Chapter 9

The outside deck of the Beach House Restaurant Bar in Stone Town, Zanzibar was bathed in the warm, orange glow of the gorgeous sunset over the Indian Ocean as Daphne and I finished our cheesecake with mocha ice cream.

"This was such a great idea," I said, scraping the last bit of ice cream from the plate with my spoon, then letting it slowly melt in my mouth. "Who knew running away could feel this spectacular?"

"We should do it again tomorrow," Daphne joked, then licked her spoon. "A new location every day! I vote for Ibiza next."

I laughed. "As tempting as that sounds, you're going to have to suffer here for a while. It would be much harder to fly under the radar there."

"The sacrifices one has to make for friends," she said with a fake frown. "One thing for sure, the guys surely can't be happy with us at the moment."

"Leaving was very necessary, you know that, right?" I said. "After everything, I just needed this." I gestured to the crashing waves and the sun disappearing before us. "Space. Relaxation. Time to think. No temptations."

Daphne held up a finger. "Don't forget the king prawns and grilled octopus."

"I won't—that was an amazing meal," I said with a smile. "I seriously want to hire this chef and bring him back to the palace with us." I took the last sip of my after-dinner espresso, then set the cup down. "Anyway, my point is, let's just enjoy our time here."

"I am perfectly fine with that, but don't you feel a little guilty, though, the way we left like that?" Daphne asked. "August came such a long way to find you."

"I don't feel guilty in the least. I made it perfectly clear to him where I stood about our relationship … there is no chance of us getting back together."

"Okay, but let me ask you this …"

I sighed. "Why can't you let this go?"

Daphne ignored my question, then asked, "What's the worst that could happen if you and August did actually get back together?"

I looked out at the horizon over the ocean as a couple of seagulls flew by, then turned back toward her. "The worst thing? Being the owner of a shattered heart beyond repair. Again."

"Okay, then … what's the best thing that could happen?" Daphne pressed.

A blissful marriage, fun, adventure, laughter, sweet moonlight kisses, and three children—two girls and one boy.

"I don't have time to think about those things," I lied, tucking the deceptive thoughts away.

She laughed and shook her head, looking slightly amused. "That is a lie of humongous proportions."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I said, trying to appear natural and nonchalant. "I haven't thought of August a single moment today."

Daphne pointed to my face. "Your nose is growing as we speak."

That made me laugh, but then I lost my smile when I said, "I quit believing in fairy tales. And you don't believe in them either, so why are you pushing this?"

Daphne thought about it, nodding slowly, but then surprised me when she said, "I don't know. I think I'm starting to believe in the possibility of them again. I have hope, at least."

I arched an eyebrow. "Does this have anything to do with my brother?"

She shrugged. "I do have a lot of fun with him, that's for sure. I like his energy. And don't tell me you didn't have fun on the game drive with August. In between your moments of being cranky, I saw you smile and relax more than a few times. What do you attribute that to?"

"A lapse in common sense," I joked. "Okay, I admit sometimes I enjoyed myself, but you know what I do feel guilty about? Not saying goodbye to Simon and Sabrina. I have to say, they're such a fun couple. They have positive energy, which I love and need in my life."

"Nice change of subject, but I agree with you," Daphne said. "They seem to live life to the fullest. I admire that. But hey, it shouldn't be too difficult to track them down when we get back home. How many Simons and Sabrinas are there in Slovenia who sell Syrah by the seashore?"

"True," I said with a laugh, then cranked my neck to the left and leaned forward to get a look at the couple who just walked by on the beach.

"What?" Daphne said, following my gaze.

I blinked a few times, thinking about it. "It's the craziest thing. I just saw a couple who were the spitting image of Simon and Sabrina, just as we were talking about them. I only saw them briefly from the side, and then their backs as they were walking away, but that was kind of eerie, the timing."

Daphne smirked. "Maybe you manifested them and then they just appeared." She gestured to me, nodding her appreciation. "You've got magical powers now."

