“Oh my God.” Natalia gives me a huge hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without your brother.”
Natalia rolls her eyes, she’s fond of doing that. “He’s okay, I guess.”
Her comment makes us both burst out in laughter. It’s been far too long since I’ve had a good belly laugh like that.
35
Lilly
“You did so well,” Natalia squeals as we make it back to Luca’s apartment, our arms filled with designer bags full of goodies.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into buying all this stuff.”
“It’s Luca’s card, so why not. He can afford it.”
Natalia sneakily called her brother, explained to him we were going out shopping. He was so excited that I wanted to leave the apartment that he gave her his credit card, assigned us security, and told us to go crazy. She did exactly that, went crazy.
“The total cost of this stuff could feed a small country.” I feel sick over the amount of money we spent.
“Look, I know you have been thrown into this crazy world, and that it’s a little more over the top than you’re used to…” that’s the understatement of the year, “… but I also know how this all works.” She turns serious suddenly. “The press can love you one minute, then hate you the next.” Natalia reaches out and touches my hand. “You’re with Luca now, and that comes with responsibilities and obligations.”
“Meaning I have to play my part?”
“Not it a bad way,” she tries to reassure me. “Just… you will one day be a future princess.”
I hadn’t thought about it or that far ahead.
“You know that’s where Luca sees it going, don’t you?”
“I’ve thought about a future with Luca, but I guess I forgot to add in the prince part.” I nervously play with my hands.
“You haven’t really seen him in prince mode yet.” She grins. “I know he’s eager to announce to the world that you’re dating.”
Oh.
“But there’s protocol when it comes to that.”
Wow.
“I hope you aren’t scaring her,” Luca’s deep voice echoes through the apartment. “Hey, beautiful.” Luca places a kiss on my forehead, then sits down beside us. “Lilly, you’re looking a little shell-shocked.”
“She keeps forgetting you’re a prince.” Natalia laughs.
“I haven’t really shown you that part of my life, have I?”
Shaking my head, I don’t reply. I mean I have seen the cars, the apartment, the security, and the jet, but not the adoring fans.
“Right, well, that’s my cue to leave. Brother…” She kisses Luca. “Lil… you did so well today.” She hugs me, then she walks out of the apartment leaving me with Luca.
“Guess we might need to talk about some things?” Nodding my head in agreement, Luca moves over and sits beside me on the sofa. “Well, firstly. I love you.”
“Are you softening me up?”
“Yeah, pretty much.” He grins, and honestly, it makes me weak. It always does.
“Secondly, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Wow! He just went right there.
“When the time is right, I’ll be putting a ring on your finger.”
Okay then.
“Thirdly, you’ll have to accept things will change for you. You will have to give up so much to be with me, and I’m sorry for that.” I can see it on his face, he’s worried about my answer.
“I love you, Luca.” Leaning over, I kiss him. “I want you and only you.”
“Do you love me enough to give up practicing medicine, though?”
Oh. Okay, now I understand the troubled look.
“Can’t I do both?”
He shakes his head.
“Once we’re engaged, you’ll have to stop.”
“So, until then, I can?”
He nods his head. “But if I’m honest, I don’t want you to go back to the frontline, Lil.”
“Is there a compromise?”
“You would compromise for me?”
As much as I love medicine, and I do with all my heart, I love him more.
“I love you, Luca. I want to be with you. I wouldn’t mind doing some medicine on the side, it’s a part of me, in whatever form that may be.”
He excitedly pulls me into his lap. “Consider it done.”
“Just like that, hey?”
“Kind of… um… you realize you’ll have to go to princess boot camp?”
“If I can ace medical school, I can ace princess school, can’t I?”
“Princess school is much harder.” He chuckles.
Bring it on.
36
Luca
Two years ago, this crazy brunette stumbled into the cottage I rented, and bowled me over instantly, and not because she couldn’t take her eyes off my dick, that was a bonus. I could be myself around her—the palaces, the money, the title—it had all been stripped away, and she fell for me anyway. Then there was her, how could I not fall for this genuine, funny, strong, intelligent, beautiful, and totally awkward woman. Now our fairy tale didn’t exactly go to plan as we had evil sisters and exes crashing into our lives. We had monsters trying to destroy us. But somehow, we have made it through.
Lilly has really embraced her new life. The people love her, the media thinks she is fantastic, they love the fact that she’s a doctor and not just a socialite on my arm. My parents couldn’t be happier, especially when she sneaks my father a little slice of cheese. She’s embraced everything her role of future princess entails, and all with a smile on her face. I don’t think I could love her any more than I do today.
Lilly’s family has tried to make contact, especially when it was revealed that the two of us are together. But she said, “If they can’t be there for me in the worst of times, they sure as hell can’t be there for the best of times.” I thought things would change, but she is still standing firm, and I have to accept that’s the way she wants it.
We went to her sister’s wedding back in Glencoe during the Summer. It was great being back in the village.
