After I got off the phone with Hattie I started to call Aiden but chickened out, deciding to find out about the old people first. Hattie had blown away all my steam by making it half my fault. And I didn’t want to face that half. I’d done something shitty, something not cool anyway, and he was there in Andorra thinking I’d gone into “the garden of good and evil.” Not that I knew what that meant.

As I was getting ready to leave, I called out to Jess, “I’m gonna run to the retirement home that’s a couple of blocks over.” I grabbed my purse and pulled on boots.

“I’ll come with you.” Isaac popped into the room like the genie in Aladdin.

Seeing his face brought out the worst in me. I tried to be civil but it wasn’t happening. He had betrayed my trust. I was an idiot for thinking they might like me or be loyal to me. The guards were Aiden’s. They were liars, actors. They were no different than Sheila. “I’m fine to go a couple of blocks. No one pays attention to me except for you two.” The attitude was at a seven, and I could sense my next response would be an eleven.

“I’m not supposed to let you out of my sight.” He gave me the stern guard look.

“You already gave your daily report to him. I mean, since you ratted me out for chaperoning my friend in the park, you can’t possibly top that for the day. I don’t do enough interesting shit for that.” It slipped out but I had zero regrets. I was rocking the eleven.

His cheeks flushed but his glare stayed hard.

“Yeah, I know your dirty little secret. Daily check-ins with the boss over my activities, not cool. And now that I know, he’s in a dark and scary amount of shit.” I pointed my finger at him. “I swear to God, I better not see you.”

Stomping out of the dorms, I began the walk annoyed and ranting inwardly about the fact Aiden didn't trust me. It was never a security detail to keep us safe, just to keep an eye on us. This was my first year at college. I was supposed to have fun and be reckless. Wasn’t that what he had said? Besides, I knew the line, didn't I? I didn't cross it last night, it might have looked like I did, but I didn’t.

It was hard being crazy angry in the cold Scottish wind. It chilled me to the bone and by the time I was halfway through the map on my phone, I couldn’t shake the small measure of remorse I had for being in a courtyard with a guy I knew liked me. Hattie was right about that. I would have killed Aiden if he’d done that.

Why had I gone down there?

Was it what Hattie said? Was I angry? Or lonely and in need of someone to tell me I’m pretty?

Or was this me, sabotaging the relationship because I worried too much about the future. Was I really that tragic? The answer worried me. I had a history of pathetic choices made in moments of low self-esteem.

A good portion of my anger had turned into self-loathing by the time I reached the retirement home called Walled Gardens. Like all the girls I despised, I had come to Scotland for a guy. I’d let him choose my college for me. I lived with his security detail. I wasn’t being true to myself and I needed to change that. As I opened the door to the large building that resembled a whitewashed apartment complex, I decided on my first small step toward being my own woman. I opened my location services and turned off sharing from everyone and strolled inside with a sigh.

The smell of peppermint candy, hand sanitizer, and old-lady perfume wafted into my nose, bringing me calm. Instantly everything was better. It was like being home.

“All right?” An English lady with shiny dark hair smiled at me.

“Hi.” I didn't understand why they always greeted people with “all right.” “I’m wondering if you have any volunteer positions here? I’m looking to spend an afternoon or two a week.” I smiled politely and tried to sound normal, not valley-girl me.

“All right.” She scowled. “You’re American?”

“I am.” I almost said Canadian. Everyone liked them better but lying always bit me in the ass.

“We don't have anything at the moment. And if we did, it would be a lengthy process just to get you cleared, coming from another country and all.” Her tone suggested she didn't like me and wasn't about to give me a chance.

How did I explain that I needed the elderly? They were like fresh air and anti-anxiety medication for me. And my anxiety was high, super high. How did I tell her I was new to Scotland and college and my boyfriend was this high-maintenance babe who worked my last nerve and hired people to spy on me?

How did one sum up something like that?

Another lady, older with red hair and painted on eyebrows, came into the front office. She paused, tilting her head and narrowing her gaze. At first, I thought she didn't like me either, but it changed to something else. “Where do I know ya from?” she asked.

“Oh, I’ve been at the university here for a couple of months. Probably seen me around town.” I tried to divert her attentions in case she was one of those royal-family stalkers. If she was, there was a tiny chance she would recognize me. I wasn't a featured face, but there had been photos and articles about Aiden and me dating, with my bullshit high school grad pictures used.

“The prince!” The redhead clasped her hands together and smiled brightly, her eyes wide and all traces of judgmental Scottish lady vanished. “Of course. You’re going to school here. The American! You are dating the Prince of Andorra, Prince Aiden.” She nudged the other lady. “This is Finley Roze.”

Oh God . . .

“Ohhhhhh of course, yes. I remember now. If he isn’t the handsomest prince I’ve ever laid my eyes on. I suppose you must be looking for volunteer work for the royal family and all?” The mean lady also switched her tune, eyes shining, now happy and excited to see me.

“Something like that,” I lied.

“Weeeeeeeell come on in, my dear. We can get the forms started, see if we can’t get you set up.” The lady who recognized me held a welcoming arm out and pointed to her office. “You can tell us all about the prince.” She sighed.

