Page 36 of Defying the Crown
They exchanged a look.
"We promise to be..." Jayda paused.
"Thorough in our evaluation," Caleb finished.
"That's not reassuring at all." But I couldn't help smiling. Their protective streak might be annoying, but after Alex, I understood why they needed to be sure. This time, I'd trust their judgment.
Harald
My palms feel clammy as I stand outside Daniel's door, the hallway's fluorescent lights casting harsh shadows. The bouquet of fresh sunflowers I picked up this morning trembles slightly in my grip. Back home, I've faced rooms full of dignitaries without breaking a sweat, but meeting Daniel's friends feels infinitely more daunting.
The door swings open. Daniel's face lights up, and my breath catches at the sight of him in a burgundy henley that hugs his chest and arms perfectly.
"You brought flowers?" His eyes sparkle as he leans in for a tantalizing kiss that leaves the promise of more later. "Come in, come in."
I step inside, hyper-conscious of my movements. Did I walk too stiffly? Should I have worn something more casual than this blue cashmere sweater?
"These are lovely." Daniel inhales the sunflowers' scent. "Let me grab a vase."
The apartment unfolds before me - mismatched furniture arranged with care, a wall covered in polaroid photos, the lingering aroma of coffee and something sweet baking. It's everything my stark palace quarters aren't - warm, personal, alive with memories.
Two people emerge from the kitchen - a tall man with close-cropped hair and a woman with box braids cascading down her back. Daniel's roommates. My throat tightens.
"Jayda, Caleb,this is Harald." Daniel's voice carries a hint of nervousness that matches my own.
I extend my hand, praying they can't see it shake. "It's wonderful to meet you both. Daniel speaks of you often."
The scrutiny in their gazes makes my skin prickle. They're protective of him - as they should be after what his ex did. I straighten my shoulders, channeling years of diplomatic training while trying not to seem too formal.
The sound of Daniel dropping something in the kitchen breaks the tension. "Shit! Don't worry, vase is okay!"
A genuine laugh escapes me, and for a moment, I forget to be nervous. This is Daniel's world - messy, real, wonderful. I want so badly to belong in it.
Jayda and Caleb exchange a look that speaks volumes - the kind of silent communication that comes from years of being in love. My heart pounds against my ribs as I wait for their verdict.
"Come help me with breakfast," Jayda says, jerking her head toward the kitchen. "Daniel's hopeless with pancakes."
"I heard that!" Daniel calls out, still fussing with the vase.
"You were meant to," Caleb shoots back, dropping onto their worn leather couch with a knowing smirk.
I follow Jayda into their compact kitchen, where the scent of coffee mingles with vanilla and cinnamon. She hands me a whisk and slides a bowl of batter across the counter.
"So, Harald from Denmark," she says, measuring coffee grounds into a filter. "What brings you to New York?"
The whisk moves smoothly through the batter as I consider my response. The truth - that I'm here specifically to see Daniel - feels both too simple and too loaded.
"Work, primarily," I say, which isn't entirely a lie. "But meeting Daniel has definitely been the highlight."
"Mhmm." Jayda's rings click against the coffee pot as she fills it. "And what kind of work do you do?"
Before I can fumble through an answer, Daniel swoops in and wraps his arms around my waist from behind. "Stop interrogating him, J."
"I'm just making conversation." Jayda's stern expression cracks into a warm smile. "Besides, anyone who brings flowers and knows how to properly whisk pancake battercan't be all bad."
"Thank you, I try." I keep my tone light as I continue whisking. "Though I must confess, my culinary skills are limited to breakfast foods and the occasional pasta dish."
"And what do you do when you're not making breakfast?" Jayda measures out another scoop of coffee, her dark eyes intent.
