8. Hailey

CHAPTER 8

HAILEY

I ’ve been sitting by Bethesda Fountain for two hours now, watching happy couples stroll by hand in hand, giggling children chase each other, tourists snap selfies. Two long, long hours… And there’s still no sign of Luca.

Four o’clock. He’s officially two hours late.

An uncomfortable heaviness settles in my chest as reality sinks in: I’ve been stood up. By a real-life Prince Charming who surely has a thousand other eager women lining up to be with him.

Stupid, stupid Hailey . I blink back the sting of tears, refusing to cry in public over a man I barely know. Clearly, our magical night together meant a lot more to me than it did to him.

Anger begins to simmer, pushing through the hurt and humiliation. How dare he make a date with me and then just not show up? I deserve better than this.

I march determinedly toward his hotel, just across the street from Central Park, ready to give him a piece of my mind. Doesn’t he know who I am? I’m Hailey freaking Warren, rising-star journalist. He can’t just treat me like this.

But as I approach the shining revolving doors, I hesitate. Is this really a good idea? Confronting him, letting him see how much he got to me?

My pride balks at the thought. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he hurt me.

I hover uncertainly outside the entrance, warring with myself. Confront him or let it go? Risk more humiliation or walk away with my head held high?

Tears I refused to shed earlier now prickle behind my eyes. I duck into the nearest subway station, needing to get away, get home. Slumping into a hard plastic seat, I lose the last of my energy as the train rattles through the tunnels.

Why do I care so much? It was one night, a fantasy. Princes don’t fall for ordinary girls like me. I knew it couldn’t last.

But that doesn’t stop the sharp ache in my chest, the irrational feeling that I just lost something precious. Something that could have been extraordinary.

Staring out the smudged window, I let the tears finally fall.

Getting off the train after a few stops, I walk up to ground level for cell service and call the first name in my favorites list. Millie. Always dependable, she picks up on the second ring.

“Hey, girl. How’d it go with Prince Charming today?” Her voice is bright, eager. I swallow hard.

“He didn’t show up, Mill. I waited for two hours like an idiot.” My voice cracks on the last word.

“What? Oh, Hailey, I’m so sorry. Well, maybe something happened and he’ll call you when things settle down?” Her endless optimism usually bolsters me, but right now it grates.

“He’s a prince, Millie. I was a fun diversion, that’s all. Time to face reality. And he doesn’t have my number. He didn’t even give me his.” A few more tears escape and I brush them away roughly. “Look, can I come over? I really don’t want to be alone right now.”

“Of course, sweetie, get your butt over here. I’ll supply the wine and ice cream, you supply the full scoop. Deal?”

Despite everything, a smile tugs at my lips. “Deal. Thanks, Mill. I’ll see you soon.”

I end the call and go back down into the tunnel to catch the next train. Once I have a seat, I lean my head back, suddenly exhausted. Watching the tunnel lights flash by, I let my mind drift, remembering stolen moments…

Luca’s hand warm on my back as we sat at dinner. The spark in his blue eyes when he laughed. The feel of his lips on my skin…

No . I firmly shut down that train of thought. However magical it felt, it wasn’t real. Couldn’t be real.

Time to pick up the pieces of my bruised heart and move on. I’ve gotten good at that over the years. This time won’t be any different.

I hope.

The train jolts to a stop and I stand, squaring my shoulders. One foot in front of the other. I can do this. Life goes on, with or without charming princes.

Even if a traitorous part of me desperately wishes this fairy tale could have lasted just a little bit longer.

The walk from the train stop to Millie’s is almost ten minutes — she’s definitely a trek from my place in Manhattan, but well worth it every time. She throws open the door before I can even knock, enveloping me in a tight hug. “Oh, Hailey, I’m so sorry. Come in, come in.”

She ushers me inside her cozy apartment, the smell of freshly baked cookies and finger paints mingling in the air. Squeals and laughter emanate from down the hall — her kids Lake and Howie caught up in their imaginary world of make-believe.

“Where’s Teddy?” I ask, looking around for her husband.

“He’s cycling with his friends. It’s his day off from parenting.” She’s already opening a bottle of wine. “Tomorrow’s mine.”

“That’s right.” Hope flickers in my heart. A girl’s day is something to look forward to.

“There’s a sound bath tomorrow morning at the old warehouse a few blocks over.” She pours me a glass of wine. “What do you think?”

“Sounds great.” I know it won’t wash away all the pain I’m feeling, but at least a day with my best friend will be a decent distraction.

“You can crash here, if you want.” She hands me the wine glass.

It’s so sweet of her, knowing that I’ll be incredibly sad and lonely tonight — but it also makes me feel shittier. I’m that sad, single friend, married to her career and not even committed to keeping a house plant — forget about a pet or a boyfriend.

Yep. I’m the person who has nothing to go home to, ladies and gentlemen.

“Auntie Hailey!” Lake barrels towards me in a whirlwind of blond curls and sticky fingers. I crouch down to scoop her and Howie into a hug, their innocent joy thawing some of the ice around my heart.

“Hey, munchkins! What trouble are you two causing today, hmm?”

“We’re playing castle! I’m the queen and Howie is my knight!” Lake proclaims proudly, plastic tiara askew on her head.

“Lucky queen to have such a brave knight,” I say with a smile I don’t quite feel. If only real life worked out so neatly.

“All right, kiddos, Mommy needs to talk to Auntie Hailey now. Why don’t you go set up a tea party for us and we’ll be there in fifteen minutes?”

They scamper off with delighted giggles, and Millie loops her arm through mine, leading me to the overstuffed couch.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

I take a long sip, the rich merlot warming my throat. “I waited, Millie. For two hours, like an idiot. He never showed.”

She rubs my arm soothingly. “I’m sure there’s an explanation. Maybe an emergency came up with his family? Or he got stuck in a meeting?”

I shake my head, throat tight. “He could have called my office. Gotten my cell number there.”

“Are they allowed to give that out?” She frowns.

“Well… no. But there’s someone answering the phones on Saturday. If he had called, they would let me know.” The tears threaten again and I blink them back angrily. “It’s fine. It’s probably for the best. I mean, who was I kidding? Thinking I could have some whirlwind romance with an actual prince?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Guys like Luca don’t end up with girls like me. I was fooling myself to ever think otherwise.”

Millie frowns, opening her mouth to object, but I hold up a hand to stop her. I can’t handle her well-meaning platitudes and pep talks right now.

“I appreciate you trying to cheer me up, Mill, I really do. But can we just… not talk about him anymore today? I think I need to lick my wounds in peace for a bit.”

Understanding fills her eyes and she nods, giving my hand a squeeze. “Of course. Whatever you need.” She stands up, mustering a bright smile. “Now, I believe we have some very impatient royalty waiting for us. Shall we go see what Her Majesty demands?”

I drain the rest of my wine and set the glass down with a determined clink. Broken heart or not, I refuse to wallow. Time to paste on a smile and go play pretend.

If only I could convince myself that this ache in my chest is make-believe too.