Page 14 of Rags to Royals

Mariah slumps on her stool and picks up her burrito. “I know. Ruby’s so sad. I hope she doesn’t listen to this episode.”

I nod. “Yeah, me too.”

Henry Dean made my little sister fall hard and fast. He fell too. I believe that. But he realized he couldn’t keep seeing her if he had to lie to Cian about it and despite her feelings for him, Ruby had my back and told him that if I didn’t want Cian to know, then Henry couldn’t say anything.

So they broke up.

Ruby insists that it was for the best and that she’s fine.

She really isn’t though.

She’s sad. And I’m pretty sure she’s cried. Ruby isn’t the crying-over-a-guy type.

I feel like crap.

So I really hope she’s quit the podcast.

Mariah’s typing on her phone. I nudge her plate closer to her. “Hey, you need to eat and get to school.”

“I know. Just a sec.”

A moment later her phone pings with a message. She grins. “Henry says they’re fine.”

I straighten. “You texted Henry?”

She looks up. “Yeah.”

“You…have his number?”

“Of course. He said to text or call any time if I need something.”

I don’t know how to feel about that. Henry Dean is clearly used to getting his way. He’s charming but bossy. He definitely always thinks he’s right. Though when he promised not to tell Cian where I am, I believed him. He has a lot of opinions, but he’s also always been respectful and kind to both Mariah and me.

It just didn’t occur to me that he might be an ongoing friend to Mariah after he and Ruby broke up a month ago.

“That’s… nice.” My daughter having a good friend who’s a bodyguard can’t be bad, right?

Her phone pings again. “He says he’s with Cian. They’re both good.”

My heart trips. Just reading his name does that to me, so hearing it out loud and getting the news that he’s fine—even though I didn’t really think there was cause for concern (just curiosity and interest)—makes my heart do a double flip.

“Good,” I say, hoping Mariah doesn’t notice my voice sounds like I’m talking through a tight throat. “So now you can go to school and not worry.”

She nods. “Yeah, exactly.”

I study her for a moment. I think she was actually concerned.

Oh boy. Her being this interested in and caring about these men that Ruby and I donotwant to see again is not good.

“Get going. And don’t forget to run the dishwasher and put the casserole in the oven when you get home.”

She slides off the stool. “I will, but then I’m going to Greta’s to work on our project.”

“Oh, that’s right.” I think quickly. “I won’t be home from the shop ’til about seven. Ruby’s bartending until five or so. Don’t worry about the casserole. Can you just grab something before you head to Greta’s?”

“Yeah,” she answers, starting for the stairs. “I’ll be fine.”

She will. Ruby and I have raised Mariah to be very independent and to be a problem-solver. “Love you!” I call after her.

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