Page 46 of Prince of the Palisades

To be honest, outside of Karan, I hadn’t bothered to memorize the cast or crew list. The same way I haven’t bothered learning most of my classmates’ names. Half of my teachers too.

He shakes his head. “Don’t worry. We’ll fix that. Tomorrow night.”

“What’s tom—”

“I’m officially inviting you to hang with the squad,” Karan interrupts, smile glowing brighter than the stage spotlights. “Movie night. It’s a tradition.”

“Movie night,” I repeat, considering.

Samuel wants me to concentrate on finding new ways to win over Réverie’s approval. Regain their trust. Which I’m working on. But I’m supposed to prove I’m capable of living a normal life too. That not everything I’m involved in is drama and scandal andbreaking-news-worthy.

“Sounds fun,” I say.

“Oh, it is.” Karan’s grin widens. “Great food. Stellar movie selection. Instant relief from whatever’s making you look like this.”

He mimics my expression. It’s a very accurate impersonation of resting prince face. I choke out a surprised laugh.

“We usually have it at my villa,” Karan explains, “but my parents are renovating. Mamma refuses to let the Warrens’ kitchen outshine ours.” He waves at a few cast members as they leave. No one makes eye contact with me. “We could probably do it at Lo’s—”

“What about where I’m staying?” I offer.

Karan hums, most likely weighing his options.

“I have the space. And a screening room,” I attempt. Karan’s mouth puckers like that’s the norm around here, so I add, “I’d love to host. Please.”

“Are you sure? We can get pretty rowdy.”

I snort. As if watching a movie could top anything I encountered at that Welcome to America bacchanal Grace put together.

“Positive,” I confirm.

Ishouldrun all this by Samuel and Ajani first. Royal privacy, official paperwork, security measures. But it’s just one night. A friendly hangout. Something I rarely had in Réverie outside of Kofi coming to the palace for video games or the times I snuck Léon into my private suite past midnight.

How difficult can it be?

“Sick.” Karan yanks out his phone. “I’ll let Lo know. Reiss, too.” His eyebrows waggle in a way that makes my faceuncomfortably warm. “He’ll love it. Movie night at a prince’s crib two days before his birthday—”

“His birthday?” I blink.

“Don’t make it a big deal,” Karan insists as he types. “His fam already goes overboard.”

“Of course,” I say, going for casual, even though my heart’s drumming harder than the bass in a hip-hop song.

“Bet,” he says. “Message me your addy.”

I do. This is good. A nice, normal, real Friday night hangout with my peers. With people Ilike. With Reiss.

Morgan’s words still cling to the corners of my skull like a poltergeist. But I’m not letting her warning ruin things. I need to know for myself if I can fully trust Reiss.

If this is something…more.

9

SPOTTED: REBEL ROYAL AND CROWN PRINCESS DO LA IN STYLE!

While their father, King Simon, is attending a climate conference in Norway, Crown Princess Annika and Prince Jadon were seen Saturday morning in Santa Monica’s famed Third Street Promenade complex. Exclusive photos show the royal siblings, flanked by heavy security, emerging from Hugo Boss with multiple bags in hand. The fabulously dressed duo (see our coverage of HRH Princess Annika’s best outfits!) also visited Nordstrom and Nike.

Later, HRH Prince Jadon was photo’d at Trader Joe’s with his personal bodyguard. He left with an overflowing grocery cart. How long is this new, low-key royal planning to stay in America and avoid his problems back home?

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