Page 56 of A Royal Menace

“No one does,” I say, then inhale deeply. “This year, someone answered. Hope’s family must’ve finally gotten around to disconnecting her phone service, because someone else got her old number. She texted me back, and we’ve been texting each other almost every day since then.”

“She?” Linc asks.

“Yeah. We agreed in the beginning not to give each other any personal information. You know, in case one of us was a scammer, or something. It’s been really nice. I feel like I can talk to her about anything.”

“So, what? You’re feeling torn between this mystery woman and Callie?”

“No,” I say quickly. “It’s nothing like that. Elle––that’s her code name, Elle––is a great friend. Or pen pal, or whatever. But there’s been nothing romantic between us.”

“Okay. What’s the problem?”

“Yesterday,” I say on a long exhale, “I asked Callie for her phone number so we could stop conversing via email.”

“You don’t have her number? Haven’t you guys worked together for years?”

“That’s beside the point,” I say. “The point is, Idohave her number.”

He’s silent for several long beats, processing that cryptic remark, then gasps and says, “No. Don’t say it.”

“ElleisCallie.”

“Holy shit. Talk about a small world. What did she say when you told her?” he asks, and when I don’t answer right away, he adds, “Royal? What did she say?”

“Linc––”

“Oh, my God. You didn’t tell her,” he cuts in, his tone accusatory.

“How could I?” I ask defensively. “She trusts Emmett way more than she trusts me. If I told her the truth, she’d think I knew all along and was playing her this whole time.”

“Who’s Emmett?” he asks.

“Me. That’s my code name.”

“Emmett and Elle? Like fromLegally Blonde?”

“Focus, Linc.”

“Sorry. Sorry,” he says, and I give him a moment to organize his thoughts. Finally he says, “How did you get out of giving her your number after she gave you hers?”

“I told her we should use Cackle, instead. Direct messages are more secure.”

“God, Royal. You need to tell her the truth, man. As soon as possible. This isn’t something you can hide forever. And you shouldn’t, even if you could. Relationships are built on trust. Next time you see her, just tell her you were shocked and panicked. She’ll understand as long as you come clean the next time you see her.”

“She stayed over last night,” I admit on a low mumble.

“What? And you didn’t tell her?”

“I was going to,” I say loudly, getting defensive again. “But she looked so amazing and wanted to have a nice night…fuck, I chickened out.”

“And you slept with her.”

“Yes.”

“Royal,” he groans. “You just made it a hundred times harder on yourself. You need to tell her. Today. Throw yourself on her mercy and pray you get brownie points for coming clean before she finds out from someone else.”

“Someone else?” I ask.

“You work together. I’m assuming other staff members have your number?”

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