“Let’s go for a run,” Carter said as I sat in front of the window and watched the courtyard.

“It’s cold.” I wrinkled my nose at his running clothes. “I can’t believe you packed those for a weekend trip.”

“Fin.” He lifted his brows, revealing the hard truth in his stare as he eyed up the bag of licorice next to me. “When was the last time you did something for fitness?”

“I don't know. We can do it tomorrow. I have the interview today.”

“It’s in three hours. You’ll be fine. Let’s go.”

“Fine!” I snapped and got up, stomping to my room to change.

Bea, Jess, and Linna were still sleeping in their rooms. Aaron was asleep on the couch, not waking even with my stomping around.

When I came back out he was stretching.

“We’ll go slow. It’ll be fine.”

“I haven’t run since—” I paused trying to remember the last time I did exercise on purpose. “A while ago. We’re gonna need to go really slow.”

“I know. I can tell.” He made eye contact with my muffin top.

“Why is everyone shitting on me about my weight?” I was getting annoyed. “It’s eleven pounds, Carter. Not a hundred. I don't need an intervention. Last time I gained weight you said my boobs looked awesome.”

“Yeah, well last time your boobs were where you gained the weight. This time is different. Let’s warm up and talk.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me to the door, not noticing the horror on my face.

“You’re an ass.”

“I know.” He didn’t care, clearly.

When we got outside, I instantly started to shiver. “It feels like it’s going to snow. Should we go find a treadmill maybe?”

“No, stop.” He dragged me into a really slow jog.

“Did I ever tell you I hate running?” I moaned.

“Yes. And you told all our gym teachers every single year, loudly. Move it! I’m not some forty-year-old you can bribe with a wine card.” He laughed and pushed me.

We jogged down to the sidewalk along the ocean where the gray sea and sky blended into one another. Only the choppy waves and dark clouds added texture to the scene. I wished I had my phone so I could take a photo, but I didn't want to carry it while we ran.

My feet hurt, my legs burned, and my lungs were confused on why we would ever breathe such cold air so quickly.

“Are you going to level with me now that we’re out here?” he asked after a couple of minutes of silence.

“With what?”

“School, life, love, what you wanna be when you grow up?” He shrugged. “Something’s up, Fin. What is going on with you?”

“Okay, fine.” I decided to level with someone other than Hattie. “School’s getting better.” Deep breath. “Life is good here. I like it.” Small chest ache. “Love is awesome when he’s here and sort of awkward when he’s not.” Shallow huffing for air. “So mostly awkward. And I have no clue what I wanna be. What about you?” Talking and running was impossible.

“I’m taking business. I think that might be my thing.” He gave me a side-glance, barely breathing hard compared to my huffing like I might die. “Is Bea crazy or cool?”

“English Linna,” I said between huffs of misty breath.

“Ahhhh. That makes sense. She kinda hit on me last night.” He chuckled.

“She likes you.” I wheezed, slowing my pace a bit. “Said you were hot.”

“Well then, I guess my sightseeing tour just got booked.” He nudged me and laughed. “But you’re okay, otherwise?”

“I’m okay. It’s like you said, I haven’t made that big decision about Andorra yet and it’s weighing on me. I told him I would marry him—”

“What?” He paused and jogged in place. “Why? You’re not even nineteen!”

“Yeah, I know.” I stopped jogging, holding my cramping side and heaving my breath. “I took it back. I broke the engagement off and told him I can’t decide something like that right now. And he has so many huge changes. None of this was how it was supposed to be.”

Carter grabbed me, hugging me into his sweaty neck. “I knew it. I knew something was off. Just trust me, Fin. Don't make any choices until it feels right. Don't let them rush you. Focus on small goals. Fun. School. Health. Shit like that like.” He was wiser than before.

“Bro, when did you become Yoda?”

“I was one of the test subjects in a happiness study last month. They took five freshman, five juniors, five seniors, and five grads who had been out of school for two years and did a happiness study.” He pulled back and grinned, still looking like smug Carter. “I learned a lot and I met a few chicks who felt I was incredibly mature for my age.” He winked and there it was. “Let’s go. Break time is over.” He swatted me on the butt and started running again.

I groaned but got moving.

We ran for what felt like forever. He tried to carry on the conversation, but I was dying and it became a choice between talking and breathing. I chose the latter. So he just talked and talked and talked about the happiness study, which sounded kind of awesome, even if I didn't have enough oxygen in my brain to understand.

But when we finally got back to the courtyard, something happened. I felt better. The deep breathing, pounding heart, cold wind, and happiness study had shifted something. I stretched with him, feeling a lightness I hadn’t had in ages.

“See, you feel better, don't you? Endorphins. They save lives.”

“I do feel better.” I hated agreeing with him but it was the truth.

“Now, you’ll rock that interview. You’ll be calm and spent and ready to be the girl you are.” He hugged me, smooshing his sweaty lips on my even sweatier forehead. “Just be you, Fin. There’s nothing wrong with you.” He turned and strolled inside. “Shotty the shower first.” He left me there, mouth open and perspective in check.

