Page 16 of A Royal Promise
“You might want to sit back down for this, Caroline.” Drew gave her mother an easy smile before leading her back to the chair across from them. He rejoined Bri on the couch, grabbing her hand and intertwining their fingers again like it was something they did all the time.
The gesture steadied Bri—more than she expected. Drew was still her rock, anchoring her in a moment when she needed a sense of calm.
She gave his hand a small squeeze, which he must’ve taken as an invitation, because his thumb started rubbing circles on the back of her hand.
The moment everyone was settled, Drew started talking. “We haven’t picked a date. We want to enjoy our time as an engaged couple for a while, so we’re thinking maybe sometime next year, but we’re not locking anything in quite yet.” He lifted their hands slightly. “I can’t speak for Bri, but I’m assuming she won’t want to go dress shopping until closer to the wedding.”
She nodded emphatically. “Yes, definitely not for a while.”
Disappointment covered her mother’s features, but she quickly righted herself. “Oh, all right. Can we at least hear the story of when you realized you were in love?”
“That Icantell you.” Drew leaned back into the couch cushions. “I’ve thought Bri is beautiful for a long time. I mean, have you looked at her?” Bri blushed. “Anyway, I had a crush on her for a while, and then when our families journeyed to Edgemont together, we were talking out on the beach, and I realized I couldn’t live another day without letting her know how I felt.”
“That’s so sweet.” Her mother pressed her hand to her heart. “What about you, Bri? When did you know?”
Bri swallowed. She’d expected Drew to talk the whole time. She was never the best at thinking quickly on her feet. “Oh, it wasn’t really until he told me how he felt that I considered my feelings for him. I think after being best friends for so long, it took me a little bit of time to realize I could see him in a romantic light.”
“Well, I’m so happy you finally did.”
Drew nodded in assent. “Me too.”
When her parents finally finished bombarding them with questions, Bri walked Drew outside, stopping halfway to his black SUV so their conversation wouldn’t be overheard.
“That was a lot.” She sighed, rubbing her temples. “Are you sure we can do this? Think about how much worse the questions will be with the paparazzi.”
He opened his arms to her, and she fell into them, pressing her head against his chest and listening to the cadence of his heart. “You did great,” he whispered into her ear. “Thank you so much. I’m so thankful to have you in my life. Not many people would—”
“Pretend to be your fake fiancée?” Bri cut in, saying the words with as much sass as possible.
Drew chuckled. “Exactly. I don’t know what I would have done without you. I can’t thank you enough.” He gave her one final tight squeeze before stepping back and looking at her with the kindest expression, his eyes soft and full of care. “I know this situation is a lot, but we’ll make it through. Together, we can handle anything.”
She grinned up at him. “I’ve got your back if you’ve got mine.”
“Always,” he responded with a goofy smile, his mouth pulling up at one corner. Drew walked the remaining distance to his car, pausing to offer her a quick wave before getting in.
Bri remained outside, watching his car drive away until it was only a small black dot in the distance as she processed everything that had happened. She hadn’t expected to become a fiancée today—a fake one, but a fiancée, nonetheless.
She reminded herself she was being a good friend, saving Drew from a desperate situation. She knew he would’ve done the same thing for her in a heartbeat if it had been her parents trying to force her into an arranged marriage. But she couldn’t help but think she’d just made a colossal mistake that could impact their friendship forever.
Chapter Six
Drew
“Drew, there you are.” His mother rushed over to his desk as fast as her short legs would allow. “Caroline called and told me how you and Bri fell in love.”
He straightened the papers in his hand before placing them back in their file, trying to look nonchalant. “Is that so?”
“Yes, she’ll never let me live it down that she heard it first.”
“Maybe if you hadn’t tried to force me into an arranged marriage with Clarissa, I would have shared it withyoufirst.” His eyes narrowed as he teased his mother.
“Now, that’s not fair,” his mother pouted.
“Isn’t it?”
“Oh, fine,” she conceded. “Are you free to come talk about wedding plans with your father and me? It shouldn’t take long.”
“Mom, I told you we want to wait.”
