Page 73 of Royal Pain
Chapter 25
Zan
If I had to guess I’d say she’s going to reject the Royal life. Can’t blame her, not in the least. There’s nothing in her life that has prepared her for what it would bring. We could be very happy living part time here and the other half of the year in New York. She’d be missing her family, I know that. Her friends for sure. She’d be missing everything. So if she decides to pass, I’ll understand.
But. But. The word keeps showing up in my logical mind. It’s relentless in reminding me of the one thing I’m trying to forget. It feels like I am the king. Crap. If only I could escape that truth it would all be golden. The question asked and answered is, will I abandon my destiny for love? That one I have no trouble with.
I’ve thought about each life and how I’d feel. I could live without being the king. I could live without the sense I’m fulfilling a greater fate. But I could never live without Belinda.
So in the end, after all the sleepless nights and distracted days, my mind is made up. I’m content, even if she wants things to remain the same. Same is good. It’s great in fact. Yes, I can do it.
“Baby! There’s a Pictionary game in the closet in the hall. Bring it when you come in,” I say, stacking the dishes on the kitchen bar.
Tonight’s game night, and we’re having a “picnic” as Belinda calls it. Hamburgers, American style, potato chips, pickles, macaroni salad. I think she’s making a big green salad too, because everything is laid out for her assembly.
Did I get enough plates and silverware? Let’s see, Belinda and I, the three kids, and Kwai and his date. Yeah, I got it. Seven. This is probably going to be a shit show. Except for Nubia, the kids are shy around Belinda. And Kwai? He’s most likely bringing a dancer from the latest strip club he’s frequented. God help us.
“Okay, I’m ready. How do I look?”
She enters the room twirling, which is so fucking cute. I could eat her.
“I just had a brilliant idea,” I say.
“What’s that?”
“We could cancel, and I could tear off that very lovely outfit, and we could do something really entertaining on game night. Like me going down on you. Doesn’t that sound better than a picnic?”
There’s a heavy knock on the door. Shit. Belinda starts laughing.
“The best laid plans…”
I open the door with less enthusiasm than I had five minutes ago.
“Hey! First ones here,” I say at the surprising sight.
There stands my brother, with a very respectable, sweet looking woman. What?
“Can we come in?” Kwai asks, breaking my stare.
“Yeah, yeah come in!”
Walking in, I see Belinda is surprised too. Actually she doesn’t even know how odd this is. Never seen him with a normal girl.
“Belinda and Zan, this is Miranda West.”
“Hi, Miranda. Welcome.”
“Hi, I’m so glad to meet you,” Belinda adds, giving the new girl a friendly hug.
“Come on in. Let’s have a drink.” I head for the bar.
“I’ll have a Manhattan,” Belinda calls.
Recently I’ve learned how to make the New Yorker’s favorite. At least my New Yorker.
“Do you have beer?” Miranda asks following me.
“Absolutely. I’ll have one with you. So where did you and my brother meet, Miranda?”