He was wrong about one thing though. He had changed. College was changing him, for the better.

And while he was wrong about us all being the same, he was right about the interview. I was going to be fine. I wasn't about to let some old lady shake me.

I showered, got my makeup done by the never-ending energy bunny, Bea, and was dressed by Jess, the conservative as far as clothes went, and out the door with pep in my step. I felt better than I had in ages.

My phone rang as I was halfway there on my walk. “Hey,” I answered the kissy face.

“I wanted to say good luck, not that you need it.”

“Thanks. I think I’ll be fine. I went for a run with Carter, which sounds crazy, but it made me feel really good.”

“Carter?” His tone dipped into the dark place. “Carter got you to run?”

“Yeah.”

“Was he chasing you with a machete?” He chuckled.

“Lucky you’re cute because that was mean.” I smiled, though he was a dork.

“You miss me and you love me, and when I come visit, we’re also going for a run. And I will chase you if I have to.”

“Fine,” I agreed. “Have fun and be safe.”

“As if I have any other option,” he said it with a smile, but we both knew the subject would be a sore one for the rest of our lives. “Message me afterwards.”

“Okay.” I hung up, grinning. Even talking to him didn't make me nervous. Maybe running was some kind of magical cure.

I got to Walled Gardens and beamed at Janet. “Hey.”

She radiated excitement back at me. “You ready then, my dear?”

“I guess so. Is she here?”

“She is. The photographer is setting up in the private reading room. We thought it would look smart, you and books and the fireplace. Good lighting too.” She was gushing. This might have been the best thing that ever happened to her, if you gauged her response compared to anything else in life. Janet was a real aficionado when it came to royal families. She knew them all, down to the type of breakfast they preferred.

Bea had desperately wanted to come, but I knew it would be too much for poor Janet to handle. Bea was a direct relative of the Windsors and that might have ended Janet. Since she knew of Bea from social media and the rag magazines, she asked me about her and Dee all the time. I kept my answers brief and PG, meaning I lied all the time.

Janet led me to the den where Harley Turpin greeted me with the biggest smile, sort of fan-girl-esque. “Finley!” She hurried forward, eyes wide behind her glasses and excitement bursting from her perma-grin.

“Hi, Harley.” She was exactly as I expected. Nerdy chic. Sort of how I imagined Jess in a few years.

“Thank you so much for agreeing to do this. We’re so excited to be here.” She motioned at the beautiful older lady across the room. “This is Ramona Oshawa. She is the interviewer for Hello! I’m her assistant.”

“Ms. Roze, I can’t tell you how excited I am to meet you.” Her smile and her words said one thing, but her stare was shrewd and intimidating. I got my ass up assuming she was judging me in some way.

I offered her back the same stare, analyzing and measuring her. “Lovely meeting you.” I was cool and polite.

“Shall we get to it then?” Ramona pointed to the two chairs facing each other by the crackling fire.

“Let’s.” I undid my coat and handed it to Janet, hoping she wouldn't smell it in front of us all. She was so crazy and this interview was tipping her over the edge. It was tipping us all over the edge. Carmen said she was so stressed she was even making the residents clean all week.

“So, Fin. Why are we meeting here today at a retirement home?” Ramona asked the scripted question.

“I volunteer here. I like working with the elderly.”

“Why is that?” She seemed genuinely confused by the answer, though it was on the draft.

“I adore elderly people. They’re so smart and experienced in life. They have life lessons in spades. But they’re also over the nonsense the rest of us younger people are wrapped up in. We’re so busy with unimportant stuff, and they’re just here hoping we notice them. I think some of them feel a bit left behind sometimes. And I hope I can change that in some way.” The answer was mine, off script.

“Most princesses and members of royal families are baby kissing, and here you are senior kissing.” She laughed, also going off script. “Do you work with kids as well? Or have any plans for babies anytime soon?”

“God no.” I wrinkled my nose as the camera flashed.

Shit.

“Tell us, if you and Prince Aiden were to marry, what difference do you think you could make to the Andorran monarchy?” The question was also not on the list. My heart started to race, but I took a deep breath and listened to what Carter had said.

“Honestly, I don't know.” I was drowning, which was always when I found my strength. “What change does anyone have the right to create in any culture? I suppose I’ll have to see what difference the people of Andorra make in me before I can answer that.” It was a shitty Fin response but Harley winked at me from behind Ramona.

“So you don't believe being an American might make it difficult for you to adapt to the Andorran way of life?”

“What is the Andorran way of life?” I asked, turning this on her as my superpower came to life.

Fuck her.

Her mouth opened to answer or to mock me some more but I cut her off, “Better yet, what does being an American have to do with anything? As far as I’ve been able to tell with my limited visits there, due to the incredible tragedies the royal family have endured, the Andorran people seem like they’re a beautiful blend of Spanish, French, and Portuguese. But they’re also international. Being a tiny country, it’s easier to see the mosaic of nations. Why should my bringing some American qualities and traditions there be any different than any other immigrant coming into the country? Particularly now that they’re changing the immigration laws and allowing citizenship for people.”

