Page 26 of A Royal Promise
“Some do, but there are some articles out there questioning it. They think there’s more to the story and have promised to dig until they find the truth.” He took a sip of his coffee.
“I mean, there is more to the story.”
“But we can’t have them thinking that.”
“What are you suggesting we do?” Bri yawned.
He paused, unsure how she would react to his question. “How do you feel about moving into Hillside Cottage?”
“Isn’t that the cottage on your palace property where we would live if we actually got married?”
His heart sped up at the thought of living together with Bri as a married couple. Drew nodded, trying to play it cool, but then remembered she couldn’t see him. “Yes, until I ascend the throne.”
“You think it would help if I lived there?”
“People think something is up, and I think the perfect way to convince them we’re serious about each other is to have you move here. It would show we’re taking the next step in our relationship, and it would give us the chance to attend more public events together.”
After a stretch of silence, she finally responded, “A year is a long time…”
“I don’t expect you to live here the whole time, just long enough for us to attend some events to get the press off our backs. Plus, I’m sure Clarissa’s parents will find her another suitor in no time, and then we can stage our amicable split.” He sighed. Drew knew he was asking a lot of her by suggesting she move here. “If this is all too much—”
“I think I can make it work,” she interrupted him. “Just let me run the idea by my parents before I commit to anything.”
“Yeah, of course. Whatever you need.”
“I’ll call you back in a few.”
Drew tapped on the arm of the wingback chair, anxiously waiting for Bri’s picture to pop back up on his phone screen. Maybe this was a terrible idea. She loved a good adventure, but Bri also loved Westridge, and it was too much of him to ask her to leave her home.
Eight minutes later, his screen lit up again with her face, and he answered after the first ring.
“Hey, Bri. I shouldn’t have asked you to—”
“I’ll do it.”
“You will?” His eyes went wide. He’d thought for sure this would be a harder sell.
“I promised I would help you not have to be with Clarissa. If it takes me moving there for a while, so be it. I’m working on a project for a family center here that will still require some of my attention while I’m there, but otherwise, I’m all yours.”
“Have I ever told you you’re the best ever?”
“And don’t you forget it.” The sass in her tone made him smile. “Okay, but now about the real thing we need to discuss. The media we can handle. A volcano bigger than an entire state? Now, that’s terrifying.”
Bri had officially moved into Hillside Cottage at the end of the week, her bodyguard, Bastian, grumpily carrying boxes at her side. It was nice having her close by. She still slept in until nine every morning, missing breakfast, but she joined his family in the palace for lunch and dinner most days. It was the most time they’d spent together maybe ever, and Drew didn’t plan to waste this opportunity.
He intended to show her—somehow—that he was the best man for her. If, by the end of their charade, she didn’t reciprocate his feelings, he would figure out a way to let her go romantically. The thought made his heart sink in his chest and his stomach churn.
“Drew, are you ready?” Bri’s voice called out from the other side of his study door.
He walked out and joined her in the hallway, wearing a smile to hide the storm of emotions he was feeling inside. “Ready. Let’s go.”
As they made their way to the waiting car, Drew took in her outfit. She wore a light-blue skirt that hit her mid-calf, a long-sleeved white ribbed turtleneck tucked into it. The look was finished off with her favorite white platform sneakers, and her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders in perfect waves.
He helped her into the black SUV and then followed her in. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Thanks.” She smiled at him. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
Drew looked down at his khakis and white button-down. “This old thing?” He gestured to his outfit. “I’ve got nothing on you.”
