Courting Royal

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The week my dad's in town flies by – we see everything, including the adorably quaint town my grandmother grew up in, and we stay so busy that I don't have a second to think about to think about what may or may not be written about me and how my life has been turned upside-down.

That said, the principal of my dad's school does send him a People article about our dinner at Scott's that had a sidebar all about him titled, "America's Most Eligible Dad?". We had a big laugh at that.

Largely, my dad and I didn't talk about my future or Liam. But on the way to the airport, my dad turns to me and asks, "Do you love him?"

I'm so taken aback by this that I flinch.

"Is that a no?" my dad asks. "Because if you don't – or won't – then you need to tell him now."

I for sure like Liam. But it's not like we're in a normal relationship. We're not able to go on double dates to introduce each other to our friends or take impromptu weekend road trips together or just walk down the street holding hands. I don't have any idea how to gauge this relationship – and I know for sure that I'm not ready to get married yet. But...the thought of ending things now is simultaneously unbearable and unfathomable to me.

"How do you know when you're in love as an adult?" I ask.

My dad shrugs and says, "I can't tell you how to know when you're in love, Maggie. That's for you to decide."

We're both quiet and I contemplate that. If I don't know how to know when I'm in love, then how will I ever figure it out?

"For what it's worth," my dad says. "I like him. A lot. And I think the two of you are good together."

I look at my dad – who has never, ever said anything like this to me about someone I've dated – and ask, "Really?"

"Really. He adores you. The way you look at each other is the kind of gazing that inspires poetry. I know there's a lot going on, but you seem happy. London suits you."

I smile and say, "Thanks, Dad."

"Any time," he says as the car pulls into the airport. "And Maggie?"

"Yeah?"

"It's okay for you to love him. And it's also okay for you not to."

I nod and he continues, "No matter what, I'm here for you. Always."

I feel a tear slip down my nose and he gives me a huge hug.

"You're strong and smart and funny and kind and beautiful. Don't doubt yourself or lose yourself. And whatever you do, do not Google yourself."

I laugh through my tears.

"I love you," I say.

"I love you, too. Now go win over all of London like I know you can."

***

The day after my dad leaves, I have no idea what to do with myself.

I can no longer write my blog and or my columns.

I'm forbidden from using social media and am too terrified of what Rosamund and her team might do if I did to try.

I haven't read the news for fear I'll see something about myself.

So, unsure of what else to do with myself, I start watching a show on Netflix. After the third episode ends, I'm fidgety and anxious and need something to do.

I get up and clean the apartment top to bottom, and when that's over, I take a long, leisurely shower and then put on a face mask.

I look at the time, and it's still far too early to call anyone in the U.S.