Chapter 1

Chapter One

VANDER

Given the choice to either spend a summer day at an amusement park filled with screaming kids or be shot out of a cannon into the sun, I'd gladly volunteer to go out with an explosive bang on the intergalactic trip of a lifetime. Anything would be better than listening to children shriek like banshees while I slowly die of heatstroke

Unfortunately for me, I wasn't given a choice in the matter. My job as senior vice president of Human Resources meant I had to spend one excruciating day a year at our annual employee appreciation event held at the local Fairytale Adventures Amusement Park in Sunnyside, California.

And I hated every fucking minute of it.

While it was a futile effort, I fanned my polo shirt, trying to cool off under the murderously sunny day. But it did little to make me feel better as I dodged another kid running blindly through the park.

I needed to find somewhere safe to hide until the event was over, but everywhere was crawling with kids or employees I didn't want to interact with on what should have been my day off from work. It was bad enough when I had to associate with them during the regular nine-to-five hours. Doing it in my spare time was just cruel.

It caught me off guard when I stumbled. Of course, my damn shoe had come untied. It was one indignity heaped upon many that day. I crouched down to tie it with an annoyed grumble.

"Do you need a hand, kind sir?"

I glanced up at the unexpected question, squinting against the light. An impossibly handsome sunshine prince in full ceremony regalia stood before me, his hand outstretched to help me. He even had a gold crown.

For some inexplicable reason, I reflexively accepted his help.

He pulled me into a standing position. The man was almost unbearably attractive, with striking green eyes that captivated me. His smile was radiant. Despite wearing a long-sleeve white jacket with gold accenting, there wasn't a drip of sweat on him. "What a rare treat to meet someone as handsome as myself." He raised my hand to his lips and placed a kiss on the back of it. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

I arched an eyebrow at his behavior. "I didn't think princes were allowed to flirt."

He winked at me. "Hey, they don't call me ‘Prince Charming' for nothing."

Another screaming group of kids ran by, causing me to wince. "Ugh, how do you listen to that racket all day?"

The prince bit his lower lip to smother a grin. "You mean the sounds of everyone having fun?"

"It's so annoying ." There was too much noise everywhere, putting me in a foul mood.

"I like hearing people enjoying themselves." He smiled as he looked out over the park. "Life is too short to be miserable."

"If that was true, I wouldn't be here." I scowled in annoyance. "Yet here I stand."

"Then I dub thee ‘Sir Grumpsalot,' Lord of the Buzzkills," the amusement park prince said with mock formality.

I rolled my eyes at his antics, but a grin tugged at my lips at his sheer ridiculousness. "What's so wrong with wanting to spend my day off alone in my quiet apartment?"

"Nothing's wrong with that. But it's good to get out sometimes."

"Are you telling me I need to go touch grass?"

He shook his head. "No, but you seem like someone who could use a little more fun in his life."

"Are you volunteering?"

His smile was full of an innuendo that made my nerves flutter despite my annoyance. "Oh, I'm quite certain we could have all kinds of fun together."

"I'm pretty sure any horizontal fun between you and a park patron is forbidden by your company."

"That's what dreams are for." He winked at me for good measure.

A child's shrill voice made me wince. "Mommy! Look, it's a real-life prince!"

"That's my cue to go. It was a pleasure, Sir Grumpsalot. See you around sometime."

Before he could walk away, the question was out of my mouth before I could stop it. "Who are you?"

"Prince Everson of Romancelandia, at your service." He gave a formal bow before leaving to talk to the child, who had been so excited by his presence.

I couldn't help but watch their interaction. Everson was so good at humoring the kid's enthusiastic interest, taking pictures with his beautiful smile.

Prince Charming, indeed.

Dusk fell, but it brought little relief from the unbearable California summer heat. I stood on the sidelines of Main Street, where their electric lights parade was about to begin. Out of all the things to do in the park, it was the only one I enjoyed.

"Hey, Vander," Elias Forthright greeted me as he came to stand beside me. He was an attorney at the firm I worked for, which was run by Rhys St. Amour. Elias held hands with a younger man who looked ornery as hell. "Congratulations on such a successful event today."

"Thanks." I neglected to mention I was relieved my long, hellish day was almost over. My good manners kicked in. "Did you have fun?"

Elias's shy smile was charming. "We had a great time. This is my boyfriend, North Easton."

I kept my opinion about his boyfriend's strange name to myself. "It's nice to meet you, North."

"Same," North said. "Thanks for letting me join the fun today. I can't believe I've never been to this amusement park before!"

Oh, to be so lucky. I didn't say that out loud, though. While I may have been a grouch, at least I was considerate enough not to ruin anyone else's good day with my bad mood. "I'm glad you had a great time."

"Thanks for planning such a fun day for all of us," Elias told me. "It must have been a lot of work, but we're all grateful for you and your team's efforts."

I couldn't help but soften at his genuine gratitude. "You're welcome." It was nice to be appreciated.

The parade began, with impressive floats decked out in neon lights that illuminated the night. It was almost enough to take my mind off how hot it was and how much my damn feet hurt from walking all over the enormous park.

A float with a Pegasus-drawn carriage appeared. Everson waved at the crowd from it, earning the loudest cheers I had heard yet, from women and men alike. With his gorgeous face, it wasn't hard to understand why.

As his float rolled closer to me, Everson winked at me. The same weird fluttering feeling from earlier caught me off guard. What was it about him that made something deep inside me react?

"Oooh, looks like someone caught Prince Charming's eye," North teased in a jovial tone.

"Doubtful," I scoffed.

Everson made heart hands at me, then blew a kiss in my direction. My cheeks heated up despite my gruff exterior.

Elias laughed. "No, he definitely likes you."

Even if Everson did, we lived in two very different worlds. A flirty, fun guy like him deserved to be with someone lighthearted who knew how to have a good time. The last thing he needed was to be partnered with an aptly named Sir Grumpsalot like me.

But if that was how I really felt, why did watching Everson ride off into the metaphorical sunset—never to be seen again—make me feel so sad?