Page 71 of A Royal Promise
When she finally felt refreshed again, Bri pushed up to her feet. She took in one last look at the mountains around her, knowing she would be returning to Glencrest with Drew and his family later today, when the scuffling of rocks behind her caught her attention. Bri turned around and saw Drew standing a few yards away, holding a blush-pink tumbler.
“I brought you peach tea.” He raised the cup in the air between them like a peace offering.
She took the tumbler from him. “Thanks. How did you know I’d be out here?”
“This is always the trail you walk when you want to think.”
Bri took a long sip of the tea, hiding behind the cup as she processed what he’d said. She’d never realized it until these last few months, but Drew knew her better than anyone. Maybe he hadn’t made it completely obvious until now, but either way, she felt more seen and cared for and loved by him than by anyone else she’d ever known.
She thought back on what Rosalie had told her yesterday, about Drew being in love with her, and she wondered if her friend could actually be right.
“Bri?” Drew’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. “Your mind seems to be wandering a lot lately. Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I think I’m tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” She busied herself by taking another sip of the tea. “I was gonna head back to the palace… Did you come to find me for anything specific?”
His eyes dropped to the ground, and his lips pulled down. “No, I thought we could enjoy some time together. I know I’vebeen busy the past week, and I wanted to make it up to you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “If you’d rather be alone, I can leave.”
When his eyes met hers again, she could see the vulnerability there. She could see the words he wasn’t saying. He wanted to spend time with her, but he didn’t want to feel like a burden.
“I don’t mind the company,” she said, already regretting what she might say on the walk back. Bri was worried she might do something crazy, like ask him if he loves her for real and what he wants their relationship to be moving forward.
His demeanor changed entirely at her words. He stood tall with a smile on his face as he gestured to the path. “After you.”
She moved around him, and he laughed as they began their walk back to the palace.
“Do you remember when we played truth or dare on these trails?”
“I remember crushing you in a foot race.” She threw the quip at him over her shoulder with a sassy grin.
“You’re going to hold that over me forever, aren’t you?”
“Obviously.”
“Wanna play it again?” he asked.
She stopped walking, turning to face him with her hands on her hips. “Aren’t we a little old for that?”
Drew shrugged. “Maybe, but we don’t have to make the questions or dares childish.”
“Okay, but we’re taking our usual punishment off the table. We’ve made it this far without telling my parents we were the ones who broke the vase, and I’m not changing that now.”
“I can agree with those terms.”
“Since it was your idea, you can go first. Truth or dare?” Bri took another gulp of sweet tea.
“Truth.”
“What’s your biggest fear, aside from heights?”
“Rejection,” he said without missing a beat.
She glanced over at him. “Really?”
“Yeah.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I like feeling needed and accepted, whether it’s by my friends and family or the people of Glencrest. The idea of someone rejecting me or disapproving of my choices or who I am terrifies me.”
Knowing that helped her understand him more. Drew didn’t seem like the kind of person who would ever have an issue with people liking him. Everyone loved him, and she knew he would be well-respected as king when he took over for his father. But it made more sense to her now why he never seemed to voice his feelings. He was never standoffish when asked what he was thinking, but Drew always put other people’s feelings and needs above his own.
He nudged her side. “Your turn.”
