Page 46 of A Royal Promise
Bri rarely craved time to unwind at home, but after a very busy couple of weeks, she was ready for a day of relaxation.
This fake engagement was turning out to be a much larger commitment than she’d anticipated. It was one thing to tell everyone they were engaged when they weren’t, but moving to a new country and spending all her time with Drew and his family was causing the situation to be even more sticky.
It had been great having her family visit for a game night, but she didn’t know how long she’d be able to keep up the ruse around them. She blushed as her thoughts wandered back to Drew’s reaction when she’d won their trivia match. She definitely hadn’t been sad when he had picked her up and spun her around in celebration.
Bri shook the memory away. She didn’t need to focus on anything that might add confusion before Drew arrived. He’d agreed to come hang out with her tonight, and she hoped it would be like old times, back when they had only been friends and she’d had no cares in the world related to their relationship.
She pulled out her phone, rereading their text conversation from earlier in the day.
Drew: Did you know one million Earths could fit inside the Sun?
Bri: I didn’t, but that’s very cool. I didn’t realize the sun is that big.
Drew: You know what I never realized? How much you listen to my space facts, Ms. Trivia Champion. *crown emoji*
Bri: It doesn’t ALL go in one ear and out the other! *winking face with tongue emoji*
Bri: Are you free to come to Hillside Cottage tonight? We could make dinner together and hang out. I could use a relaxing night in.
Drew: I’ll be at your door with sweet tea at five o’clock sharp.
Bri: *thumbs up emoji*
Glancing at the time, Bri panicked. Drew should be here any minute, and she’d completely forgotten about the cooking part of their evening. She had no idea what lurked in her refrigerator, especially when it came to ingredients she could use to throw a quick meal together.
Hurrying to her kitchen, she opened the fridge door and was pleased to find it well stocked. Someone from Drew’s staff must regularly bring her groceries since it certainly wasn’t her shopping for fresh meat and produce.
Before she could figure out a plan for dinner, a knock sounded at the door. She opened it, and a smile instantly covered her face when she saw Drew standing there with a big pitcher of sweet tea in one hand and a bouquet of sunflowers.
She let him inside and accepted the blooms, placing the vase in the middle of her coffee table. “Did you have these imported? Sunflowers are only in season in autumn.”
He shrugged off her question. “It was worth it to see the smile on your face.”
Comments like that left her belly swooping and her feelings all over the place, especially when no one else was around to hear them buther.
“Thank you. What did you do today?” she asked, but the words fell out of her mouth so quickly as she tried to change the subject that she wasn’t sure they were comprehendible.
If he picked up on her trying to switch topics, he didn’t react at all. “I attended a Royal Board meeting with my father. Since he’s trying to prepare me to take the throne sooner than expected, he’s been throwing me into the deep end with more meetings and responsibilities on my schedule than I’m used to.”
She let out a long breath. “Sounds like there’s a lot on your plate right now, between everything your dad is having you do and all the public appearances we’re making to convince the world our engagement is real.”
Drew nodded. “It’s a lot, but I wouldn’t change any of it. No one ever said it was easy being royalty. Anyway, how was your day?”
“I had a much-needed low-key day. I watchedHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Daysfor probably the hundredth time, then binged a few episodes of a new show that’s streaming. I barely got up from the couch except for when I needed to answer the door and let in your staff to deliver my breakfastandmy lunch. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
He feigned shock. “Someone had food delivered right to your door? What a wonderful idea.”
Bri shot him a look. “Mm-hmm, sure. Well, you can thankwhoevermade those arrangements.”
“I’ll be sure to pass on your gratitude. What do you want to make for dinner?” He rubbed his hands together, and his eyes lit up like they always did whenever food was involved.
“I honestly have no idea what to make.”
“Let’s see what you have.” Drew moved to the kitchen and looked inside the fridge. “Oh, this is great. You have a lot to work with.” He pulled out some fresh shrimp and Brussels sprouts before grabbing golden potatoes and basil from the bowl on her countertop. “How does marinated grilled shrimp with mashed potatoes and crispy hot honey Brussels sprouts sound?”
“You can make all that from what I have here?” Her eyes went wide in amazement.
“You bet I can.” He reached his hand out in a fist, and she bumped hers against it. “Want to be my sous chef?” Drew held out an apron from a drawer she hadn’t even known was there.
