Anne looks to me. I clear my throat; it’s now or never.

“Jace…” I start, then stop. “Jace,” I say again, relishing the feeling of saying his name. “It’s me. Vivienne.”

“I know what your voice sounds like, Viv,” Jace replies, a hint of amusement in his own now.

I let out a strained laugh. I feel eyes on me, and know that I’m blushing.

“You know about this?” he asks. Though his tone is no longer amused, it’s lacking the cool indifference that was present when he was speaking to Anne. I watch her and my mother exchange a glance, suggesting they’ve noticed the same.

“Yes, I know,” I confirm. “I didn’t suggest it,” I clarify quickly. “But I did know they were going to ask you to do this.”

“And you didn’t tell them not to?” Jace’s voice isn’t accusing, just resigned.

“No.” The self-loathing returns.

“And it will help you if I agree to do this?”

“Mr. Dawson, as I told you before—” Anne starts.

“I know what you told me,” Jace interrupts. “I want to hear it from Vivienne, not some random public relations person.”

I half-smile at his arrogant tone. Few people dare to interrupt Anne, but of course Jace would be one of them.

“Viv?”

“Everything Anne said was true,” I reply, avoiding his question.

Jace notices. “That’s not what I asked you.”

I remain silent. One answer would be the same as asking him outright; the other would be a lie.

There’s another long pause. Then, “I’ll do it. Send the team publicist the details.” There’s a click, and the line goes dead.

“Well, having you in the room was certainly the right decision, Princess,” Anne remarks, attempting to lighten the mood. “For a while there, I didn’t think there was any chance he would agree.”

I nod stiffly.

“I’ll set up the travel arrangements and call a hotel,” Anne says.

I open my mouth to protest, but to my surprise, my mother speaks first.

“No, he’ll stay here.”

Anne and I both look over at her in surprise.

“I don’t think that’s the best idea. If it gets out to the press that he’s staying here, it’ll send entirely the wrong message.” Anne replies.

“Like he said, he’s the one doing us a favor. He’ll stay here.” My mother’s tone is final. Anne doesn’t argue further.

“I’ll just arrange the travel, then.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

JACE

They send a plane that’s already waiting at the same small private airport Viv and I flew to and from when I arrive. A stoic man dressed in a black suit is the only other passenger on board, aside from the flight crew. I settle into one of the oversized chairs after I board, dropping the suitcase I brought at my feet.

We’re in the air within minutes. I stare out the window as we travel over the blue of the ocean. The never-ending stretch of water is pacifying, and my eyelids quickly begin to feel heavy. Anxiety about this trip kept me up most of the night.