The queen is staring at me, eyes wide, and I panic.

“Those were just a couple of suggestions. I didn’t mean to overstep, or…”

“Jace!” Vivienne appears through the terrace doors we’re approaching. “I went to Anne’s office, and she said you left almost twenty minutes ago. I figured you got lost.” She looks over at her mother.

“Partly, but then I ran into your mother and she showed me the way.”

“She did?” Viv’s vivid blue eyes dance between us, filled with confusion.

“Yup.” We approach the door. I pause to let Vivienne’s mother pass first. She still looks shell-shocked as she walks past me out onto the patio. I follow after her to see Vivienne’s father is already seated at the wood slatted table. Viv comes up to my side as I emerge outside.

“Did it go okay with Anne?” she asks.

“Our juicy love story is about as interesting as a history documentary if you listen to my version of events.”

Viv laughs. “Good to know.”

“I also managed to make Anne laugh,” I inform her. “Unfortunately, this session was not recorded by Cara, so I have no proof.”

“Cara?”

“Anne’s assistant from this morning?”

“Oh, right,” Viv acknowledges.

“She goes to Edgewood too, you know.”

“She does?” Viv looks surprised. “How do you know?”

“She mentioned it when we were walking to the library.”

“Hmmm.” The sound drips with disapproval.

“She’s nice, Viv.” I roll my eyes. “Scared stiff of you, but nice.”

“Whatever you say. So, what did you tell Anne to make her laugh?”

“I don’t want to tell you,” I admit.

Viv raises her eyebrows.

I sigh. “I made a joke about Charles.”

Viv’s lips quirk.

“Vivienne! Jace! Come eat,” Robert calls.

We both glance over from our spot just outside the patio doors. The slatted surface of the table has been completely covered by platters of delicious looking food.

Dinner passes quickly. I feel more comfortable with Viv’s parents after the individual conversations I’ve had with both of them, and sitting outside feels more relaxed than the massive, formal dining hall we ate in last night. It’s been dark out for a while by the time Robert and Evelyn say good night and head inside.

Viv and I sit underneath the muted lights of the patio in silence after they leave.

“Viv…” I finally start.

“Shhh,” she scolds. “Come on.” She stands and holds out her hand.

“I’m not allowed to talk?” I raise an eyebrow.

“There are other things I’d prefer you do with your mouth,” she challenges. The smirk slides off her face, replaced by despondency. “I don’t want to talk, okay?”

“Okay,” I acquiesce. I’m not sure what I would have said anyway.

Viv leads me back inside, up the stairs, down the hallway, and into her room. And we don’t talk.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

VIVIENNE

I wake up with a heavy coil of dread in the bottom of my stomach. Jace is leaving today, and I’ll never see him again. I’ll have no reason to see him again. These past two days, I’ve allowed myself to live in a fantasy world, one where I get to touch him, and kiss him, and love him. As soon as he gives his interview and denounces our relationship, that will be it. He’ll return to football, to his family, to his friends, and to his date with Miss South Carolina. I’ll remain here. It’s the way things have to be, and I’m thankful Jace hasn’t brought up the topic of us getting married again. I’m weak right now. Vulnerable.