"And you have a wild imagination," I countered. "I would be perfectly fine if Sabrina and Simon were here, as long as they are not accompanied by the dynamic duo I'm trying to avoid. But why are we even talking about this? This time, we left no clues. It will be impossible for them to find us. Nobody knew, not even the driver."

Just then, Daphne's phone buzzed with a call. She glanced at the screen, then her eyes went wide before showing me the caller"s name.

Queen Camille.

I jerked my head back, confused. "Why is my mother calling you?"

"I guess we are going to find out," Daphne said.

"No!" I said. "Let it go to voicemail."

"Hello, Your Majesty," Daphne answered with a grin, then nodded a few times. "I'm doing great! Thanks for asking." Another nod. "Yes, she's right here. Hang on just a moment."

I glared at her, then took a deep breath before taking the phone from her and saying, "Hello, Mother. Why are you calling me on Daphne's phone?"

"Because you never answer yours," she replied, her tone light but with an undercurrent of reproach. "And I needed to speak to you."

"I thought you were in France."

"We are, for a few more days," she said, "but I heard an interesting rumor. Is it true that you're in Africa?"

I hesitated, my mind racing for a neutral response. "Who told you that?"

"Caleb did," she answered. "Is it true?"

"Why do you ask?"

Mother sighed into the phone. "I guess you are, since you are avoiding my questions. Now, tell me why you're there."

I had to be careful with how much information I gave her. If I told her too much or where I was, it would most likely get back to August. My parents are his biggest fans and would love nothing more than to see us back together. In fact, I would not be surprised one bit if he were the one who got her to call me.

"It's not important, Mother," I answered. "What's important is that I'm safe and just taking some much-needed relaxation time with my best friend."

There was a pause on the other end. "You know, Veronica, you should really give August another chance."

"And there it is, Mother. I'm surprised it took you so long to bring up the subject." I bit my lip, frustration bubbling up. "Are you sure you and Father are not secretly negotiating with Queen Annabelle for another arranged marriage?"

"I've already told you that the answer is no—I don't even remember the last time I spoke with August's mother," she said firmly. "But that doesn't mean I don't want you two to be together. Imagine the family you could create together."

I couldn't help but agree, but that wasn't a reason to be with someone.

"Mother, this isn't about having babies. It's about my happiness, what I want, and what's best for me."

"Sometimes what's best for you isn't immediately obvious," she said. "If I hadn't given your father a second chance, we wouldn't be married, and you wouldn't be here."

"Mother, I appreciate your advice," I said, pondering her words. "But I need to figure this out on my own."

"I understand, darling," she said, her tone warm. "Just remember, love is worth fighting for."

We said our goodbyes, then I turned to Daphne and asked, "Why did you answer the phone?"

"When the Queen of Kastonia calls, I pick up," she said.

I respected that and disliked it at the same time.

Sighing, my thoughts were a whirlwind as I handed her back her phone. "Luckily, she doesn't know where we are, so we're safe. More importantly, that means August doesn't know."

After we paid the bill, the waiter returned a few minutes later and set two drinks on our table with a smile. "Compliments of the two gentlemen at the bar. Two Royal Twists."

My suspicion radar vibrated like crazy.

Daphne glanced down at her drink. "What's in a Royal Twist?"

"Crown Royal Canadian Whisky, grenadine, a splash of pineapple juice, a dash of bitters, and garnished with a twist of orange zest for extra zing. Enjoy," the server answered, then walked away.

I turned to Daphne as my paranoia kicked into high gear. "I've only had one Royal Twist in my life, and it was with August at the agricultural conference we went to in Toronto. Glance over at the bar and look at the two guys. If it's August and Caleb, I'm going to make a run for it."

I crossed my fingers that it was just a coincidence.

"Relax—they have no clue where we are," Daphne said with a chuckle as she swiveled in her seat. She paused, scanning, then turned back with a smirk. "I've got good news and bad news."

"Give me the good news first," I prompted.

"They're not European princes," she confirmed.

I let out a breath of relief. "And the bad news?"

She grimaced. "Two macho men with enough testosterone to fuel a rocket ship are waltzing this way, looking like they want to hit on us."

