"So, you and Mark, huh?" Emily stares at me with a huge smirk on her face. I just roll my eyes, but I feel how my cheeks warm. "I mean," she goes on, "you always had a crush on him."

My eyes are wide as I turn to her. "I did not!"

Emily laughs while she rubs her baby bump. "Don't you remember? You were so excited to meet him!"

"Until I actually met him and realized what a douche he was." Marianne laughs and I smile. I'm visiting Emily for the day and ever since her pregnancy started to show, she's felt tired and had to hire a nanny for a while. We're at her back-garden drinking tea and scones watching Marianne try to catch the bubbles her nanny is blowing out for her.

"And now you're his girlfriend," my friend states proudly and my lips curve up. I can't help it, and I'm actually trying not to look so love-stricken.

However, as much as I like it, I still help how my chest tightens. "Is it easy to date a royal?"

"Hell no! It's like dating the whole world!" Emily laughs.

My shoulders sag. "Well, that's reassuring, thank you."

She winks at me before turning to look at her child. "Anytime."

We stay in silence for a moment and my whole mind is in turmoil.

What will people say about me? Will the paparazzi stalk me? The answer is a definite yes, I know that. I just try not to think about it. Much.

"Yet," Emily's voice brings me back to present, "I know that Mark is really into you or he wouldn't have done half of the things he has done." Her green eyes are deep as she stares at me.

"I know..."

"You do?"

I nod. "Yeah, for sure."

"Why do you seem hesitant, then?"

A sigh leaves my lips. "Well, I don't know. I had a hard time dating Scott, and he was just a DJ, now, Mark, is a bloody prince, so I can't imagine how hard it will be."

"What are you talking about? How hard will be what?"

I bit my lip. I really don't want to say it. But the truth is that it seems that I'm doomed for romance.

Emily groans. "You need to be more positive, Kate. And give Mark the benefit of the doubt. He's not really a douche bag. I mean, he's quirky in his own way, and way too self-absorbed, but he's not a bad man."

I can't help but laugh at what my friend just said.

"He's horrible yet awesome at the same time, huh?"

She smiles. "Pretty much. I think he's crazy about you, though." She leans forward and grabs my hand. "What I can assure you is that he's not Scott."

Hearing his name makes me feel like someone punched me on the stomach. He called me again yesterday, but I wasn't brave enough to answer him.

I don't know what he wants. The fact that he's calling me is freaking me out so much.

I'm pretty sure I know what Emily will say if I tell her. That he's the real douche bag in this whole thing, but I'm just trying to ignore the fact that it bothers me so much.

"Besides," Em keeps going, "it's not like you've been dating for long. How long has it been, a week?"

Nodding, I reach out for my iced tea to take a sip. "A week in which we haven't seen each other," I say smiling.

Emily snorts. "That's the whole thing about dating royals, Kate. You don't see them that much, which kind of makes it impossible to be mad at them for petty stuff like a normal couple."

"Because you're just dying to see them?"

She smiles. "I'd bet they do it on purpose."

I don't know.

I do know that I can't wait to see Mark, and even though we've been texting non-stop, I can't wait to feel his arms around me once more.

Crap.

He definitely does that on purpose!

Seven fucking days have passed since I last saw Kate.

I seriously hate having so much meetings. If I hear one more term about economy, I swear I'm going to flip. It's not like we can choose what to do, I've always thought that we're just for show.

As soon as the meeting is over, I jump out of my seat to call Kate.

"Hey." Play it cool man, play it cool. You don't want her to know how desperate you are to see her.

"Hi, stranger." I smile at Kate's nickname.

"Do you have plans for tonight?"

"Well, it's Friday night, so, yeah I have plans for tonight." My face falls.

"Huh."

"I'm waiting for my so-called boyfriend to come over for dinner. There's an Indian restaurant he likes just around the corner of my house." My lips tug up. She almost had me there. I mean, I didn't even know if I was going to be free tonight, I didn't expect her to be waiting for me.

"How about going out? There's a sushi place I want to go for the first time."

Kate keeps silent for a moment. I almost reach my car when I frown. "Kate?"

"Out? Seriously?"

I lean against my car. "Well, I don't think it's a huge deal..."

"Is it super fancy?" she asks in a high-pitched tone. Man. Don't panic, Kate.

"No, it's the opposite. Don't worry about it." I pause, "but if you want, we can get food to go."

I hear her sigh. "I don't mind." I raise an eyebrow and it's like she's looking at me because she adds, "I really don't. I just want to see you."

That makes me smile like an idiot.

"Aww have you missed me that much?"

Kate groans. "Forget I said anything!"

I burst out laughing as I get inside my car. I sober up and I say, "Kate, I'll be honest, truth is you're the first and the last thing on my mind all day long. On every bloody day. I miss you too much, so much, that I'm about to go crazy if I don't hold you in my arms tonight."

There's another moment of silence once more.

"Just hurry up, okay?"

My lips curve up as we end up the call and I start the engine. 

My whole soul warms up at his words. I roll my eyes and sit back on the couch.

The phone rings again and I answer it. "You're way too cute sometimes, Mark."

There's silence on the other side.

"Kate?"

My breath caught in my chest as I pull away the phone and look at my ex-boyfriend's number on the screen. 

Don't hate me!!! I'm posting next chapter on Friday for sure!!!! If you want to get a sneak peek, follow me on social media!