Page 18 of A Royal Promise
Drew: Are you okay with my parents hosting a ball this weekend to announce our engagement? And we can do an official press release and interview the next day?
Drew: I don’t think this is something we can push off.
Bri: I’m down! You know I can’t resist a good ball *watermelon emoji* *hot beverage emoji*
Bri: They need to make a sweet tea emoji.
Drew: They really do.
Drew: Thanks—I’ll let my parents know. You’re the best!
Drew: Plus, our announcement will hopefully get Clarissa off my back. She was NOT happy when my parents let her family know there wouldn’t be any wedding bells in our future.
Bri: Ooh, I wish I could’ve been a fly on the wall for that conversation.
Bri: Anytime. I’m happy to help!
Bri: Speaking of the announcement…we should probably tell Rosalie everything at the beginning of the ball. It doesn’t feel right to have her hear the news when we announce it to everyone else.
Drew: I agree. Do you want to text her and let her know we want to talk?
Bri: Sure, sounds good!
Bri: See you this weekend. I’ll be the one in pink! *winking face emoji* *pink heart emoji*
He leaned back in his swivel desk chair, stretching his arms and wearing a smile. Drew couldn’t wait to face the world with Bri by his side.
Drew rocked on his heels near the foot of the stairs as guests continued to arrive. He’d said a few polite greetings, but he couldn’t truly focus on anything else or hold a coherent conversation when he was only thinking of Bri.
Tonight was a big night for him—for both of them—and he wanted everything to be perfect.
“Introducing Her Royal Highness, Brielle Margaret Elizabeth Clairmont, Princess of Westridge.”
Drew turned and watched as Bri walked down the short flight of steps. The whole world around them disappeared. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, whether dressed in a ball gown or sweats and a t-shirt.
Love and devotion flooded through him as she entered the ballroom. Her light-pink gown swished with each step she took. Thin spaghetti straps framed a delicate white lace bodice, the overlay fanning out across a full pink satin skirt.
No matter how this fake engagement ended between them, he would always be attracted to her. He would always love her. She’d been the center of his universe for so long—and that would never change.
The sound of her heels tapping against the gray marble flooring matched the racing beat of his heart. When Bri finally reached him, he took her hand and grazed her knuckles with a gentle press of his lips. “You look gorgeous. Absolutely enchanting.”
Her eyes were playful as she peered up at him. “Are you trying to use words from Taylor Swift songs to compliment me?”
“Is it working?” His mouth pulled up at one corner into his signature grin.
She held his gaze for a moment before saying, “You’re as rare as the glimmer of a comet in the sky.”
“A Taylor Swift lyric about space?” Drew pressed his hand to his chest and staggered backward. “You flatter me.”
She ran her fingers through her long blonde hair, perfectly curled. “Let’s go find Rosalie.”
He smiled at her before offering his arm. When she wrapped her dainty hand through and settled it on his arm, his muscles instinctively flexed.
Bri stood on her tiptoes and cupped her hand around her mouth as she quietly said, “You don’t have to try to impress me with your muscles. I already said yes to your proposal.”
“I didn’t mean to. My muscles are just so big that sometimes they flex all on their own.”
She shook her head and laughed lightly. “Likely story.”
