Page 114 of Bride By Coronation

She keeps her eyes shut and whispers in a sleepy tone, "You're awake?" Then she yawns.

Against my will, I follow suit, then answer, "Barely."

She runs her thumb over my hand, asking, "What time is it?"

"Not sure."

"Is the sun up?"

"Probably. Should I lift the shades?"

She yawns again, then releases me, turning on her back. "Okay."

I reach for the button, and sunlight gradually streams into the room as the shades lift.

She blinks a few times, yawns again, then curls into me. "Should I assume there's a bathing suit for me to wear somewhere in this room?"

I chuckle. "You assume correctly. In fact, I believe there's a drawer full of them."

She arches her eyebrows. "Did you pick them out?"

"No."

She wrinkles her nose and huffs. "Don't tell me Valentina did."

I reply, "No, Zara did."

"Good." She sits up.

I rise against the headboard, asking, "Why are you so negative toward Valentina?"

Her expression hardens and she tilts her head.

"Well? Fill me in," I demand.

She doesn't speak.

"Fiona, if I'm going to be honest with you, then I expect you to be honest in return."

She sighs. "Fine. She barged into my home unannounced and uninvited. That was after our little encounter in the restaurant."

I nod, a little irritated but also in unfamiliar territory. I'm not used to any woman being jealous of my friendship with Valentina. Part of me likes it, but it would be immature not to nip this in the bud, so I reply, "Ah. I see."

Her eyes turn to slits. "What does that mean?"

I hide my amusement, sternly stating, "It means, you didn't listen to what I told you about my relationship with her. And I'm sorry she was in your house, but she was obeying orders. It's not fair to hold that against her."

Fiona scoots off the bed and motions to a door. "Is that the closet?"

I cross my arms. "Don't ignore me when we're talking about something important."

She glares, seething, "Important, meaning Valentina?"

My amusement dwindles. I sternly retort, "Important, meaning my only friend, Zara's cousin, and a future Omni."

Her forehead wrinkles. "Zara's cousin?"

I nod. "Yes."

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