Page 8 of A Royal Promise
She hoped it was none of the above, because all the reasons she could think of would pull Drew away from her, and she couldn’t dream of life without him in it.
When she finally lay down, Bri told herself that no matter what Drew said tomorrow, she wouldn’t let it affect their relationship. Because she was determined not to lose her best friend.
Chapter Three
Drew
Eleven Years Ago
“Come on!” Drew took Bri’s free hand and pulled her with him at a jog toward their treehouse.
“I can’t run this fast in my dress and these stupid shoes.”
Her hand slipped from his, and he turned and watched as she knelt, putting her cup of sweet tea beside her before she unclasped the straps of her short heels. Drew couldn’t help but admire her in the pink dress. She was the prettiest girl he’d seen in his entire life, and he didn’t think that would ever change.
Bri tied the bottom of her dress in a knot to the side before grabbing her shoes in one hand and her cup in the other. When she caught back up to him, there was a giant smile on her face. “That’s better.”
He returned her grin. “I think you should wear your sneakers with your dresses.”
“Tell that to my momma.” She nudged his shoulder with hers.
They walked the remaining few yards to the treehouse Bri’s parents had arranged to have built for them on the palacegrounds when they were younger. They’d thought it was the coolest thing they’d ever seen, from the wooden ladder and the arched entryway to the way it was nestled perfectly in a giant tree. Now, at the age of twelve, Drew still thought it was the coolest hangout spot.
“Do you want me to carry your drink up for you?” Drew asked.
Bri shook her head. “I got it.” She dropped her shoes onto the grass and bit down on the plastic cup with her teeth. She climbed up the ladder effortlessly, even in her ball gown. Once she reached the landing, he followed up behind her, carrying his drink between his teeth the same way she had.
When he stepped into the treehouse, Bri had already taken a seat at the small wooden table in the corner and wrapped a knitted blanket around her shoulders. He took the seat across from her and took a long swig of his drink. “I’m so happy they had sweet tea at this ball.”
“And I’m thankful for the servers who don’t report to my parents when we have more than our fair share.” Bri giggled and brought her own cup to her lips.
“Did you see who my parents forced me to talk to tonight?” Drew’s lips curled up in disgust.
“No, my parents were too busy carting me around to talk to all their other friends and their kids.” Bri rolled her eyes. “Whom did you have to talk to?”
“Clarissa.”
Her face pulled into a grimace. “Ooh. Why’d they make you hang around withher? She’s the worst.”
“I don’t know, but I’m nervous they might try to pair me up with her or someone else one day. Could you imagine anything worse than an arranged marriage?”
“That would be awful.” Bri looked at him for a minute before her face slowly morphed into a smile. “I might have an idea that could help us both.”
“I’m all ears.”
She reached into the box behind her and pulled out a piece of paper and a marker. “Why don’t we make a pact to marry each other?”
His heartbeat picked up speed, and his palms felt clammy. “You want to marry me?”
“I don’t like you likethat, silly. But we could make a promise to each other so we don’t get paired off with awful people one day. I would much rather be stuck with you.”
The idea of them stuck together forever had Drew grinning from ear to ear. “Yeah, I would rather be with you too.” He picked up the marker and pulled his lips to the side as he thought. “Maybe we should sign our names and promise that if we’re both still single by a certain age, we will marry each other.”
“Yes!” Bri nodded enthusiastically. “And if our parents try to make us marry someone else we don’t like. At least we like each other.”
“This is all good, but we need to make sure it sounds fancy,” Drew said.
“Maybe we could use a few big words? My daddy’s proclamations always have big words in them.”
