Manage My Heart (New Year New Me 2)

“If we do this, we can’t take it back. If he finds out we lied, he’ll be out for blood.”

“There’s never been anything we couldn’t accomplish together. Why would this be any different?”

“You believe that?”

“I know that.” I squeeze her side and encourage her to move. “Come. We don’t want to be late.”

Walking to the restaurant in the hotel, I can’t help but admire the build. Coming to the United Kingdom has always made me aware of how young America truly is. We don’t have landmarks, buildings, or historical sites the way they do. The lives of others seem to be left behind in the very stone and soil.

I’m impressed as we enter the dining room. The high ceilings with ornate decorations, the columns, and zigzag-patterned wooden floor shone to a high gloss ooze class.

“I hear you had room troubles last night,” Alby says as we enter the dining room.

“Yes. My ceiling sprang a leak in the wee hours of the morning,” Adora explains.

I pull out a chair for her at the table and push her in under the white linen cloth that covers it.

“I hope everything is okay now,” Priscila says. Her gaze darts from me to Adora. “You can always stay with me.”

“She’s staying with me while they figure things out.” I shut down her offer. “They’re booked up for the entire week, but we’re used to being in each other’s space.”

Alby’s eyes burn into me. He can be as heavy-handed as he wants when it comes to Alby Software, but this is my life. I’ve grown disenchanted with him. Crossing boundaries, pitting Porter and me against each other is old.

“This is why you don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” I hear my father’s voice in my head. I have to prove him wrong. I’m too old to start over from scratch or crawl back to my parents. This deal needs to be finalized within the week. We’ve been courting Scott Software for over six months. There’s nothing else to consider.

“Tell them where we’re headed today, sweetheart.” Mr. Scott smiles down at his daughter.

“We’re going to see Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, St. George’s Cathedral, and Bath. It’s a trendy tour. I think everyone will enjoy it. Make sure you have cameras because you’ll want to take a ton of photos.”

I look over at Adora, who pats her satchel. Of course she’s on top of things.

Priscila leans over the table, batting her false lashes. “Have you ever been to London before, Weston?”

“Many times with my family.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders slump slightly.

“But one never gets tired of seeing beautiful sights. Isn’t that right, boy?” Alby asks.

“I find I learn something new with every trip. Who you’re with can make all the difference.” I reach over and squeeze Adora’s hand.

“I have lots of things to share.” Priscila clears her throat. “With all of you. I do love to play tour guide.”

“St. George is where Harry and Meghan Merkle were married, right? I can’t wait to take pictures for everyone back home.” Adora grins.

Priscila wrinkles her nose. “It’s a shame he broke with so much tradition. I know you Americans loved it, but it was ...” she pauses, “jarring for us.”

“Oh. Do tell.” The venom in Adora’s voice is unmistakable.

“There are certain values that should be upheld, to assure the royal lineage is maintained and the practices that have held for centuries continue.”

“How pureblood and Voldemort of locals.”

“Are you referring to the Harry Potter series?” Priscila huffs. “That’s fiction. This is fact.”

“And yet the prejudices appear to be alive and well considering how poorly they treated the Duchess of Sussex,” Adora says coolly.

“I don’t believe people should be faulted for trying to protect their legacy.” She places a sugar cube in her tea and stirs. “America is so young. I think that desire gets misconstrued and lost in translation.” Priscila gives a thin smile.