Page 38 of Royal Charmer
“This was really thoughtful,” I say. “Thanks so much. Are you going to eat too?”
His gaze is glued to where my sleep shirt ends and my bare leg begins. “I ate,” he says hoarsely.
I take a fortifying sip of coffee, ignoring the possible desire in his voice. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Fine. You?”
“Can’t complain. I’m glad I slept in a bit. I was up late reading.”
He frowns. “I thought you were tired last night.”
“I was, but I always read before bed. It’s very addicting. You get to the end of a chapter and you just have to keep going to find out what happens next. I’ve got a whole library on my phone so I always have something to read.” I take a bite of warm croissant and moan in appreciation.
Lucas leaps up, looking around frantically.
My eyes widen, suddenly awake. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m the good guy here,” he mutters before heading to his room.
“Of course you’re a good guy!” I call reassuringly. Gabriel must really be doing a number on his self-esteem. “You’re great! Just look at how you’ve been so chivalrous with all the princely manners. And thoughtful too.”
Silence.
I sip more delicious coffee and take another bite of croissant, watching his doorway to see what surprising thing he’ll do next.
He appears a moment later, leaning casually with one arm against the door frame. “I am pretty great.”
I smile, glad he’s sounding back to normal. “Damn right you are. Oh no! We forgot to celebrate how great you are last night with champagne!”
He steps closer. “I was distracted by my victory.”
“C’mere, we’ll toast with orange juice. Oh, wait, is this a mimosa? Perfect!”
He returns to the living room, picks up a mimosa, and stands across the table from where I’m sitting. I stand and offer a toast. “To the new CFO.”
His eyes are intent on mine. “To my fiancée.”
I choke on my own spit. “That sounded real. We don’t have to pretend when it’s just the two of us. Maybe change it to a toast to our friendship. Honestly, I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this week without you. To new friends.”
He looks pensive for a moment, and I think maybe he’s going to add something heartfelt about our friendship, but then he just clinks his glass to mine and drinks.
I take a seat and go back to eating.
He sits next to me. “How’re you feeling?”
I lift my coffee mug up to him in a gesture of appreciation. “Beginning to feel human again.”
“Are you still…um, heartbroken?”
I get serious. “That will take some time to heal.” I attempt a smile, but it feels wobbly. “I’m really trying to move forward. I think some sightseeing is just the distraction I need.” I pick at a buttery layer of croissant, sober now.
“Do you want to know what I’ve planned, or should I surprise you?”
I refocus on him. His blue-green eyes are sparkling like he has something really fantastic planned. I clasp my hands together as a truly exciting possibility occurs to me. “Are we going to a royal ball?”
“Close. There aren’t any happening during the time you’re here. I did check, but they’re not as common as they once were.” A smile tugs at his lips like he’s eager to share. “You might think this is even better. We’re taking a private tour of Versailles.”
I gasp. Versailles is a famous palatial estate, the former royal residence of Louis XIV. It islegendary.
