Page 62 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

Because it’s so pretty it’s alarming.

He’s still holding my hand as he flirts with her, so I discreetly wiggle it from his grip.

Reluctance masks the cashier’s expression. “I don’t know …”

“Please.” River rests both arms on the counter and actually bats his eyelashes at her. “I would really appreciate it.”

Her cheeks flush as she grows flustered. “Okay, yeah, just make it quick, okay?” She backs toward the back area and picks up a cordless phone. “My name’s Eve, by the way.” She hands River the phone while flitting a glance in my direction and subtly measuring me up. She’s trying to figure out what River and I are.

Not wanting her to think we’re dating, especially since he’s flirting with her so he can use the phone, I ask her, “Is it okay if I use your restroom?”

She nods, her eyes traveling over me. A pucker forms at her brows. “Sure. It’s right over there.” She points at a hallway to my right.

“Thanks.” I start to walk away.

“Wait—do I know you?” she asks after I’ve taken a couple of steps.

I twist back around. “No. I’m not even from around here.”

She continues to stare at me but doesn’t say a word, so I walk away and go into the bathroom. I don’t have to go, but I need a breather from the fancy café, the staring, and the lingering thoughts of how much I liked River holding my hand.

What the heck is wrong with me? I’ve never gotten so flustered over a guy holding my hand before.

Once inside the single bathroom, I lock the door and stand in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My dark hair is dripping wet, my cheeks are flushed, and my top is clinging to my skin. No wonder everyone was staring at us as we ran in. Add my disheveled appearance with River’s shirtlessness, and we probably look like north-siders. So, I look like myself.

I remain in front of the mirror for a few minutes before leaving the restroom. I’ve warmed up a bit by then, but when I return to the counter where River is waiting for me, he tells me, “Finn’s coming to get us. He’ll be here in about fifteen minutes, but we have to wait outside.” He nods subtly at Eve, the cashier, who’s now glaring at River with her arms crossed.

“Um, okay.” I trail after River as he winds around the tables and exits the café.

Once outside, the cold, wet air almost instantaneously chills my bones.

“What was that about?” I ask, nodding back at the inside of the café. “She seemed fine when I left for the bathroom but looked like she wanted to murder you by the time I returned.”

“I pissed her off,” River confesses as we stand under the canopy doming above the entrance doors.

“I got that, but how? Because you were charming the hell out of her when I walked away.”

He faces me. “She asked if she could have my number, and I said no because you were my girlfriend.”

“What? Why did you do that?” I playfully shove him. “That’s so not cool.”

“Sorry.” He barely stumbles. “I panicked.”

“You could’ve just given her a fake number.”

“I guess.” He wrinkled his nose as if that just occurred to him.

“You’re not used to getting hit on?” I question. “Because it seems like you’re not.”

He shrugs. “Almost everyone I know knows I’m betrothed.”

“Oh.” I lean back against the wall beside the door. “I’m sorry.”

Confusion swirls in his pupils as potently as the rain rivering down the sidewalk behind him. “For what?”

I shrug while rubbing my hands up and down my arms as a shiver rolls through my body. “I don’t know. For not being able to make your own choices, I guess.”

His eyes search mine. “I think you might be the first person who’s ever said that to me.”

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