Page 28 of Royal Reluctance

“It’s been a long time.” She pulls back and I notice her cheeks are damp like mine. When she came with me, Abigail left her family behind, but also her friends. Bo was her friend, too. And Spencer. She gave both of them up for me.

Bo nods with a hint of a smile hiding in his beard. “Thanks for helping Hettie with everything.”

“Of course.” Abigail turns to me, swiping at her cheeks. “That’s it? That’s the big reveal?”

I know how she feels. How can something that has caused so much concern and sleepless nights end up being so anti-climactic? Seeing Bo with Tema… seeing how Tema just took it all in stride… “I don’t know what to say,” I admit. “I didn’t expect—”

“It to ever happen?” His lips quirk. “She seems cool.”

“She is amazing,” Abigail emphasizes.

“Yeah, but you’ve spent her whole life with her. I want to get to know her.” He turns to me. “I’d like you to stay at the castle while we figure this out.”

My heart stops beating because this is when Bo takes her from me, using his royal power to take my daughter—

“Both of you. You’re welcome to stay at the castle as well.” He gives Abigail a sideways glance. “Since I bet I’m not going to be able to keep you away from her.”

“I’ve spent every day with her,” Abigail retorts. “I love her more than life itself.”

“I’m glad. But you say that like it’s my fault. I didn’t even know that kid existed until a couple of hours ago. Now I want to make up for lost time as quick as I can.”

“You sent Hettie away,” Abigail points out before I can say anything. She’s always been my protector, but this is my fight. “That makes it your fault.”

“No, I actually didn’t.” Bo’s shoulders slump. “But I didn’t do anything to make her stay, either.” He glances at me. “Stay. At the castle.”

My heart stutters to a full stop at the wordstay,but I don’t let on. “I wish you’d spoken to me first before you said anything to Tema. That’s a big part of parenting.”

“I wouldn’t know.”

He says that with no expression, like it’s not even a dig at me.

“But I’d like to,” he adds. “My father isn’t back until tomorrow morning. I’d like him to meet her.”

“Just like that? You’re not going to give him any warning?”

“I thought I’d talk to him first. This is something you do face-to-face. But why don’t you come with me and get settled?” Bo pauses, his gaze locked on mine. “Please.”

10

Bo

Ithought Hettie wouldput up more of a fight, but she doesn’t even give it much thought before she nods sharply.

“I think that’s a good idea,” Abigail says.

Hettie’s eyes widen. “Really?”

“It’s time,” she says firmly, and that’s when I know Abigail might be a little on my side with this.

We were good friends once, and maybe someday—

I can’t let myself think about someday. One day at a time here.

Hettie tells Tema we’re going to stay at the castle for the night, and the kid erupts like a firecracker, bouncing up and down as her LEGO creation breaks into pieces. I help her clean it up as Hettie and Abigail have a whispered conversation.

“They’re talking about you,” Tema says, crawling around on hands and knees to get the last of the pieces.

“Yes,” I agree, dumping a handful of bricks into the box.

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