Page 41 of Royal Reluctance

“That’s a bigif,” Hettie reminds her. “You took me curling a few times and I could barely move the thing.”

“Kalle could throw one,” Abigail says with such certainty—and more than a little admiration—that Spencer leans back to look at her.

“It kind of sounds like you might have a thing for the man with a broom.” He raises his eyebrow. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“That I had a crush on Prince Kalle for most of my life?” Abigail replies. “Well—duh.”

“You had a crush on Kalle?” Spencer cries, and Hettie shushes him while trying not to laugh too loudly.

“He was my celebrity crush.” Abigail pats Spencer’s knee, her hand lingering for a moment too long. “You were my real thing.”

“I—really?”

I’ve never seen Spencer at such a loss for words and I laugh along with Hettie. The two of us would talk about how Abigail had a thing for Spencer and how oblivious Spencer was about it. It wasn’t that he didn’t have feelings for Abigail, but I know it was the shadow of my sister who kept pushing any other woman into the background.

“Just think of how much fun we could have had,” Abigail says lightly.

“I had no clue,” Spencer marvels with an expression of disappointment.

“You’re a smart boy,” Hettie begins.

“But so very stupid,” Abigail finishes, and I get the feeling this isn’t the first time the subject has come up between them.

I wonder what they said about me.

“So, is there anyone over there in Canada that you want to tell me about?” Spencer prompts. He shifts on the couch, throwing his arm along the back, his fingers only inches from Abigail’s shoulder.

I glance at Hettie to see if she’s watching, only to find her looking back at me.

It’s like someone has flicked a lighter inside my chest.

Hettie is beautiful, even more now than when I married her. When I look at Tema, I see my sister, but now I notice how much Tema looks like her mother. The same heart-shaped face, delicate nose and chin. A mouth that curves up, always ready to smile.

I would very much like to kiss Hettie’s mouth again.

Instead, I wrench my gaze away from her. Until we have a conversation, there will be none of that.

I flick my gaze back to her, to find her still watching me.

“No one worth mentioning,” Abigail says to Spencer. “At least, no one who would keep me there.”

“Keep you there?” My tone is sharp with eagerness as I turn back to Hettie. “Are you thinking of coming back here?”

Hettie looks at Abigail and it’s like the two of them are having another silent conversation. I always hated when they did that. “I love British Columbia,” Abigail finally says. “But sometimes I miss the snow of Laandia.”

In unison, we all turn to the window where, outside, the snow has been softly falling for the entire evening.

“You’re not planning on driving back into town tonight, are you, Spence?” she asks with a gleam in her eyes.

Despite everything that isn’t said, it’s still fun to be together. The four of us spent so much time together in our youth that being back with Hettie and Abigail feels good. It feels right.

It also feels like I should have my arm around her, or her hand resting on my thigh, but we don’t touch.

It takes a lot not to touch her.

But there is someone else in the picture for her. Hettie came back to ask for a divorce, so it must be serious.

Hettie is serious with someone who isn’t me.

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