American Royals

She let out a breath. “Daphne cornered me in the ladies’ room and told me to break up with you. She’s been out to get me from the beginning. She sabotaged my gown—”

“What happened with your gown?” Jeff cut in, confused.

“—and she’s the one who planted those photos of us in the tabloids, the ones taken outside my dorm! She sent the paparazzi there that night!”

“Daphne had no idea about us. No one did, remember?”

“Are you sure you didn’t tell her at New Year’s?” Nina couldn’t keep the jealousy from her voice. “I saw you two talking out on the patio at Smuggler’s. You looked pretty close.”

“What do you want me to say? Yes, Daphne hit on me at New Year’s, but I turned her down, told her that I was with someone else now.” He shook his head in disappointment. “Come on, Nina. I thought you would at least be gracious in victory.”

“Being gracious,” Nina said darkly. “Sounds like yet another of the many things that Daphne can do, and I can’t.”

The darkness felt tense and heavy, and somehow more ominous than before. Nina struggled to breathe. Then something Jeff had said clicked into place.

“You did tell Daphne. Even if you didn’t tell her my name,” she insisted. “After you told her you were seeing someone, she clearly figured out that it was me. Then she sent the press to my dorm!”

“Do you realize how paranoid you sound?” Jeff asked, incredulous. “Daphne hates the press. She would never do that. I know she can come on strong, especially to someone like you, but she wouldn’t hurt me like that.”

It wasn’t lost on Nina that he’d said hurt me. Not us.

“To ‘someone like me’?” she repeated, stunned. “You mean, a commoner?”

“Of course not. I just meant, someone who hasn’t known Daphne for years.”

“You met me when we were six,” she reminded him. She didn’t have to add that it was much longer than he’d known Daphne.

Jeff glanced down at the tip of Nina’s shoe, peeking out from beneath her gown. “Daphne and I ended on good terms. We’re still friends. Whatever she said to you, I’m sure it was well intentioned.”

Was he seriously taking her side? “I can’t believe you ever dated her. She’s awful.”

“Why are you being like this? I’m with you now. What does it matter what happened in the past?”

“Because I don’t think it’s actually in the past!” Nina burst out. “Daphne clearly isn’t done with you—and from the way you’re defending her, maybe you aren’t done with her, either!”

She tore her hand away from Jeff’s grip. “She’s a manipulator, Jeff. She’s been lying to you from the beginning.”

“Nina—”

“It’s absurd that I’m supposedly the gold-digger, when it’s really Daphne. I like you in spite of your position, and Daphne likes you because of it!”

The prince’s jaw tightened. “Daphne and I dated for almost three years,” he said. Nina recoiled a little at the reminder. “I think I would have known if she was lying to me that whole time.”

“No. You’re just too blinded by her looks to see it,” Nina insisted. “She’s been playing you, Jeff. Using you. She should win an Oscar for this, because it’s the performance of a lifetime—making you think she cared about you, when all she cares about is being a princess!”

“So now you’re accusing her of being a sociopath,” he said quietly.

“Exactly! She faked your entire relationship, and if you can’t see it, you’re even more foolish and shallow than I used to think you were!”

Nina stared determinedly out at the city, furious with herself for crying, but it was too late.

If only she had proof of what had happened in the bathroom. But it was her word against Daphne’s. And if Jeff was going to choose Daphne’s side over hers … well, she had her answer right there.

Jeff let out a breath. “I don’t want to make you any promises that I can’t keep, about marriage or where this is going. I’m not trying to mislead you in any way. All I know is that I want to give us a fair shot.”

“We did give us a fair shot, and it didn’t work,” Nina said quietly. “I can’t handle all of this. The reporters, the constant scrutiny, the fact that your ex-girlfriend is determined to get rid of me—even the fact that your lawyer emailed me a relationship contract—it’s too much.”

Jeff didn’t answer right away. He seemed stunned by her words.

“Nina …,” he said at last. “If it was just us, if I was a normal guy, would things be different?”

Of course they would, Nina wanted to say, except that the very notion was nonsense. The thought of him as a so-called normal guy, as one of the disheveled college kids who worked for his beer and pizza money, was ridiculous. Jeff could only ever be the Prince of America.

Just as Nina could only ever be a commoner.

“It won’t ever be just us, Jeff.”

He nodded. “I really am sorry.”

She turned a tear-streaked face to him. “Me too.”

They stood there, both of them leaning toward each other, but not touching.