Page 12 of An Inconvenient Plan
Her phone chimed with a text. She didn’t recognize the number.We’re here.Her heart jumped. Royalty on my doorstep!
She texted back:On my way.
She’d arranged for the royal siblings to come to the back door of Ludbury House, out of sight of Main Street. There was a parking lot back there. She rushed out of her office and through the long hallway that led to the back of the house. Rose raced ahead of her, nearly tripping her on the way as she barked her sweet little head off at the visitors. Rose normally only let out one short bark at clients who came in through the front door. Her fur baby was smart enough to know it was an unusual occurrence for someone to go to the back door.
Hailey arrived in the kitchen, glimpsing her visitors through the window of the back door. Six people stood there, four burly men wearing black blazers along with the prince and princess. She recognized the royal siblings from their online pictures. Princess Silvia Rourke, looking much more girl-next-door than her glamorous pictures online, with her dark brown hair up in a high ponytail, peeked her head around a large man’s shoulder to beam at her.
Hailey smiled and waved. Then she scooped up Rose and pulled the door open. “Welcome to Ludbury House! So nice to meet you all.” She stepped back and one of the burly men stepped forward.
“Security,” the man said. “May we look around?”
“Of course. It’s just me and Rose here.” She held up Rose a little, who’d stopped barking to check everyone out. “We’ll be meeting in the ballroom.”
The guard left to scout the mansion, and two more men followed, fanning out in different directions.
Silvia went right to Rose. “Aren’t you a cutie? Hello, Rose. I’m Silvia.” She met Hailey’s eyes, her hazel eyes warm. “Nice to meet you too, Hailey. May I hold her? I’ve so missed having a dog at university.” Her accent held hints of French and something Hailey couldn’t quite place. It was unique and pretty.
“Of course.” She handed Rose over. And thenhewalked in. Prince Phillip, the hot one, even more stunning in person. Tall and fit, his wide shoulders filled out a crisp white button-down shirt that complemented the tanned tone of his skin with charcoal gray tailored pants and Italian leather loafers. His dark brown hair was thick and tousled like he’d run his fingers through it, his blue-green eyes twinkled with good humor, and he had high cheekbones she’d kill for, and that devastatingly sexy smile. She flushed hot from head to toe. Oh my God. What if they hit it off? What if she married him and became a real princess? Not just the sarcastic kind that Josh called her.
“Hailey,” he said in the same charming accent as his sister, “it’s wonderful to meet the Queen of the Happy-Ever-After in person.”
She beamed. “You’re wonderful too! I mean it’s so wonderful to meet you too.” She offered her hand to shake, and he lifted her hand to his lips, his stunning eyes the color of the sea locked on hers. Her belly dipped.Ahhhh!The hand kiss was so old-fashioned, so gentlemanly romantic. Her secret desire for a man straight out of a romance novel—equal parts dashing and romantic—was actually coming true.
He slowly released her hand, his eyes never leaving hers. Her lips parted, her pulse thrumming through her veins.
“Knock off the romance routine, Philly,” Silvia said. “We’re here for me, not you.”
Reality intruded, and Hailey stifled a sigh. This was just standard routine for Phillip.
Phillip shot a dark look at his sister. “And we’re here because I set it up, so cool it.” They sounded just like normal siblings.
The last security guy came in and locked the door behind them. “I’ll escort you to your meeting place.”
“Sorry about the security,” Silvia said. “My big brother is overprotective. Two of them are for me; the other two for Phillip.”
“No problem,” Hailey assured Silvia. “No problem” was her go-to phrase for most anything the bride said. Some things were easier to accommodate than others.
“She means a different big brother, Gabriel, the heir, not me.” Phillip gave Hailey a charming sexy smirk. “I’m much more freewheeling.”
She got a flutter in her belly, seeing his sexy smirk in real life after admiring it online for so long. She could see why women threw themselves at him. “Can I get you a drink or snack?”
“No, thanks,” Phillip said.
Silvia handed Rose back to Hailey. “Actually, I’m going to dinner after this with my fiancé’s family.”
Hailey quickly picked some Rose fur off Silvia’s pale peach short-sleeve sweater. At least Silvia’s pants and heels were white, so any lingering Rose fur would blend.
Silvia looked down at herself and laughed. “No worries, I’ve got it.” She brushed the remaining shed fur off her chest. “My fiancé has handed the reins of our wedding over to me.” She crinkled her nose. “He’s such aguyguy, you know?”
“A little rough around the edges,” Phillip put in.
“Says Mr. Sophistication,” Silvia replied. “Cade is more into mountain climbing and kayaking than picking out a color theme for our wedding. We’re a classic opposites-attract kind of couple.”
Hailey wasn’t so sure about the opposites-attract thing. She’d always thought compatibility with similar interests and outlooks would make for a smoother path. Though that wasn’t the most important thing. After observing so many successful relationships, she’d concluded the key was finding someone who accepted you just for who you are (and vice versa). A perfect match was someone you really clicked with and experienced very little friction because of your mutual acceptance. Only that hadn’t worked for her. Her friends-with-benefits arrangement with Liam had met all those requirements—they never fought, the sex was outstanding, and they genuinely liked each other. Problem was, several years later, it never did turn into love. What the hell did she know about relationships? Her breakdown five days ago at her mom’s engagement party had been a humbling wake-up call.
She moved right past Silvia’s remark to the business at hand. “I’m sure the three of us will come up with something wonderful. Right this way.” She gestured for them to follow and made her way over to the large empty ballroom. Once in the ballroom, she set Rose down to find a sunbeam to nap in. Hailey always met for a first appointment with clients in here because this was where the reception would be held. A glossy white enameled table along with red velvet cushioned chairs stood in the center of the room under an elaborate gold and crystal chandelier. The table was already set with a vase of cheerful red tulips (Silvia’s favorite flower), three white binders, a pen and notepad, her business cards, and a rose corsage for the bride.
“Please have a seat,” Hailey said, indicating the cushioned guest chairs.
