Page 144 of The Backup Princess

Father and I agreed that we wouldn't share the news with the media until Maddie and I are engaged—him in the hope that our love would fizzle and die, and me in the knowledge that it never will.

Which brings me to tonight.

I give Sofia the signal, and she shoots me a knowing smile before she stretches her arms in the air, letting out a loud yawn. “I’m shattered. Time for bed, everyone.”

“You can’t tell us when to go to bed,” Amelia complains.

“I think you’ll find I can,” she replies, gesturing with her head at the door. “You too, Max. Let’s go.”

Subtle? Not particularly. Or at all.

Amelia is about to complain until she spies the look on my face, which tells her all she needs to know. “You know what? You’re right, Sofe. We’ve got a big day tomorrow, and now that I think about it, I am rather tired. Come on, Max.” She prods our youngest sibling with the toe of her shoe.

“Don’t kick me,” he complains.

“For someone who’s about to graduate from Cambridge in the New Year, you’re still such a baby,” Amelia complains.

“Max,” Sofia says in her uncompromising older sister tone.

“All right.” He ruffles Calypso’s fur a final time before he pushes himself to his feet. “You two coming?”

“I think we’ll stay here for a bit,” I reply, my nerves suddenly ratcheting up a notch.

Max’s eyes dart between Maddie and me. “Oh, I get it. More soppiness.”

I press my lips together to bite back a smile. “Something like that.”

“I do not need to be here for that,” Max replies as Sofia hurries him from the room.

She looks back, giving me the thumbs up, before she closes the door behind her, leaving Maddie and I alone.

“What was that about?” Maddie asks.

“My family being my family.”

“I love your family.”

“I know you do.”

“Now, tell me all about this soppiness you’ve got planned,” she says, placing her hand on my chest and smiling up at me.

“It involves us standing up for starters,” I say as I rise to my feet and offer her my hand.

“Okay.”

I slip my hand in hers and lead her over to the Christmas tree.

“Look. There are a couple of new ornaments,” I say, my nerves and excitement duking it out.

She throws me a confused look. “Good to know.”

I point out the decorations in question.

“The Texas boot?” she asks, her face lit up in a smile.

“A little worse for wear following my polo matches, but it felt appropriate to hang it here in your honor.”

She places a soft kiss on my lips. “That’s so sweet.”