Chapter 7

After finishing up the game drive and picnic lunch, Daphne and I walked back to our tent suite, where the midday heat made the thought of a cold shower and some downtime incredibly appealing. However, a more urgent matter pressed on my mind, overshadowing any desire to cool off or relax.

Struggling through every moment near August in the safari cruiser and pretending his presence did not affect me was utterly exhausting. I had to take drastic action before it was too late. As soon as we stepped inside the tent suite, I closed the door behind us and faced Daphne.

"Pack your bags," I said firmly. "We're leaving."

Her eyes widened in shock. "We just got here, Veronica! Where are we going now?"

"I'll figure that out later," I said.

"I don't get it," Daphne said. "What's the hurry? You loved the safari! You were like a little kid when you saw the elephants."

I shook my head, my resolve hardening. "I just can't do this. Being around him, it's too much."

Daphne looked at me with a knowing smile. "It's not like he's pressuring you into anything. He's just trying to make things right. What's wrong with that?"

I sighed. "Some mistakes change the course of things forever, and there is no amount of good intention that can undo that kind of hurt."

"Come on—I seriously doubt the hurt is still there," Daphne said. "This is your fear talking. Admit it."

I sighed. "I never denied that it wasn't, but let's be honest, the only reason he's trying so hard is because he needs a queen, and it's much easier for him to marry one he already knows. I don't want to be something a man needs. I want to be something he wants. There's a big difference." I gestured to the bathroom. "I'm going to take a quick shower. And just so we're clear, I will not change my mind about this. We're leaving."

"You're stubborn," Daphne said.

"I'm cautious. Let's get moving." I turned to pull together some fresh clothes, then spotted a small white envelope resting on my bed. "Wait, what's that?"

Daphne glanced over at my bed, then over to hers. "I have one, too."

I walked over and picked up the envelope that had "Nasaro Spa" printed on the outside. Inside, there was an appointment card for a facial and massage, compliments of August. The gesture was grand, typical of him really, trying to win me over with his thoughtful actions.

"Well, this definitely makes up for the dreadful hour we had to wake up at this morning," Daphne said. "See how hard he's trying? We can't leave now. I could use some pampering."

"No," I said. "We need to go."

She shrugged. "Fine. You can go without me."

I placed my hands on my hips. "Seriously?"

"Yes!" Daphne said.

"Now, who's stubborn?"

She grinned. "Me. Look—you could use some pampering as well. And August will not be there, if that's what you're worried about. You heard him, he and Caleb are going to shower and relax in their tent until dinner. He already paid for this. The least we can do is not let it go to waste. I really need some spa time. Come on! We can leave tomorrow. This will give us time to plan better without rushing."

I blew out a frustrated breath, thinking about it, my mind focused on the strings attached to such kind gestures. "Just because August arranged this doesn't mean anything's changed between us."

"I'm okay with that!" Daphne said. "Does that mean you're coming?"

I sighed. "Fine. I still need to take a shower."

"Yes!" Daphne said, pumping her fist in the air.

After we both showered and slipped into a fresh set of clothes, we walked over to the Nasaro Spa. Nestled near the valley floor, it offered a secluded spot away from the camp's main tent, with panoramic views of the surrounding bush. The serene atmosphere was inviting, soothing my senses before we even began our treatments.

After our wonderful massages, we moved to a different area for our facials, where, unfortunately, the topic of relationships surfaced again.

"I think life is too short for what-ifs, Veronica," Daphne said, her voice relaxed yet serious. "August has made mistakes, but he traveled a long way to make amends. Doesn't that count for something?"

"It's not just about what he wants or needs," I said softly as the esthetician applied the finishing touches to my mask. "It's about what I can handle. And right now, I'm not sure being the queen of Verdana is a good fit. The International Grain Coalition is my passion project, and I don't want to give it up." I waved it off. "Anyway, as I said before, let's not talk about him. What about you? Is my brother getting on your nerves yet? The man can be relentless."

To my surprise, Daphne chuckled and said, "He's harmless. He just needs to dial it back a notch, because nothing is going to happen between us. I'll admit he's cute, but there's no way I'm going to go out with a man who is younger than me."

"You make it sound like an enormous gap. It's just ten years. When you're fifty, he'll be forty. When you're seventy, he'll be sixty?—"

"Wait, are you actually pushing me to date your brother?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.

