They went through Mirabell Garden and saw Pegasus Fountain. They spent a lot of time in Hellbrunn Palace. The gazebo wasn’t as romantic as she’d hoped when Chase simply gave her a smile at Charlotte teasing they could reenact the kissing scene from the movie. Then he strode outside, murmuring about checking something. Charlotte gave her a sympathetic smile, and she felt even more awful.
The Felsenreitschule Opera House was incredible, built on the site of an old rock quarry. Lizzy sang ‘So Long, Farewell’ on the very stage where the von Trapp children sang in the movie. It was delightful to be on this stage singing, but her choice of songs was prophetic.
Tomorrow, she’d tell Chase so long and farewell.
Charlotte teased Chase that with his husky and lyrical voice, he should sing. He stared right at Lizzy as he sang out, ‘Don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone’, an old eighties rock song by the band Cinderella.
Charlotte laughed at his choice, but Lizzy was sick inside. Did he want her gone? Why was he shutting himself off?
Finally, they reached the Nonnberg Convent. They couldn’t go inside the convent, but they toured the church and the cemetery. The cemetery was more incredible in person than it had been in the movie. There was a sacred feeling there, and Chase seemed to feel it too. Instead of guiding her with his hand on her elbow, he took her hand in his.
The world suddenly felt right.
They said their goodbyes to Charlotte after Nonnberg Abbey. Chase gave their day guide an extra tip. She tried to refuse it, claiming she’d been paid plenty, but he insisted.
“Last night,” Chase said, gazing down at Lizzy.
Last night, last night. The words echoed through her mind. Was he sad their time was coming to an end? What would happen when she flew home tomorrow? Chase had said Brandon would pay for her security. She wanted him to be with her, but if he was only her security and couldn’t let down his guard, maybe it would be easier to have regular security and not feel ripped apart like this.
“Does anything sound good for dinner?” Chase asked.
Lizzy fought the sting of disappointment. She’d hoped he would say they could skip dinner and kiss the rest of the time away.
“Thai food sounds amazing, but I doubt we’ll find it a second time in Austria.” She smiled up at him, but it wobbled.
“I bet we can find some.” He released her hand and pulled out his phone to search for Thai food.
Lizzy forced herself not to stare at him, or worse, grab him and kiss him. He’d made it more than clear that he didn’t want to kiss her.
She glanced around at the abbey one last time. She’d probably never see this spot again. Tourists were still milling about even though it was late in the day.
A man across the parking lot caught her eye. His shape and bearing looked familiar.
A shudder ran through her.
Instinct. That was all. It wasn’t Darren. It couldn’t be.
He turned slightly, and she caught a glimpse of his profile. She gasped and her stomach flipped over.
“What?” Chase’s gaze darted to her face.
She focused on Chase, reassured by his protective stance and his blue eyes. He might not be into her, but he’d protect her. She eased closer to him. “I think I’m losing my mind, but I swear I saw Darren.”
“Your ex?” Chase whipped around. “Where?”
She pointed the direction Darren had been. He wasn’t there now. “He’s gone,” she managed. “I must’ve imagined it.”
“Macon,” Chase commanded. “Help me search. Tony, Conrad, James, stay with Lizzy.”
Lizzy hadn’t even heard the names of their new guards, but Chase knew them.
“What does he look like?” Chase asked. “What was he wearing?”
“He’s tall, built like a bodybuilder, dark hair and eyes …” she trailed off. She hadn’t even noticed what he was wearing. “Maybe a gray shirt? It would be high quality.” She shook her head. “Chase. He’s long gone, and what are you going to do? Grab every guy who looks like that and question why he’s in Austria?”
He bit out, “If he’s following you…”
Lizzy raised her hands. She doubted Darren had followed her here. Wasn’t it Grady they were worrying about?