Harley pressed her lips together, stifling a grin.

“You’re smarter than I thought you might be. Less molded.” Ramona went off course completely.

“Well, I’m at an amazing university, perhaps they’re actually teaching me something.” I laughed bitterly, not sure where we were. Her compliment had caught me by surprise.

“Why don't you tell us how you and Prince Aiden met?” Her eyes dazzled as if maybe she knew something of the story already, not the good parts either.

I relived the details, again gushing as I always did when I described it.

“And that ring you’re wearing, did he propose to you with it? I won’t lie, I’ve heard from some close sources to you that you’re engaged to Prince Aiden.” She pointed at the ring on the wrong hand. The gleam in her eyes was unmistakable. She knew this and if I lied she would out me. But Aiden and I hadn’t told anyone. Not his parents or his country or my dad. What did I do? My cheeks soured and my heart raced.

“He did give it to me.” I nodded, not sure what else to say.

“Is there a reason you’re wearing it on the wrong hand? If you’re indeed engaged.”

“Yes.” I reached deep into my old lying ways and smiled when I found a gem. “When Aiden and I fell in love and talked about our futures, they were very selfish and small. He was just a guy and I was just a girl and there was nothing else to the story. But then his poor brother died and his father got sick, and Aiden found himself in a completely different place. His future became set and his life planned. We talked about marriage and I told him that I needed to wait a little longer before anything changed for us.”

“So it’s too daunting to imagine being a queen and marrying such a figurehead?” She was eating it up, gobbling the breadcrumbs I’d dropped for her.

“No.” I almost smiled as I unleashed the true power of being a deceptive brat. “But when he does ask me to marry him, he is asking on behalf of his country as well. And if I were to say yes, I would need to be able to promise myself to the country and offer something worthy. And right now, I’m just a college student with limited knowledge and experience. So yes, he gave me this ring, and it means something huge to us, but it’s not a promise of anything. Because until I can offer his country something more, we can’t marry. I need to be a true queen and his equal. And he agrees, always putting his country first like the king he is becoming.”

It was her turn to sit uncomfortably and stare.

“You are truly not what I expected.” Ramona sat back, exhaling. “One more question. The prince is with his friends this weekend, and of course his sister-in-law, Alexandria, who we frequently see him with in photos. I’ll be honest, I actually thought they were going to pull a Henry VIII and get together. Anyway, they’re skiing this weekend and one of our crews is there doing the photo shoot for them all. Does it make you nervous when he’s skiing?”

“Nervous?” Alexandria’s name rushed through my mind, and I’d lost track of what we were talking about.

“His brother died in a helicopter accident while out skiing—does it make you nervous when he skis?”

“Of course.” I nodded blankly.

“Okay great.” She smiled like we weren’t talking about his brother dying because I realized too late, we weren’t. She wanted to bring up Alexandria. “I think we’re done. What a great interview.” She stood and offered me her hand, her eyes filled with something else now. I took her hand, wondering if she felt the sweat on mine. “Do you mind if we get some shots of you and the residents?”

“No.” I smiled and tried to pretend like it had been successful. Because other than the Alex part, it had been. I’d owned her for part of it. The important part too.

It was a first, and weirdly enough, I owed it to Carter. Of all the people in the world. Carter.

I finished the photos quickly and shook hands with the right people, leaving after a short amount of time.

The air on the walk home felt fresher as I phoned Aiden.

“Hey!” he said like he was outside, also enjoying his day. “I just got an email from the assistant. She said you were amazing and totally crushed Ramona. What the hell happened?”

“She went off script. Tried to trick me.”

“And you were okay?” He didn't sound happy anymore.

“I’m fine. I have a lifetime of Sheila tricking me and making me think fast on my feet. Ramona was nothing compared to Sheila.”

“That’s my girl. Okay, I’m sitting at the top of the mountain, about to ski down. I’ll call later. I love you, Fin,” he gushed.

“Love you too.” I hung up and tried to be happy for my win.

“How was it?” Jess asked as I got in the door to find them all staring at me expectantly.

“Weird. She totally tried to trick me. She was off script like the entire time.”

“Which is no different than our childhood.” Jess laughed nervously.

“Right. My Sheila training came in handy. I think I crushed it.” I used Aiden’s word.

“So we're getting drunk then?” Bea asked excitedly.

“Yes,” I agreed, needing a little something to take the edge off.

“Sweet,” Linna burst. “I think Edinburgh and a club is in order.”

“I’ll book the hotel.” I smiled wide.

“No, let me,” Bea interrupted. “I’ve got some connections there. Everyone pack, be ready to leave in fifteen.”

It was like a team break, with everyone parting in all directions at once.

Only I stood in the living room, trying to ignore the weird nagging sensation that whispered, Alexandria.