Page 53 of A Royal Promise
She took them and stepped toward his bathroom. “I’ll be right back.” In her periphery, Bri saw him step toward his desk, looking at the photographs. Just before she shut the bathroom door, she peeked through the crack and watched as he took the picture with only her in it and hid it in his desk drawer, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck.
I wish I hadn’t seen that, she said to herself. Because it didn’t fit with the story she’d been telling herself at all. On the contrary, it told her Drew hadn’t wanted her to see that photo, and she didn’t have the faintest idea why.
She quietly closed the door and stripped out of her clothes before pulling on his sweatpants and rolling them three times at the waist. Bri then slid on the navy t-shirt Drew had set out for her. It felt like butter against her skin and was perfectly oversized and cozy.
I wonder if it smells like Drew.
Bri paused, looking around as if someone might pop into the bathroom door at any moment. When she couldn’t resist any longer, she brought the collar to her nose and inhaled, smiling softly when his soft scent flooded her senses. It was a little sweet mixed with a hint of spicy, but one hundred percent Drew. The scent brought an instant sense of calm to her.
She wasn’t sure if she would ever give his shirt back. It smelled too good for her to care if that was a couple-y thing to do.
Chapter Nineteen
Drew
Drew scoured through his closet, attempting to find a t-shirt and sweatpants that wouldn’t completely swallow Bri. He selected a navy t-shirt with a chest pocket from one shelf and then rifled through his small collection of sweatpants until he found an older pair that had shrunk slightly.
He carried the pile over to Bri. “Here, I think these will fit you best.”
She jumped when he spoke and turned to look at him with slightly flushed cheeks. “I’ll be right back.” Bri walked into his bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
I wonder what made her so jumpy.
She’d been standing in front of his desk, so he stepped toward it to investigate. His breath caught in his throat when he saw the picture of her from their mountain hike. The one that he had as her contact photo in his phone. The one she didn’t know he’d taken.
He grabbed the frame from his desk and tucked it into one of the drawers. Drew rubbed the back of his neck as anxiety coursed through him.
I really hope she didn’t see the photo. I don’t know how I would explain having taken it—let alone displaying it on my desk.
He looked back up as he heard the bathroom door open. The moment Bri stepped out of the bathroom wearing his clothes would forever be ingrained in his brain.
Drew couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe. Seeing her standing there in his sweats and shirt did something inside him he couldn’t explain. He was weak in the knees and breathless at the mere sight of her. Bri was his entire world, and he knew he could never go back to beingjust friends.
“This is perfect. Thanks.” She pointed back to the bathroom. “I threw my shirt in the trash and my leggings into your laundry bin. I hope that’s okay.”
He nodded, willing his brain to stop staring at her. After mentally shaking himself, he said, “Ready to head to the observatory? We can send for some food when we get there.”
She nodded, so Drew led them out of his room, down the hall, and up a set of stairs into the palace’s east wing. When they arrived at the observatory, Drew didn’t feel the sense of peace rush over him like he usually did. Instead, his eyes were drawn to the spot where he’d kissed Bri a few short weeks ago.
The whole palace was becoming overrun with memories of her. If she ended up leaving at the end of this rather than staying with him for real, he would never be able to escape her.
Bri’s eyes glittered with excitement as she stepped into the room next to him. He watched her as she took in the setup he’d prepared earlier this morning. A giant memory foam beanbag and throw blanket lay in the middle of the hardwood underneath the large glass dome. A picnic blanket covered the floor just infront of the beanbag, ready for them to eat their dinner once the food arrived.
“You did all this for me?” She looked up at him in awe, and he nodded. “How did you have time? We were gone all day.”
“I planned ahead and had the staff set it up while we were at the race.”
Her eyes searched his, like she was trying to find the missing answer to an extremely important question. Drew did his best to school his expression. It was too early to reveal his true feelings for her. He didn’t want to scare her away by sayingHey, I’ve been in love with you for a decade.
Maybe tonight, lying together underneath the stars, would be a good time to test the waters. He couldaccidentallyhave his shoulder or hand brush hers to see how she reacted.
Drew led them over to the beanbag, and Bri fell onto it, her arms spread wide.
“I’ve always wanted to do that.” She giggled.
He laughed with her before pulling out his phone. “Now I have a very important question for you. What do you want for dinner?”
“Oooh, let’s see.” She tapped her lip with her finger. “I could go for a burger and fries.”
