“Vanessa and I are going away.” She’d called him last night to let him know about a house she’d heard about, made entirely from renewable materials. Said she was glad he’d postponed the build because she wanted to take a look at it this weekend. He’d told her he couldn’t go, but that was because Rosie had just gotten back from St. Christophe, and he’d wanted to be with her.

But it has to stop. “To Bozeman. There’s a house she wants to show me.” But instead of feeling right about his decision, he felt uneasy. Ever since the princess had come into his life, he hadn’t felt right in his own skin.

All the more reason to go away with Vanessa. He felt like himself around her.

“That sounds wonderful.” She sounded sad, and that made him feel like shit. Wandering away from him, she reached down to pick up a pine cone.

He wished he hadn’t hurt her, but…come on. They had to stop this game, the push-pull of attraction they’d both agreed they wouldn’t act on.

So, no, he’d done the right thing. For both of them. She’d figure that out.

Lifting the pine cone to her nose, she inhaled. “It actually works out great for me.” She shot him a look. “Since I’ve got a date with a hot cowboy tomorrow night.”

Chapter Fourteen

This is my happy place.

For the base note, Rosalina added vanilla extract. Hm, what else? She reached for the ylang ylang oil and poured some in. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the combination…it wasn’t quite right, not full enough. Maybe she’d add lavender. She found the jar of essential oil and poured in the heart note, loving its soothing scent. Now, for the top note—

An image flew up in her mind, like a sudden rainstorm, splattering the windshield, blurring her view. Brodie and Vanessa. Laughing as they drove down the highway. The vision cut deep into her heart, the sting so painful she had to set down the jar.

Stop it.

He’s not yours.

He can never be yours.

She couldn’t live in Calamity, and no one as wild and rugged and free-spirited as Brodie could survive in St. Christophe as part of the royal family.

The reminder eased the pain. Focus on what you’re here for. Your business. Your joy. Okay, the top note. Neroli oil? But she pressed her hand to her heart, because words had no real power over her heart.

Is that what Marcel felt for Fabiana?

Which made her wonder…what if she’d met Brodie in St. Christophe? If they’d worked together on a business at home, would she have felt this same wild attraction? Would she have snuck into closets for make-out sessions?