Page 6 of Tempted By the Princess

“So they told you that you were getting married and then you what…? Ran away?”

I nodded. “I saw your van open and I was just planning to hide out for a few minutes but then you started driving and I decided an escape was in order. I mean, who announces their daughter’s engagement without them knowing it’s coming? I knew they wanted me to settle down, but that’s ridiculous.”

“Your parents will be worried about you though, right?”

“I texted my sister and told her I was okay but needed to get away for a while, then I turned off my phone. She’ll pass that onto them.”

Carrie shook her head. “What’s your plan?”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I figured I’d stay here tonight and figure it out from there.”

“Okay, but if I get arrested because of you, I’m going to be really pissed.”

“You won’t get arrested.” I assured her. “I came here of my own volition.”

The oven timer dinged, making us both jump. Carrie got up to retrieve the pizza, cutting it into fourths and putting half on each plate.

“Do you want something else to drink?” she asked. “Coke? Beer? Water?”

“Water’s fine thanks.”

We ate for a few minutes in silence.

“How’s your pizza, Genny?” she asked.

“Did you call me Genny?” I asked.

“Yeah Genevieve is kind of stuffy.”

“True,” I laughed. “My sister calls me Genny too. I like it. The pizza is good. Thanks for sharing.”

The frozen pizza was different from any pizza I’d eaten, but I rather liked it. The crust was thin and crispy, and it was bubbling with all the extra cheese Carrie had added.

I looked around her comfortable kitchen. It was cute but dated with a green and white checkered linoleum, dark green countertops, and white appliances. The counters were mostly clear save for a coffee maker and the knife Carrie had used to cut vegetables to add to the pizza.

“I like your house.” It was true. It felt warm and lived in. It had character in a way my own place was lacking.

“It’s pretty ordinary,” she said.

“I like ordinary.”

“What’s your place like?” she asked, then continued, “wait, let me guess. Fancy penthouse condo at the top of some exclusive building downtown, right?”

“It’s not the penthouse,” I said. “But yes, it’s an exclusive building. My parents bought it for me because it has good security, good enough that I got them to agree that I didn’t need a security detail.”

I had a sneaking suspicion they still had at least one agent on me, but I didn’t know that for sure. My sister told me I was just being paranoid about someone following me, but I didn’t totally trust that my parents were respecting my wishes completely. Then again, I didn’t mind as long as I didn’t have to see or interact with their security team.

Of course maybe I was wrong about that given how easily I’d slipped out of the hotel and escaped with Carrie.

“You’re how old? Twenty-five?”

“Twenty-eight.”

I wondered how old she was. I studied her face, noting the fine lines at the corner of her eyes, though the rest of her face was smooth. I’d guess she was in her mid-to late thirties.

“Well, no offense, but it seems like you’re old enough to live your own life and quit worrying about what Mommy and Daddy want you to do. Unless they control the purse strings?”

“I told you I work,” I snapped, feeling a bit offended despite her ‘no offense’ comment.