Page 162 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

The doors glide open, and I barrel off the elevator, relieved to be in the condo. River follows me out then places a hand on the small of my back.

“Are you good?”

I nod. “I’m fine. I just”—I gesture at the elevator—“well, you know.”

“I do. Sorry the condo’s so high. I wish we had one on the first floor.”

Did he seriously apologize for his parents not buying a lower-level condo to appease my acrophobia?

I shake my head, unable to stop a smile from pulling on my lips.

“What?” he questions with his brows furrowed.

I shrug. “It’s nothing. You’re just too nice for your own good.”

He absorbs my words with a wary expression. Before I can ask why, however, he urges me forward.

“Let’s pick you out a room so we can get some rest before it’s dinnertime.” He steers me through the doorway and into the wide hallway on the other side.

I can’t help chuckling. “Pick out a room? You make it sound like we’re going shopping for shoes.”

“In this house, it kind of is.” He smiles as he leads me through the living room and down the hallway where Lily’s bedroom is located. “I’m going to have you stay in the guest room that’s beside my bedroom.” He points at a shut door. “Which is right there.”

I drag my thumb along my bottom lip, considering. “Can I see it?”

“My room?” Surprise flashes in his eyes.

“Yeah, I’m curious what River Averson’s bedroom looks like.” I smile, but he doesn’t return it. In fact, he looks apprehensive. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” I quickly add.

“No, it’s fine.” He removes his hand from my back to scratch his forehead. “I just … Ignore me. I’m being weird.”

“You sure?”

“Absolutely.” He steps forward and opens the door. Then he moves aside for me to go in first.

I hesitate before stepping over the threshold. “Wow …” I say as I take in the high ceilings lined with beams, the ocean-blue walls that match the blankets and pillows on the bed, the framed artwork, and then, of course, the shelves covered in trophies, medals, and plaques.

I make my way over to those. “There’s so many.” I smile at a photo of a younger River running on a track. “Look, it’s a little River.”

I feel more than see him move up behind me. “Yeah, I was in like sixth grade, I think.”

“You have so many trophies and medals,” I remark. “I know you have some in your dorm room, but this is crazy. And impressive.” I flash him a smile from over my shoulder, only to find him gazing intently at me. “What?”

“It’s nothing.” He lifts a shoulder, his gaze never straying from me. “I’ve just … I never had anyone compliment me about something outside of my looks and wealth. It’s refreshing. You’re refreshing.”

You’re refreshing, too, I want to say but decide to keep that thought locked away for now.

“Hmm … I’ve never been told that before.” I face him while taping my finger against my lip. “Bossy, for sure. Annoying, yep. But never refreshing.” I dazzle him with a haughty grin.

But he remains utterly serious. “I mean it, Maddison. You’re wonderful.”

I smash my lips together for a second. “You can’t say that stuff to me.”

His confusion is genuine. “Why not?”

“Because … it makes me feel too fluttery.” I sigh. “And I need to feel still for now.”

“Sorry.” He doesn’t sound apologetic, though.

---