel as he provides us with factoids about everything. Throughout the tour, Roman seems remarkably chatty and relaxed, and not the least bit suspicious of me, so I feel confident I’ve somehow managed to maintain a poker face for the first time in my life.
The tour ends, and Roman and I settle onto lounge chairs on the top deck to await the arrival of our cocktails and appetizers.
“I’ll tell Leo where to find you,” Artemis says as he departs. “Enjoy.”
“Isn’t this amazing?” I say brightly when the crew member is gone. “I’ve never been—”
“You googled me in the bathroom.”
My cheeks blaze. “Hmm?”
“You heard that guy say my last name, so you ran off and googled me in the bathroom.” Roman chuckles. “Don’t try to deny it, Iris. It’s written all over your face.”
I blush. “Sorry. I couldn’t resist. Did you do the same thing while I was gone?”
“Google you?” Roman shakes his head and laughs. “No need, when I already got a background check on you on day one.” When my jaw hangs open, Roman adds, “I took a photo of your driver’s license while you were in the shower and sent it to Cameron—my agent.”
I gasp. “Why?”
Roman shrugs. “To make sure you weren’t a reporter or a kook. A guy in my position can’t be too careful.”
“Cameron isn’t your business partner?”
“He is, in a sense. An agent is similar to a business partner. They work on commission.” Roman sighs at the sour expression on my face. “Please, don’t look at me like that, Iris.”
“Like what?”
“Like you don’t know me at all. I’m still the same guy you’ve been hanging out with. Nothing’s changed.”
That seems like a crock of bullshit to me, but before I reply, our nice waiter, Leo, arrives with cocktails and a fancy charcuterie board, which he places on a small table between our lounge chairs.
“Can I get you anything else?”
“Nothing for now,” Roman says politely. “Iris?”
“Nothing, thank you,” I manage to say, even though my mind feels like it’s a computer that’s buffering. I don’t know if it’s fair or not, an overreaction or not, but I can’t stop remembering the moment I cracked into Brandon’s secret phone and my entire world came crashing down.
“What are you thinking?” Roman asks with a sigh.
I take a deep breath. “That you lied to me. That I don’t know you at all.”
“You do, though,” Roman insists, his jaw muscles tight. “Better than most, I’d argue, since you’ve had the unique chance to get to know me as me.”
I force air into my lungs. “Look, I get why you did it. You’re a prince cosplaying a commoner to escape the stresses of your royal life. It’s a tale as old as time. Or at least, as old as Aladdin. But understanding it doesn’t mean I can easily process it, especially after everything I’ve been through.”
“You’re upset.”
I ponder that. “I think I’m more . . . shocked.”
He looks annoyed. “Okay, well, if you could get over that shock as quickly as possible, I’d appreciate it, because I’m excited about what’s on tap for us today.” He picks up one of the drinks, apparently to emphasize his determination to have fun today, no matter what. But while he sips, I continue staring at him, incredulous. He can’t be serious.
“Why lie about UT Austin?” I blurt, glaring at him.