Page 39 of A Royal Promise
She released a puff of air, somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. “I can’t even look at you. How do you expect me to talk about kissing my best friend?”
There was the word he was starting to loathe.Friend. It sliced Drew’s heart like a dagger. He wanted to be so much more than that.
“I’m the same Drew you were talking to three minutes ago.”
“You’re right.” Bri finally stood straight and peeked up at him. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He smiled at her. “Do you want to sit and talk now?”
She nodded, and he led her over to a small loveseat, barely big enough to fit the two of them.
His shoulder and knee brushed against hers as he said, “I’m sorry, Bri. I shouldn’t have suggested we—”
“It’s okay,” she said, placing her hand on his and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “If we were a real couple, holding each other close and kissing would be a usual thing for us.”
“I know, but we said no PDA unless it’s necessary to keep up our façade, and I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable in any way.” He pulled his hand back and rubbed it along the scruff covering his chin.
“It’s fine, Drew. I overreacted. It was barely even a kiss, right?”
Yes, but it was still one of the best moments of my life.
“Right,” he lied. His eyes roamed over her, taking in her tense shoulders and tight smile. “Are you okay? How are you feeling about…all this?”
“It’s…confusing.” Bri sighed. “I don’t want things to be confusing between us, Drew. You’re my best friend, and I don’t want that to change after this charade is over.” She looked down at her lap.
It’s not an act. This is all real. I love you.
“I already told you nothing’s going to change. You’renevergoing to lose me, Bri. You mean too much to me,” he said with every ounce of sincerity he could muster.
She leaned into him, wrapping her arm around his middle. He hugged her back, releasing a relieved sigh at her touch. “Do you mind if I ask you what’s confusing about it?” he whispered into her ear.
Please, just tell me you wish this wasn’t fake, and then everything can be real.
Bri was quiet for a minute, so he rubbed small, soothing circles on her back.
When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet, almost shy. “I guess it’s weird acting one way in front of people and another behind closed doors. It’s getting hard to tell the difference between fiction and reality.”
“How about we pull a Katniss and Peeta? You can ask me anytime if something isreal or not real.”
“You know I love it when you talk about my favorite books.” She laughed.
Drew leaned down to look her in the eyes. “Or I could tell you right now that I would never say or do something I didn’t mean. You’re the most important person in my life, Bri.”
Her laughter came to a sudden stop. Bri’s expression softened as she looked at him. “You’re my favorite person too.”
“Whoa.” Drew held his hands up, eyes wide. “I never said anything about you being my favorite,” he teased, gently nudging her shoulder.
She huffed out an exasperated breath. “You’re the worst. You know you love me.”
I sure do.
Chapter Fourteen
Bri
Bri had tossed and turned all night, unable to stop thinking about her kiss with Drew. She had no clue what had taken over her when she’d stepped closer to him and told him they shouldpractice. He’d even given her another opportunity to get out of it, waiting for her nod of consent before continuing with the kiss. Instead of running in the opposite direction, as she should have, she’d nodded, giving him free rein to kiss her.
Their kiss had started a little awkward and shy, but after a moment, the press of their lips had felt right—so right she’d been completely sucked into the moment and forgotten everything else around them, including the fact that this was fake.
