Page 78 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

I’m not thrilled about spending money on food tonight, but it should only cost me a couple of bucks. And yesterday morning, I found a five-dollar bill in one of the public restrooms here, which is nicer than any bathroom I’ve been in. There were even mints to take. Seriously? This place astounds me on a daily basis, even after being here for a week.

I still need a damn job, though. I’m starting to get desperate enough that I’m considering asking Lily if she knows of anything. She’s a royal, so she has to know the city better than I do. I need to get hired quickly not only before I run out of cash, but I want to use that to my benefit when I have to attend my court date. It’ll help me out if I have a job along with classes. It’ll make the judge see me as responsible, and if I get community service, my time might be lower because I’m so busy with my responsible duties.

At least, I’m crossing my fingers that it’ll work out that way.

I slide my laptop off my lap, drag my butt off my bed, and walk into the living room to see if Lily’s out there. The room is empty, but her bag is on the sofa and her bedroom door is shut, so I’m guessing she’s in there.

Sucking in a breath, I cross the room and lift my fist to knock. I hesitate. I hate asking for favors. It makes me feel pathetic. If I don’t ask her, though, I’m screwed because I’ve tried everywhere to find a job with no luck at all. I’m desperate and don’t know what else to do other than seek help.

Help. Blah. It’s such a sucky word to me, attached to definitions of strings and disappointment. Like I said, though, I reek of desperation right now, which is almost as stinky as my BO earlier.

I tap my knuckles on Lily’s door before I can chicken out and hear a crash and a loud bang.

“Just a second,” Lily calls out, sounding breathless. Then her bedroom door cracks open, and she peeks out. “Oh, hey, what’s up?”

“Um … I wanted to talk to you about something, but if you’re busy, I can do it later,” I tell her, getting the impression she might not be alone in her room.

“Yeah, if it can wait, that’d be awesome … I’m working on some stuff right now … new yoga moves. Later tonight?” Her words rush out of her.

I shift my weight, wanting to end this conversation because I’m fairly certain she has a guy in her room. “I can’t. I’m going out with River.”

Her eyes widen. “What? Like on a date?”

“No, just as friends,” I explain. “We’re going to a taco truck.”

Lily rubs her lips together, considering this. “Give me, like, two minutes, and I’ll be out.” She holds up a finger.

“You don’t have to …” I trail off as she shuts the door.

“Whoa, River’s going on a date,” someone whispers from inside her room.

The voice is male, so I guess I was right about the hooking-up thing.

I wait for her on the sofa, picking at my fingernails and wishing I hadn’t knocked. Not that Lily was rude about it or anything. It’s just weird I interrupted … Well, whatever I interrupted.

“Okay, I’m all yours,” she announces two minutes later as she exits her room. She smooths her hands over her blonde hair and then plops down into a chair across from the sofa. She is wearing silk pants and a white vest.

“You were doing yoga in that?” I tease her.

“Oh … I …” She glances down at her outfit. “I changed. That’s what the two minutes was for.”

I press back a smile. “Sure it was.”

She groans, her head bobbing back. “Fine. I had a guy in my room, but I can’t tell you who it was.”

I arch a brow. “Sounds scandalous.”

She dithers, chewing on her lip. “It kind of is.”

I straighten. “I’m intrigued.”

“I wish I could tell you more, but I can’t say who it was.”

“I probably wouldn’t even know who it was if you did.”

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “He’s from a family that my family loathes. I’m not even sure he likes me. He might just be using me for sex.” She pauses. “Have you ever had this problem? Because I feel like it’s reoccurring for me.”

“I’m a virgin, so not really,” I say then shrug when she gape at me. “What? I’d rather stay a virgin than risk getting pregnant. I’m just not ready to be a mom.”

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