Page 27 of Royal Reluctance

“He’s doing great,” Abigail whispers into my ear. “This is really good.”

Abigail is my best friend, but she never truly gave up her loyalty to Bo. She’s always been on my side but never fails to give me a reason or an excuse for Bo’s behaviour. Even after all these years, Abigail is convinced Bo had a good reason not to ask me to stay.

I need to tell her she’s been right this whole time.

I nod. “I didn’t know what to do. He wanted to meet her. How couldI say no?”

“You couldn’t.” Abigail squeezes my shoulder. “You did the right thing. He’s a natural.”

How can Bo be a natural when he’s had only four hours to get used to the idea that he has a daughter?

“Do you think I’ll make a good princess?” Tema demands and my heart stops. My daughter isthird in line for the throne of Laandia.She always has been, but it was easy to ignore the fact when Bo or the rest of the royal family didn’t know about her.

“Well.” Bo studies Tema, his head cocked to the side. “You like LEGO, and polar bears, and maybe boats. And Taylor Swift. Do you like to read?”

“Yes! I love to read. My favourite books are Junie. B. Jones now, but I have all the Fancy Nancy books. It’s quite the collection.”

My heart swells and Bo doesn’t even blink. “I don’t know who they are but it sounds really cool. I think if you like those things, then you’ll be a good princess.”

“Can we visit the castle?” Tema bubbles. “I want to meet the king.”

The king, her grandfather. I don’t think she’s really gotten the connection, but she’s seven. She’s doing better than I would under the circumstances. Than I am doing.

I still hold my breath at every question, wondering how Bo will react.

“Maybe we can ask your mom if you can stay there.” Bo turns and looks at me. He really is asking. He’s not about to pick up Tema and steal her away into the night, locking her up where I can’t get to her.

I never thought Bo would do that.

Only I did, because in my mind, Bo had changed so drastically, I never knew how he would react when I told him about Tema.

But now I see he’s still the Bo I used to love.

Used to. I repeat that to myself for good measure.

“Mommy!” Tema scrambles to her feet, little LEGO pieces falling as she dances over to me. “Can we go? Can we stay at the castle?”

I hiss under my breath. “Baby, can I talk to Prince Bo for a sec?”

“He’s my dad so I don’t think you have to call him ‘Prince’,” she says matter-of-factly.

Bo stands and his face is positively glowing. I know Tema’s easyhe’s my dadis playing on repeat in his head.

“No. Well, let me talk to him for a minute. Why don’t you clean up your LEGO?” I motion to Bo to follow me into the kitchen.

“Do you want me to turn up the TV so I can’t hear your talking?” Tema calls after us.

Bo chuckles.

“That’d be great, thanks,” I say over my shoulder.

Abigail waits for us in the kitchen, arms crossed as she leans against the counter. And as soon as Bo steps in, she launches herself at him.

“I should be so mad at you, but I’m so happy to see you,” she says into his chest.

I wish I could hug him so easily.

Bo tightens his arms around her waist. “It’s good to see you, Abigail.” The tension from earlier has disappeared, his shoulders no longer fixed at his ears.

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