Page 48 of A Royal Promise
I can’t believe I didn’t know Drew could cook like this. He continued to surprise her the more time she spent with him. And she found it attractive that he knew how to cook, even though he was royalty and didn’t have a reason to. He had been humble enough to go to his staff and ask them to teach him something new.
Just as she’d deemed the mashed potatoes creamy enough, Drew walked back into the kitchen with a bowl of steaming grilled shrimp.
“Perfect timing.” He smiled at her, one corner of his mouth pulling up. “Let me just grab the Brussels sprouts from the oven and season the potatoes. Could you grab the honey and sriracha from your pantry?”
She handed the bottles to him, and he poured equal parts of them into a bowl and mixed them before tossing the crispy Brussels sprouts in the sauce. He then sprinkled a good amount of salt into the mashed potatoes before tasting them and declaring themperfect. Together, they carried all their dishes to the small dining table she’d prepared earlier with two place settings.
Drew pulled out her seat and made sure she was comfortable before grabbing the pitcher of sweet tea from the fridge and pouring them each a glass. He served her a plate before making his own. “Let’s dig in. I’m starving.”
She shook her head. “I thought you never allowed yourself to get to the point of starvation. Something about never being hangry?”
“Well, I’m notactuallystarving. I ate a piece of banana bread before coming here, but I do always have an appetite.” Hespeared one of the shrimp and moaned the minute he put it in his mouth. “These are delicious.”
“I would tell you to thank the chef, but since youarethe chef…” She trailed off, eating a big forkful of mashed potatoes. The flavors danced in her mouth in perfect harmony.
Drew really knew what he was doing when it came to cooking. She wouldn’t ever say it out loud, but she had to admit, she had really liked watching him do it.
Chapter Seventeen
Drew
Drew came out of a meeting with his father and Glencrest’s Royal Board with a giant smile.
It was impossible not to be ecstatic when the woman he loved had invited him over for a date. Okay, maybe she hadn’t exactly used the worddate. But he was holding onto whatever hope he could when it came to their relationship, and this felt like a step in the right direction.
He made his way to Hillside Cottage as quickly as possible, reading through their texts as he walked.
Drew: Did you know that we know more about our moon and Mars than we do about our oceans?
Bri: Isn’t that more of an ocean fact than a space fact?
Drew: A little bit of both, but isn’t it wild? I know I’m obsessed with the solar system, but maybe I’ll start learning about the ocean next.
Bri: I’m fine with the switch to ocean facts in the future, as long as you promise never to make me do a cage dive with sharks.
Drew: Aye aye, captain. *saluting face emoji*
Bri: I know it’s a little last minute, but do you have lunch plans today?
Drew: I’m free after I meet with the Royal Board. What’s up?
Bri: Meet me at Hillside Cottage after? I’ll take care of everything!
Drew: Sounds good *smiling face emoji*
He finally reached the cottage, and Bri opened the door before he could knock, wearing a grin. Light-blue and white paper streamers hung from the ceiling around the living room, and the table was set for two with steaming bowls of food.
“What’s all this?” Drew asked as he stepped in, taking off his suit coat and laying it over the arm of the couch.
“I wanted to do something to celebrate your regatta win, so…ta-da!” Bri flung her arms out beside her. “I know it’s a few days late.”
He pulled her into a bear hug. “This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you,” he whispered into her ear.
“Oh, this is nothing. I’m sure people have done much nicer things.”
But they’re not you. Everything meant so much more when it came from Bri.
“Anyway, we should eat before it gets cold.” She led him over to the table. “I attempted to make lunch. I’m not much of a cook, so I’m not sure if it’s good, but I got the recipe from your head chef.”