"What? No!" I exclaimed. "That would be weird seeing my brother with my best friend. And I can't imagine you two kissing. No, I don't even want to get that picture in my head! Ugh! Brain bleach! I'm just saying, don't let age alone be a deal breaker. Look for kindness, compassion, humor, respect—things that really matter."

Daphne nodded thoughtfully. "Just like August, huh?"

I exhaled sharply. "Don't go there."

"Just don't shut yourself out completely," she advised. "You might end up with regrets."

Her words lingered in my mind as we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon and our treatments came to a gentle end. Afterwards, we both sat up, feeling refreshed yet contemplative.

Stretching, Daphne said, "Don't laugh, but I'm hungry again."

I chuckled. "So am I, actually."

"Perfect timing," she noted, eyeing the ornate clock. "Happy hour just started. Let's get a drink and some nibbles before we figure out our next move. One more dawa for the road."

"One drink. That's it," I cautioned.

"Deal," she agreed, though we both knew I needed that drink more than her.

We were planning a swift visit to the bar and then a quiet exit, hoping August wouldn't even realize we were gone until tomorrow. But as we entered the main tent, my heart sank. There were Caleb and August, already there, looking like they'd been waiting for us.

I leaned in and whispered to Daphne, "One drink and then we are out of here. I'll give you a signal when."

"What's the signal?" she asked.

But before I could answer, August interrupted and said, "What a pleasant surprise. This just made my day."

Caleb didn't take his eyes off Daphne. "Mine, too. Wasn't expecting to see you so soon."

"I thought you were resting in your tent," I said, barely hiding my dismay.

"That had been the plan all along," August said. "But after we showered and relaxed for a couple of hours, we were suddenly hungry again. We decided we didn't want to wait until dinner to eat something, and here we are. A round of dawas for everyone?"

One drink, that's it.

I nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

While Caleb and Daphne chatted amiably, August was busy ordering drinks and appetizers at the bar. Seizing the opportunity to avoid conversation with him, I drifted over to admire the local artwork adorning the walls. My gaze settled on a striking painting of a serene beach scene with palm trees and two chairs on the sand. It was labeled "Shangani Beach" in gleaming gold letters at the bottom of the canvas.

"It is truly a slice of paradise," commented an employee, joining me in my appreciation of the artwork. "Have you ever been?"

I shook my head, "No, but I agree, it's stunning. Where exactly is it?"

"In Zanzibar, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of Tanzania," he explained with a smile. "Shangani Beach is in Stone Town, the historical center and capital of Zanzibar. I highly recommend a visit if you ever get the chance."

"How far is it from here?" I asked.

"It's a ninety-minute flight from the Nairobi airport."

"That certainly is tempting," I mused, the idea of escaping there tugging at me as I admired the painting.

He wished me a good day and moved on, leaving me alone to contemplate our next move. I took out my phone to look up Zanzibar, intrigued by the painting and what the employee had shared. I casually glanced behind me to make sure August and Caleb were not watching, which they were not. The photos I found of Shangani Beach were breathtaking—white sand, clear blue waters, and lush greenery. It was exactly the escape I needed. Deciding then and there, I resolved to book our trip to Zanzibar as soon as we returned to our tent suite.

Just then, August's voice broke through my research. "Veronica," he called, beckoning me over with a raised glass.

I joined the group, accepting the drink August offered.

"To pleasant surprises," he toasted, and we all touched glasses.

As we took sips of our drinks, I pondered just how surprised August was going to be when he found out we were gone.

"Hey—what's up with Sabrina and Simon over there?" Caleb asked, his gaze fixed on them across the room.

They were staring at us with wide eyes, looking like they'd seen ghosts, but they were not coming over to chat with us.

"Something is going on," I said. "That's really weird."

August waved them over and called out, "Come join us, don't just stand there!"

Sabrina and Simon hesitated, then approached us, their movements overly cautious, almost as if they were not supposed to be there.

"What's going on with you two?" Daphne asked.

Sabrina kept her head down, avoiding eye contact, bowing. "We were online, Your Highnesses, trying to learn more about your countries since we thought you were all so delightful. Then we discovered that you really are royalty." She bowed again. "We thought you were joking! We were so wrong!" She bowed again.

