Page 107 of Royal Reluctance

“Me, too,” Abigail cheers.

She hasn’t let go of my hand since we got in the car. “Are you sure it’s okay that I come,” she whispers as the boys start talking.

“Yes,” I assure her. “You’re a part of this as much as I am.”

“Not as much as you.”

“Yeah, well… Spencer clearly wants you along.”

Abigail shrugs, her gaze on the back of his dark head. “I’m not sure, but I’m having fun. Not as much fun as you, Princess Hettie.” She bumps my shoulder. “It’s going to take some time to get used to that.”

“Like forever.” I rub a finger over my new ring. That hasn’t taken that long to get used to, but the title, a new way of life… “What are you going to do?” I ask Abigail. “Obviously, I’m not going back to Victoria. But if you like it there—”

“Not enough to stay by myself.” She laughs. “I thought I’d go back and pack everything up. You can come with me, if you like, for a few days. Close up things.”

“I have to tell Granddad,” I muse.

“You could bring Bo along and then have him fly back with Tema for some Daddy-daughter time while we figure everything out,” Abigail suggests.

I give her a curious glance. “Have you been planning this?”

“Since I saw the two of you together,” Abigail admits with a laugh. “It was only a matter of time, Het. This is the best outcome for all of you.”

“I think so, too.”

“Although I’m not sure I’ll let Mrs. Theissen be your primary babysitter,” she pouts.

“She really wanted to stay with Tema.” It had been Mrs. Theissen who insisted Abigail join us. Bo wanted me to be with him when he told his brothers, and I wanted to go so I could tell Mabel at the same time.

“I have a feeling she won’t be alone for long,” Odin cuts in.

“Dad couldn’t stop talking about Tema,” Spencer adds. “She’s not going to get much sleep tonight with them watching her.”

“It’s two nights in a row,” I groan. “I feel like a bad mother.”

“You’re the furthest thing from a bad mother,” Abigail assures me.

Bo doesn’t say anything. Bo sits, head bowed as we talk and laugh on the drive to The King’s Hat. He’s so quiet that I start to wonder what’s wrong. Is this not what he wants? Did he make a mistake?

“What is it?” I demand as soon as we pile out of the car. I stare at his eyes, searching—

There’s wetness around his eyes, and all I see in them is love.

Lots and lots of love.

“I can’t believe this is really happening,” he says in a gruff voice and pulls me close.

I clutch his jacket. “I was afraid you thought—”

“No.” He cups my face with his big hands. “Don’t ever think that. This is what I want.Youare what I want. What I’ve always wanted.”

And then his lips brush against mine, so warm in the cool air. It’s only a soft touch, but the way Bo looks at me after…

I reach up on my tiptoes and kiss him, pressing my lips against his like there’s nothing as important in the world.

That’s how he makes me feel.

“Dude.” There’s laughter as Spencer jostles Bo’s shoulder. “We doing this?”

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