Page 115 of Rivals

As she spoke, Sam knew this was the right thing. It wasn’t fair that Marshall should give up everything for her without them at least discussing the alternatives. He was the Beatrice of his family: the one facing all the pressure, the one who would wear the title someday.

Marshall was silent for a long moment. Finally he looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers. “I can’t ask you to renounce your family for me.”

No,she thought, panicked. He couldn’t be about to break up with her again—

“Not unless I do it, too.”

It took a moment for Sam to process what he’d said. Then her lips curled in a smile. She’d secretly hoped he might say this, but hadn’t dared suggest it; she could never have lived with herself if she thought she had dragged him down this path.

“What are you saying?” she asked, just to be sure.

“I’m saying, do you want to go all Prince Franz together?”

He reached for her hand again. Sam thought she could feel the thrum of his pulse where their palms touched.

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything than I am about you. Sam, you’re amazing. You’re complex and dramatic and funny and brilliant.” The way he said it, Sam was pretty sure that evendramaticwas a compliment. “We don’t need to do anything irreversible; I’m not ready to sign a formal document of renunciation, and I doubt you are, either. Besides, Rory would never forgive me for dumping that kind of responsibility on her without warning.” He let out a breath. “But, Sam, you’re not the only one who’s always wondered what life would be like away from it all. What if we went to Hawaii and explored what it’s like to be real people?” There was a flash of vulnerability in his features as he added, “We should make sure, you know….”

He trailed off, glancing over at her.

“Make sure what?” Sam asked, confused.

“Make sure you still love me, if I’m just a nobody instead of a future duke.”

He held his breath, waiting for her reaction. Sam stared at him for a moment, then tipped her head back and laughed.

“Hey, that wasn’t funny! I’m not joking!” Marshall protested.

“Marshall, that might be the silliest thing you’ve ever said. Of course I’ll still love you,” she promised. “I would love youno matter who you were: a farmer, a firefighter, a high school water polo coach—”

“Oh, good thinking. I should look into being a water polo coach,” he agreed.

“I’m just saying, it’syouthat I love, not your titles.” She hesitated, then added, “I like to think that we would’ve found each other eventually, even if we were ordinary people. That we would have crossed paths and known right away that we were meant for each other.”

“Maybe notrightaway. You were a little bossy at the start,” Marshall teased.

“Just at the start?” she replied.

Hand in hand, they headed back toward the main house.

“So, if we actually went to Hawaii, what would we do?”

Sam knew what he meant: If they were no longer training for the roles their families had given them, who would they be? How would they find purpose?

“Well, when she ran away, Aunt Margaret worked at a boat-rental company.”

Marshall made a strangled noise. “Pass.”

“Prince Franz himself opened a beach bar.”

“Better, but still a pass.”

She glanced over. “You told me that you want to teach your kids to surf someday. In the meantime, you could teach other kids. And me,” she added. “I’m a terrible surfer.”

“I’ve never understood that! From what I hear, you’re a great snowboarder.” He paused. “And what will you be doing, aside from learning to surf?”

Making friends,Sam thought. Meeting people who would treat her not as a princess but just as a woman named Samantha. Reading some of the hundreds of books Nina was always texting her about. Making sandcastles, exploring, leading ATV tours or scooping ice cream behind a counter.