"Let's call that the shock of a lifetime!" Simon attempted a bow, which ended awkwardly with a bit of wind, causing him to grab his back with a grimace. "Ow, that will not work. I've got a cramp now. Big cramp."

"Here, honey," Sabrina said, rubbing his back.

"Much better—ooh, that feels good, right there," he said, before glancing at us from the corner of his eye. "Are we allowed to make eye contact?"

August laughed heartily. "Please, there is no need to be so formal. Just treat us like you did on the game drive. We're still the same people. And we're friends now. This is the twenty-first century, and we're just tourists here. See it like we're on vacation from royalty."

"Are you sure?" Sabrina asked, bowing again.

"We're sure," I said. "Honestly, you don't need to change anything. We're here to have fun, not hold court."

Simon, still holding his back, tried to relax, but his nervous chuckle didn't quite mask his discomfort. "We thought it was all part of a game. I mean, we were having such a good time with you. You don't even have any bodyguards or servants, or anything that important people have."

"And we've been worrying ever since we found out who you were if we had said anything inappropriate," Sabrina added, her voice tinged with concern. "My goodness, I even laughed when Princess Veronica accidentally punched Prince August in his personal, uh, appendage."

Caleb smirked. "We all laughed at that."

"You've been perfect," I reassured them. "And regarding the security detail, we wanted to keep a low profile, and Africa was the perfect place since we aren't well-known here. You will keep this a secret, won't you?"

"Of course. That certainly makes us feel better," Simon said.

"Perfect! Please—join us for a drink," Caleb asked.

"We would love to, but we have a walking tour schedule for the next hour," Sabrina said. "We'll see you at dinner, though. If you'll allow us the honor of sitting with you."

"We would love that," August said. "We'll see you later then."

After Simon and Sabrina walked away, the bartender asked, "What are your thoughts about this part of Africa so far? Are you enjoying your stay?"

"Absolutely amazing," August said.

"We are on day one and this has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life," Caleb said, then gestured to me. "Including that unfortunate event involving my sister when she was almost mauled to death by a four-inch lizard."

Everyone laughed except for me. Although I did crack a smile at the ridiculousness of what had happened. I rarely overreact like that.

"Hilarious," I deadpanned.

"I agree with Caleb," Daphne said. "This was a day I will never forget, and the spa made it even better. Just perfect. Thank you."

The bartender nodded, pleased. "That's what we aim for—making Africa your happy place. Ernest Hemingway once said, ‘I never knew of a morning in Africa?—'"

"When I woke up and was not happy," Caleb finished the quote, smiling.

"Yes!" the bartender replied, clearly impressed.

Daphne turned to my brother with a sparkle in her eyes. "You'd be great at that game where people improvise and build a story one sentence at a time."

"How does it go?" Caleb inquired, his interest piqued.

"Well, there are a hundred variations of the game, but the one I played starts by someone setting the scene with one sentence, any sentence they like," Daphne said. "Then, we take turns adding our own sentences to the story. We go round by round, each person contributing a complete sentence to build on what was said before, until we craft an entire story together. There's another version where you finish the sentence of the other person, but I like this one."

"Sounds fun," Caleb said, looking at me, then back at August. "We should try it."

Under normal circumstances, I might have been on board, but with August across from me, every moment felt charged. Luckily, the server set down a platter of shrimp tempura, the inviting aroma momentarily distracting me.

I stabbed a shrimp and took a bite, eager for an excuse to focus on something other than the game. "I think I'll just sit back and enjoy the food and drink while you guys play."

Daphne was quick to object, pointing her shrimp at me. "No way, you're playing. It's more fun with four people. Just one round, then we can go back to our tent and relax."

She winked at me, which I took as a clue that she was still on board with us leaving for a new destination ASAP. I could not wait to share that I'd already decided on us going to Zanzibar.

"All right, one game," I reluctantly said.

"Perfect!" Daphne clapped her hands, finishing her drink in one long gulp. "Caleb starts, then me, August, and Veronica. It keeps it balanced, guy, girl, guy, girl."

Caleb cleared his throat, took a sip of his drink for inspiration, and began, "There once was a man from Nantucket …"

Daphne made a game show buzzer sound with her voice. "Try again, something less cliché."

Caleb nodded, then his eyes twinkled mischievously. "Once upon a time, in a distant land, there lived a princess whose name rhymes with harmonica."

