“Things can change in a matter of weeks. You know that. What’s the real problem? You are the best PR professional the world has ever seen. What about being in public scares you so much?”
Amy could hardly get the words out, but she did. This was Petra. “I’m afraid of becoming my own mother, okay? I’m afraid of putting insane expectations on my own daughter. I’m afraid of caring more about appearances than anything else.”
“That’s not going to happen.” Petra leaned forward and put her hand over Amy’s. You’re too loving. You care too much. For god’s sake, you tried to set Artur up with the most eligible bachelorettes in the entire country while you mooned over him.”
“I was not mooning—”
“Your heart is what would make you a great princess. Don’t sit here and deny it. Plus, imagine what royalty could do for the company’s reputation. If we were the sole PR firm for the royal family...” Petra gazed up toward the sky. “It would change everything,” she whispered.
Amy laughed again. “I’m just—I guess I’m too scared to put it all out there. It could ruin me.”
“Leaving this behind could ruin you.”
Just then, there was a knock at the door and Sasha came in with fresh towels. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said. “I’ll be in and out in a flash.” She’d been avoiding Amy lately, timing her visits for when Amy was out of the room.
“I’ve got to unpack and freshen up.” Petra stood up and Amy stood with her. They hugged, and then Petra went to get her suitcase. “We’ll talk again in a little while, okay?”
“All right. I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad to be here.” Petra took a deep breath. “It’s so royal here.”
“Well, yeah.”
Amy felt lighter already.
Sasha came out of the bathroom as the door closed behind Petra, hurrying after her.
“Sasha. Wait.”
The other woman stopped and turned to face Amy, looking as wary as a person ever had.
“I’m sorry,” Amy said, meaning it from the bottom of her heart. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way the other day. It was wrong, and I hope you can accept my apology.”
Sasha nodded slowly, then gave a little smile. “It must be stressful, what you’re going through. I can forgive you for being overwhelmed.”
“You’ve honestly been—” Amy got choked up again. “You’ve honestly been wonderful. Such a support. Such a help. I don’t know—” I don’t know what I’ll do without you. Because leaving the palace meant leaving so much behind. Sasha, Artur, the courtyard where they’d made love…how could she say goodbye to any of it?
“I left your things from the trip set out on the little table in your bedroom,” said Sasha, rescuing Amy from what was quickly becoming a ridiculously emotional moment. “Your souvenirs. So you can pack them carefully, if you—if you decide to go.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve got to step out,” Sasha said, with a bigger smile. “I’m glad you came at all, Ms. Branch. Amy.” Amy went forward and hugged her, too.
Once Sasha had gone out, Amy went into her bedroom. There they were, all the little trinkets that she’d collected in every city. The little stained-glass window glinted at her from the tabletop. They were beautiful, and they’d look beautiful in her baby’s nursery—wherever that turned out to be.
It had been so much fun, being on that trip with Artur. They had stolen so many moments together. There had been so much heat.
It would haunt her forever, leaving him.
She knew that now, looking down at the things holding those precious memories of the time they’d seen all his country had to offer. If she left this man behind, he would always stay in the back of her mind.
And she would always think of leaving him as a mistake.
She picked up the stained-glass window and thought of him leaning down to talk to her, his lips brushing the side of her neck. Goosebumps rose on her skin like he was really there.
What was that saying? You only regret the chances you don’t take. Artur was a chance she was preparing not to take, and she already knew she’d regret it.
No.