Page 30 of Rags to Royals

I’vebroken her heart before. I spent years afterward trying to make it up to her. Ruby has always been there for me. And now, because of me—because of Cian—Henry is back to potentially make that heartbreak worse.

So I stop straining against Cian and let him carry me into the kitchen. This is done. Henry told Cian where I am and now they’re here. Now I just have to deal with this. Withhim. And get rid of him as quickly as I can.

But as I let the feel of having Cian against me, the heat and firmness of his body sink into mine, his familiar scent, the feel of his arms around me, the actual impression of comfort which shouldn’t surprise me, and actually makes tears prick at the back of my eyelids, I realize I don’t know what to do.

But I’m not so sure that I can say goodbye to this man again.

He stops once we’re in the kitchen and lets my body slide down his until my feet touch the tile floor.

He doesn’t really let me go. He simply leans back. His hands go from my waist to my face, cupping my cheeks as he searches my eyes.

“Hey, Glinda.”

My heart flips and I feel my lips curl completely independent of my brain.

Glinda. The nickname he started using for me after I told him about my mother’s obsession with the Wizard of Oz and how when she found out she was having twins, and only one could be Ruby, she floated the idea of using Glinda for me.

Thankfully, my grandmother talked her out of it and convinced her to just find another word for red to go with Ruby.

Cian had been delighted to learn about my mother Judy Gale who grew up in Kansas and became obsessed with Judy Garland and the character of Dorothy Gale. She has several editions of the book, including a rare second edition. She also has the movie in various formats, along with so many collectibles she has an entire room in her house dedicated to the story of the girl who’d been swept away to the Emerald City, met an entourage of weirdos, and learned a huge lesson about home. She’d even owned a Cairn Terrier named, of course, Toto, when she was a teen who lived long enough to be Ruby and my first dog.

Cian had immediately latched onto Glinda as a nickname. He had also called me his “little witch” and his “good witch”, saying I’d enchanted him and put a spell on him.

Glinda had always come out with a note of affection that I had tucked into my heart. Hearing him use it now knocks several bricks out of the wall that I have tried to erect between me and this man.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” I say, shaking my head.

His hands cup my face, and his thumbs move over my cheeks. He gives me a small smile. “Really? You can’t believe it?”

“It’s been a long time. You should’ve moved on.”

“I don’t think that’s how this works.”

“One-night stands? Getting dumped?” But my voice lacks the snark I really should be using.

“We both know you didn’t dump me.”

“Then what was that sneaking out the next morning?”

“Running scared.”

I suppose princes are born with a little extra ego. I cock an eyebrow. “Scared of what?”

“Falling in love in less than seventy-two hours could freak someone out.”

I immediately start shaking my head, but he’s holding me so I can’t move much. See, this love thing is the whole problem. He told me he was falling and I…okay, I freaked out. “You’re not in love with me.”

His smile dies, but he continues to hold my gaze. “No, I’m in love with Ruby, right?”

Well, at least Henry explained that to him. “Yes.” I hate telling him that. But I wouldn’t change that weekend for anything. It was amazing, and if I had to do it again, I would. Exactly the way I had.

“I’m sorry I lied to you, but it was my chance to let go, to just be a little different than I usually am.” I pause. “Or a lot different.” I swallow. “I’m sorry I led you on.”

He studies me for a long moment.

Then he leans in and kisses me.

I probably should’ve seen that coming. But as soon as his lips touch mine, I have no choice but to kiss him back.

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