"Stop!" I frowned, not liking where this was headed. "Really? That's all you could come up with?"

"What was wrong with that?" Caleb asked. "It was a great start!"

"Her name rhymes with harmonica?" I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "Seriously?"

"I didn't say she was Veronica," he defended. "It could be anybody! Princess Monica, for example."

"I immediately thought of Monica," August said, nodding, his bottom lip twitching like he was trying his best not to laugh. "I'm okay with Caleb's start."

"Me too," Daphne said. "If you don't like it, you can always change the direction of the story when it's your turn."

They obviously did not know who they were dealing with if they thought they were going to have fun at my expense. I finished my drink, then turned toward the bartender and said, "Could we please get another round of dawas?"

"Of course," he said.

"Okay, no more interruptions," Daphne said. "Caleb, please start again."

"With pleasure," he said. "Once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom, there was a princess, whose name rhymes with harmonica."

Daphne nodded appreciatively before adding, "Renowned far and wide not just for her sense of humor but for her unrivaled beauty and sharp mind."

Okay, that wasn't so bad.

I kind of liked that, actually.

August, with a twinkle in his eye, continued, "And oh, there was a prince, hopelessly smitten with her. From the very first day, he'd had his eye on her."

Okay, that will not work.

I redirected sharply. "Literally, she caught his eyeball with her hand after it fell out of its socket because of his rambunctious behavior of following her around the world like a hyperactive puppy."

Caleb laughed, then added, "Oh, but the princess had a soft spot for puppies, and since she was an agricultural expert, she concocted a special potion made from rare, magical herbs that could cure many eye problems, as well as the occasional bout of constipation."

Daphne smirked. "His problems were behind him now."

August leaned closer with a grin. "True, but nothing could deter him from his quest to win her heart—not even the occasional slip-up of an escaping eyeball."

Refusing to give him any ground, I retorted sharply, "Except maybe his knack for disappearing just when she thought he might actually be royal material."

August held up an index finger, even though it wasn't his turn. "Funny how she did the same thing, running away from him when he tried to make things right because she could not handle the heat."

"Hey, wait, I was supposed to go next," Caleb said.

I ignored him and said, "At least, that's what the prince thought. The princess could handle the heat just fine. She just didn't want to get burned again."

"Yet each misstep," August shot back, "somehow brought them closer."

"Or farther apart, depending on who you asked."

"He thinks of her day and night."

"He's got way too much time on his hands," I said.

August leaned closer. "And not enough harmonica."

That one caught me off guard. I snort-laughed. Then, unfortunately, a drop of my spit flew out of my mouth and landed right on his cheek.

He blinked twice, looking a bit in shock.

I winced and wiped it off his face. "Sorry about that."

August grasped my hand before I could drop it back down to my side. "The prince misses the princess so much his entire body physically aches."

"That escalated quickly," Caleb said, his gaze popping back and forth between the two of us.

I swallowed hard, at a loss for words.

This was exactly what I had wanted to avoid, being so close to August. It was just too much, too tempting. The room faded around us, the sounds of the bar, the people enjoying happy hour. My breath caught as I realized how much I wanted to lean forward and end our verbal spar with a kiss.

"Four more dawas," the bartender called out with perfect timing.

I pulled my hand away from August's, creating some much-needed distance between us.

"The game is over," I said, then secured a drink and downed half of it in a single gulp. I wasn't much of a drinker, but today felt like a day to make exceptions.

While Caleb and August talked to the bartender about the early-morning hot-air balloon rides they offered, Daphne and I finished our drinks, both of us silent since they were right next to us. I tried to signal her discreetly to let her know it was time to leave, widening my eyes and tilting my head in the direction of our tent suite.

She glanced at me, a puzzled look crossing her face. "You okay, Veronica?"

I shook my head, frustrated by her misunderstanding, and tried the signal again, more exaggerated this time.

Unfortunately, August caught my gestures this time and chuckled. "What exactly was that?"

"Nothing," I said, realizing subtlety was getting me nowhere. I gripped Daphne's hand and added, "We're heading back to our tent suite to relax for a little."

"Oh, okay …" August's expression shifted to one of curiosity mixed with a hint of concern.

Before he could say another word, I pulled Daphne along and made a beeline for the exit. With any luck, we would be on our way to the airport before their first course plates hit the dinner table.