Page 32 of Reluctantly Rogue

Diarmuid wanted me here for some meetings tomorrow.

I live two hours from the palace and, while I could have made the trip in the morning, I enjoy coming early, having dinner, staying over, and enjoying a more relaxed morning before the meetings start.

I’ve done this dozens of times.

But I was especially eager to come this time.

Because I’d planned this surprise for Jonah’s birthday.

That doesn’t explain the cookies. That actually makes it weirder.

These are for Jonah’s birthday.

Jonah? Torin’s bodyguard?

Yes.

Why?

It’s his birthday.

You said that. Why are you making him cookies for his birthday?

He’s my friend.

I’ve never had a man who is a friend before. I havea lotof acquaintances. But no real friends. Not like Astrid is with Miles.

Well, until now.

In fact, in the past nine months or so, Jonah has become my best friend. I don’t know how he would feel about knowing that, but he knows things about me no one else does. Especially about one important area of my life. My love life. My sex life.

Or lack thereof.

He knows that Torin and I aren’t in love. He knows we aren’t sleeping together. And he knows that I’m not sleeping with anyone else either. He just…knows. Those are things I haven’thad totell him.

But Ihavetold Jonah things I can’t tell anyone else.

I can’t tell my mother when I’m pissed at Torin. I can’t tell her that Torin doesnotwant to marry me. She wants to believe Torin is perfect—as a future king and my future husband.

I can’t tell Diarmuid when I’m frustrated with Torin’s reluctance toward…everything. BecauseIwant him to think Torin is getting more responsible and taking things seriously. Because he has to be king. At least long enough to change the law that says an O’Grady must sit on the throne.

I can’t tell my friends or sister that I’m not attracted to my pseudo-fiancé. They’ll think I’m crazy or that I’m just being stubborn. Torin is handsome, charming, funny, and intelligent. He seems like the perfect man. Every single media piece written about him goes on and on about all of those things. I might be the only woman in the world whoisn’tattracted to him.

But I can talk to Jonah about all of these things. Because he knows Torin. He knows our situation. He knows that neither of us wants to bemarriedto the other and that we’re at a stalemate about what happens next.

I stand, tapping my finger against the marble countertop, waiting for her response. It’s taking a really long time.

That’s…interesting.

I frown. It is?

How so?

Is baking a new hobby for you I didn’t know about?

No. I wouldn’t say that.

Did you make Torin cookies for his birthday?

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