I blinked twice when I saw them both clad in outrageously tight floral shirts that clashed with their neon shorts and matching Crocs.

"Well, well, well," the taller one with a dubious mustache said, giving us a wink that was slimier than his hair. "Just when we thought there was nothing prettier than the sunset, we found the real view right here. I'm Denny."

His sidekick puffed out his chest and chimed in, "And I'm Kenny."

"Thanks for the drinks," I said flatly, hoping to cut this short.

"Oh, don't mention it!" Denny said. "And what might your names be?"

"They might be Frannie and Annie," I smirked.

"Fate loves a rhyme," Kenny declared with a grin as wide as his unibrow.

"Actually, I just made the names up," I said, curious how they would respond.

"So did we!" Kenny slapped Denny on the back. "I love a woman with a sense of humor! My legal name is Scumman, but I changed it when people started calling me Scum, for short."

Nodding, I eyed the dirt under his fingernails. "That tracks."

"And my legal name is Tirdston, but I changed it when people started calling me Turd," Denny said, then, in what had to be one of the worst segues ever, he added, "I like long walks on the beach."

The DJ started his first set on the other side of the terrace, ramping up the volume, the upbeat island dance music inviting everyone to the outside dance floor. The beats throbbed and colorful lights swirled around the wooden deck, transforming the evening from a tranquil sunset scene to a vibrant night of celebration.

Scum leaned closer to me, taking an obvious peek down my blouse. "Might I have the honor of your first dance, Frannie?"

Turd leaned closer to Daphne. "And I would like the honor of your first dance, Annie."

"Thank you for the invitation," I said, trying to think of a good excuse, then added, "I always give the first five dances to Annie."

Daphne smiled. "Thanks for not breaking our tradition, Frannie."

Leaving our drinks untouched, and in a moment of spontaneity, I grabbed Daphne's hand and pulled her toward the dance floor as I called out, "See you later, guys!"

Daphne laughed as she danced with me, occasionally looking over her shoulder.

"Are they still there?" I asked.

"Watching us like hawks," she said.

"Don't worry about them. We'll dance a few songs, then slip out before the fifth one starts."

Daphne smiled and bumped my hip. "Sounds like a plan!"

And just like that, all my worries faded into the background. I closed my eyes, raised my arms above my head, and swayed to the music, letting the rhythm carry me away. The ambiance was electric. Laughter and chatter mingled with the pulsating beats and ocean air as people danced with abandon.

I opened my eyes and said, "I love this!"

Daphne and I twirled around the dance floor, our bodies moving in sync to the music, each step sloughing off the day's earlier awkwardness. Just as the song was reaching its crescendo, Daphne's eyes widened, her gaze fixed just over my shoulder.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"You're not going to like this," she muttered over the thumping bass. "They're coming right this way."

Scum and Turd had decided the five-song hiatus I had mentioned was more of a guideline than an actual rule. They appeared on the dance floor with the same overeager smiles, thrusting wildly inappropriate hip gyrations in our direction.

"We couldn't wait any longer!" Scum shouted as he sidled up next to me.

Turd took a similarly presumptuous position in front of Daphne, both of them clearly misunderstanding the concept of personal space.

"You ladies light up the dance floor!" he said, moving closer. "You've got moves that could kill a mongoose." He winked. "And I'm a mongoose!"

I did not know what that meant, and I didn't want to know.

Daphne and I exchanged a look, a silent agreement passing between us that it was time to redirect this unexpected reunion. Just as I was about to suggest to her we duck out under the guise of using the restroom, I felt a hand slide around the small of my back. Startled, I stiffened immediately, my instincts kicking in before my mind could catch up. In a reflexive motion, my clenched fist swung back, connecting with the person behind me.

A sharp yelp cut and then a loud thump through the music, then I spun around.

There was no one in my line of vision until I looked down. My heart practically stopped when I saw him.

It was August.

His face was contorted in a mixture of shock and pain, his hands defensively covering his royal jewels I had apparently smacked. Again.

"Veronica," he gasped from the floor, his voice strained and a few octaves higher than normal. "That's quite the welcome."