Page 138 of American Royalty

The interest in his gaze caught her off guard. Hold up. She thought he knew the score. They’d been playing it up for the cameras. It wasn’t real. She hadn’t taken it personally or him seriously.

“Liam, I think you’re great, but—”

“Ahh, dagger.” He closed his eyes and staggered back, pressing his hand to his chest. “You wound me.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you meant any of it.”

“It’s cool. Not that I’m not disappointed. I think we’d be great together. But your interest is clearly elsewhere.”

She arched a perfectly sculpted and gelled brow. “What are you talking about?”

“I knew from day one he had his eye on you,” he said, nodding over to where Jameson stood with Lady Imogen and Princess Catherine.

Fuck.“I don’t think that’s true.”

“What I didn’t know was if his feelings were reciprocated. Until the tennis exhibition.”

This wasn’t good. She thought they’d been careful. She shook her head. “You’re mistaken.”

“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.” He stared at something over her shoulder and sighed. “I’m being summoned. Save me a dance, beautiful.”

He kissed her cheek and strode off. Dani watched several heads twist in his wake, following his progress.

Did she need to worry about that? He said he’d keep the information to himself, though she hadn’t confirmed it, but still...

“I think he really likes you,” Nyla said in her ear.

Hello, Echo.

Dani twisted her bottom lip. “I know. And he knows about Jay.”

Nyla shrugged. “He won’t say anything. If only to preserve his shot with you.”

“Shot denied.”

“Who knows what might happen when you get back to the States?”

“I know. Nothing.”

“You’ve been getting some great press and it’s clear you and he vibe. Maybe—”

“Nyla!” Agitation sharpened Dani’s tone. “Let it go!”

Nyla closed her mouth and tilted her head to the side. She studied Dani with narrowed eyes, then said—

“You know it’s not going to work, don’t you?”

Dani should’ve played it down or played it off, but she couldn’t. Her feelings and her own concerns were too close to the surface. “Why? Because I’m an American? A rapper? Black?”

“Yes,” Nyla said, her blue-shadowed eyes wide. “Look, I get it. Prince Jameson is smart, compassionate, and good-looking, if you like the tall, dark, square-jawed type. But he’s a member of the royal family. And after this week, his profile has been raised dramatically. They will expect him to choose a certain kind of wife, one who will help him in his royal duties. Are you willing to give up your life and your work to be here with him?”

“I’m not marrying him!” Although the thought of that imaginary wife caused a knot to tangle in her belly. “We’re still getting to know one another. You know... dating.”

Nyla moved closer and squeezed her forearm. “You grew up hearing your grandmother talk about the royals but you never listened to her, did you? I’m your friend and I’m only saying this because I love you. What do you think will happen if this story gets out?”

“It’s not going to—”

“You’ve tempted fate and gotten lucky, Dani! But if you continue seeing each other, it’s only a matter of time. Do you really think the Palace isn’t going to have something to say about it? That the press won’t get involved to a level that’ll make the Banks situation seem like a slow media day? Are you ready for the things they’ll say about you? Because, look around! There are a lot of faces in here and only a handful look like you or me. And you’re talking about joining the whitest of historic institutions.”