Page 65 of A Royal Arrangement
“You think so?”
“Iknowso.”
The last few days with her friends passed by far too quickly. They had visited kids at a local daycare facility per Charlotte’s request. Bridgette had wanted to spend time at the beach, so they spent a full day splitting their time between soaking up the sun and swimming in the ocean. Yesterday, per Sienna’s wishes, they had gotten massages and mani-pedis at a local spa and salon. And last night, Rosalie had thrown a girls’ night, complete with popcorn, candy, and a Disney movie marathon since Addie joined in on the fun.
Her abs were sore when she woke up on her friends’ final day in Edgemont. Apparently, she didn’t need an ab workout; she just needed to have her friends around to laugh the days away. Rosalie was truly going to miss having them there, but she knew it was time for them to all get back to their everyday lives and routines.
Rosalie walked out of her bathroom after getting ready to find fresh-cut blooms sitting in a vase on her end table. They were arranged haphazardly, but the floral smell she inhaled when she leaned down over them was heavenly.
Addie must have picked me fresh flowers from around the palace grounds. How sweet.
Today, they were doing a semi-formal photoshoot on the beach to commemorate their last day together. Rosalie double-checked her appearance in the mirror. She wore a very feminine white satin slip dress that hung just past her knees with a scooped neckline. Rosalie finished off the lookwith sand-colored espadrille platform sandals. The royal hairstylist added delicate waves to her auburn hair, leaving it flowing down her back with small twists pulling her hair away from her face. It was an effortless, beachy look that would photograph well.
She left to meet her friends and the photographer they had hired downstairs. As she passed through the hallway where Colin’s study was located, his door popped open. He stood before her, his eyes roaming over her outfit. His ears tinged pink when his eyes finally landed on hers.
“You look…” Colin paused, still staring into her eyes.
“Stupendous? Spectacular? Stunning? There are plenty of words to pick from.” Wes popped his head around Colin’s, smiling widely at her. “You are all of those, Rosalie.”
“Thanks, Wes.” She shook her head with a light laugh before looking back at Colin expectantly, wondering how he would finish his sentence.
“Radiant,” Colin finally said, and the word bounced around her mind, settling deep in her heart.
Somehow, he had chosen the one word that meant the absolute most to her.
She found herself unable to form words, so she smiled softly at him and reached out, giving his hand a squeeze in a wordless thank you.
“Is today your photo shoot with your friends?”
Rosalie internally shook herself, pulling her brain out of its stupor. “Yes, that’s where I’m headed.”
“Have fun.” His lips pulled up a bit at the corners. He started to turn around but paused before spinning to face her again. “Do you mind if Addie and I come down to take a few family pictures at the end?”
“Of course not. What’s mine is yours, right?” she teased.
Colin nodded, back to his stoic front. “Thanks. We’ll see you then.”
Rosalie floated through the hall and down to the first floor. Her heart soared from Colin’s compliment. They didn’t come often, but when they did, she could tell they were genuine. He chose his words carefully, and they held so much more weight for that very reason.
“Ooh, I love your dress, Rosalie,” Sienna cooed when she noticed her walking toward them.
Bridgette nodded. “That creamy white makes your hair stand out so beautifully.”
“You look like a beach goddess.” Charlotte winked.
“Stop.” Rosalie dropped her head. She loved compliments, but she was never good at knowing how to respond to them. “You three look amazing.”
They had all decided to wear white to stand out from the surrounding ocean view. Charlotte wore a cream-colored midi dress with a square neckline and puffy sleeves. It showcased her collarbones and made her neck look long and elegant. Sienna looked ethereal in her white lace maxi dress in a boho style with a flared skirt. Bridgette finished their crew, wearing an off-the-shoulder cream-colored maxi dress that looked divine against her olive skin tone.
“Ladies.” The photographer raised his camera in the air to get their attention. “You all look wonderful. My name is Marco.” He waved. “I’m honored to be your photographer today. Are you ready to head to the beach?”
When they all agreed, they loaded up into a golf cart waiting outside. A palace guard drove them down a dirt path, the long way around to the palace’s private beach, so they wouldn’t have to walk down the steep path and acrossthe rocks to get to the sandy area where they would be taking pictures.
Sienna sighed when the golf cart pulled onto the sandy shore with a beautiful ocean backdrop. “This view never gets old. But I’m ready to get back home and see Spencer.”
They all started walking toward the beach, taking it all in while the photographer got his equipment set up.
“Yeah, you are.” Charlotte nudged her shoulder and started humming a sound that resembledbow-chicka-bow-wow. “I know Liam is excited for me to be back. He sends me a picture of the forget-me-not flowers in our greenhouse every day and keeps telling me how he can’t wait to—”