The mean dark-haired lady nodded along, suddenly delighted I was there and wanting to volunteer.

“I’m Janet Richardson, the office manager here.” The redheaded Scottish lady sat at the desk and stared at me as though I might be her favorite pet.

“I’m Fin,” I said like a moron since we’d cleared that up already.

“How is he doing?” she asked delicately, as if she knew Aiden was struggling.

“He’s okay. Busy.” I wasn’t sure what I was allowed to say and not say.

“Is he here then?”

“No, he’s in Andorra. He doesn't come here. Too busy.” I didn't want the press searching for him. They would start stalking me, and I was already being stalked enough to last a lifetime. By my boyfriend . . .

“Must be hard, being apart all the time.” She offered me sympathy and kindness and that expression only sweet older ladies could make. The one Mrs. Potts from Beauty and Beast always made, even though she was a teapot. “My husband and I were apart for eight months once. It was terrible. He was in the navy, a long time gone. I didn't like that much.”

“No, it sucks for sure,” I agreed. “That’s why I’m here. I worked at a retirement home in Nova Scotia, Canada, last summer. I loved it. Really fit in and had fun. And now I’m thinking it might be good for me to volunteer here, help out.”

“Of course.” She nodded along but the twinkle had vanished. She didn’t believe me. “Don't suppose you have references for us to check?”

“Of course.” I pulled out my phone from my purse and called Hattie.

“Dear God, what now?” she answered roughly. “I’m going to start charging for these sessions.”

“I’m at a retirement community home and need a reference from you all at Lakeside,” I said forcefully.

“Oh, of course.” Her tone changed. “What’s her email?”

“I’ll just let you two talk.” I handed over the phone.

“Hello?” Janet smiled as she spoke, her eyes doing that twinkling thing again. “Yes, of course. Excellent. It’s w w w dot walled gardens dot com, and the email is Janet at walled gardens dot com. Perfect. Right, just the basics. How long was she there, what duties did she perform, attendance, criminal record check. All that good stuff. Excellent. Cheers. Ta.” She handed me back my phone. Hattie had hung up. “She sounds—”

“Gruff?” I smiled. “You get used to her.”

“We have a few of those here, I’m afraid.” She tried to make it sound scary for me but that was impossible.

“They’re my favorite.”

“Oh, that’s lucky then. We have more than a few. Shall we take a tour of the grounds?” Janet stood and walked to the door.

“Sounds good.” I got up and followed her out of the office.

I was mid thought about how Aiden’s name opened doors for me, annoyed I couldn't get the stupid volunteer position on my own, when Janet’s squeals of delight startled me.

“My goodness, what a surprise! Your Highness.”

Terror struck me like lightning, making me jump. I turned to see Aiden—a stern-faced Aiden—standing in the office foyer. His eyes widened, flashing an unholy spark.

My entire body stiffened and burned like a dragon had breathed fire on me.

The moment he turned his attentions from me, he softened and offered Janet his hand, bowing slightly. “Madam. Please excuse my intrusion. I absolutely had to see the place my Finley would be volunteering.” He spoke as if we’d discussed it, saying “my Finley” like he hated the taste of the words.

My anxiety shot through the roof and I broke into a sweat on my nose for no reason at all. I thanked the gods I’d remembered to put on my makeup-sealing spray.

“No, please, Your Highness. We’re very grateful you would even step through the doors. What a lovely surprise, sir.” Her charms were laid on thick, as were his, though his eyes didn't meet mine again.

My flushed face and startled expression caught the notice of the other lady in the office, the meaner one. “My dear, you didn't know he was coming in? You’re red as a beet.”

“I had no idea.” I tried to sound pleasant too, we were all doing it. But it was harder for me. My poker face was nowhere near his. He was ninja level of pretend. I attributed that to his mom. Passed down in the genes.

“Good surprise?” he asked, maybe daring me to misbehave as his stare grazed mine for a second.

Refusing to play his little game, I didn't answer the question. “I can’t believe you’re here.” That was the truth.

He didn't move toward me so I stayed still, unsure if I should pretend to hug or if I could even tolerate letting him hug me at this moment.

“I was just about to take Miss Roze on a tour, if you’d like to come. We’d be honored.”

“Of course, I’d love that. Thank you. Lovely facility you have here. I was admiring the gardens out front. Beautiful work.” He followed her, leaving me behind with the smell of him in the air. He made my stomach ache. Not just because he was here. But also because there was a fight brewing, and while I needed to set some fairly straight lines of what was acceptable and what wasn't, I didn't want to fight with him. I hadn’t seen him in two months. But it was inevitable.

“He is so handsome. And so tall. You don't expect it when you only see them on the telly, ya know?” The mean dark-haired lady, who was suddenly my new BFF, nudged me. “I’m Carmen, by the by. I don't think we introduced before.”

“We didn't.” I wanted to add “before you both almost kicked me out,” but I held back my pettiness and forced a smile. “Fin. And yeah, he’s tall. The whole family is. They’re all long and lean and fit. Annoying.” I wrinkled my nose at her.

We laughed together.

“Not like us.” She nudged me again, and I decided Carmen might have to die unless she had a stash of Curly Wurlys in her desk like I did. Then we’d be best friends.