Page 56 of Rags to Royals

“Well, she definitely has me,” Greta says. “And you and Ruby are great role models for being strong and independent.”

“Good. We don’t always get it right, but I’m glad we’re mostly doing okay.”

They both laugh.

“But it sounds like she kind of wanted to know her grandpa? Or at least wanted him to want to know her?”

“What she said to me before is that she doesn’t need a dad or grandfather. She just sometimes wishes that not everyone knew who hers are and all the drama around them. She just wishes that if she had to have one, that he was a good guy.”

“Trust me,” Scarlett says. “I get how complicated that can be.”

“Thanks for letting me be here and involved in all of this drama,” Greta says. I can hear the smile in her voice. “Mariah is the best friend I’ve ever had. I know it sucks here for you sometimes, but I’m so glad she’s here. And I think I make things better for her.”

“Youdefinitelydo,” Scarlett says.

I love how close Scarlett and Ruby obviously are with Greta and how comfortable she clearly feels here. It reminds me of my own family and how Henry and the other bodyguards have become part of the family, not because of blood, but because of love. I also experience it tenfold in Louisiana with the Landrys. People who can make family out of anyone are special.

“I hope some of this works out for you,” Greta says. “You deserve to have some fun and happiness here too.”

I feel something twist in my chest. Does Scarlett not have fun and happiness here? I have the insane urge to step out and say, ‘let me take care of that’. Fun and happiness I can do. The frustration and possessiveness are new to me, but fun? That’s my specialty.

“Well, you know you’re part of the family,” Scarlett sighs. “I can’t imagine you not knowing about all of this.”

“I can’t believe I have to tell you this,” Greta says. “But you should definitely let the hot rich guy treat you like a princess for a little while even if you don’t want to be one long term.”

Yeah, I really like Greta.

Scarlett gives a laugh. “I think it’s time for you to go home now.”

Greta laughs. “Okay. But you know you’ll see me tomorrow.”

I hear the back door open and shut and make my move. I step into the kitchen. Scarlett does not seem surprised to see me.

“Hey,” she greets as she finishes putting clean dishes into the cupboards.

I hand over the surprise I have for her.

It’s a bag of saltwater taffy, her favorite candy when we were in New Orleans. The way she ate them, they were either already her favorites, and again, a truth she shared with me, or they were her sister’s favorite, and Scarlett realized how good they were while pretending to be Ruby.

She takes them. “You remembered.”

“I remember every single minute we spent together.”

Her smile dies, and she swallows hard.

“Do you like these? For real?” I ask.

She nods and presses the package against her chest. “Yes. I love them.”

Perfect. Day two and I’ve already found more things that were true than weren’t.

“Come out on the patio with me,” I say. I don’t mean for it to sound like a command. I meant to request spending some time alone with her. But it definitely sounded a little demanding.

Still, she nods. “We need to spend time together, right? Only eighteen days to totally turn you off.”

Yeah. Right. Can’t forget that.

She turns to the refrigerator and pulls out two bottles of iced tea. She holds one up with a questioning look, and I nod. She tucks them under her arm, with the bag of taffy, and heads for the door that leads to the patio. I follow.

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