Page 15 of Royal Rising

“Hiya, cowboy.” She waves slim fingers tipped with a pearly white polish. “Thought you might be hiding from me.”

I met Fenella at Odin’s wedding; I had been paired up with Edie—she was one of the bridesmaids, me a groomsman—but both of us knew it wasn’t a date. Once we got the pictures and the dancing done, we were there solo.

Edie made that perfectly clear when she started dancing with my cousin Mathias.

Gunnar had invited Fenella Carrington, and enlisted her help to keep the focus off whatever news story was about to break about Camille. I’m not sure anyone thought pictures ofmeand Fenella would show up all over the internet the next day, almost overshadowing the bride and groom.

Fenella is used to getting attention. Being the daughter of a billionaire does that.

We have that in common—not the billionaire father but the getting attention wherever we go. But unlike Fenella, I don’t enjoy it.

I’m also not as pretty as she is.

“Taking out the garbage,” I grunt. Even the sight of Fenella’s violet eyes and smiling face that graces countless magazines and gossip sites doesn’t appease me.

I had fun with her the night of the wedding. There were dances. A kiss.

Okay, maybe a few.

There might have been more, but I had been reminded—like a bucket of cold water being thrown over my head—that Fenella was an ex-girlfriend of Gunnar’s. My brother has had his share of exes—almost as many as me—and he stayed friends with Fenella. They’re almost as close as Edie and me.

There is nothing between her and Gunnar—I made sure of that before any kissing took place.

But still, Fenella’s past with my brother doused most of my interest, but I can’t help the intrigue.

Or maybe it’s the intrigue of knowing that a woman like Fenella Carrington wants to spend time with me.

“Is that code for something or were you actually taking out the trash?” I raise an eyebrow at Fenella’s question. “Wow,” she muses. “You certainly are a full-service bar owner. I bet you’re the only crown prince who does that.”

“Should be a mandatory rule.”

I knew Fenella was still in town, because she’s been staying in one of the guest suites at the castle since the wedding. Despite her past with my brother, I’ve been toying with the idea of seeing if she wants to hang out but haven’t done anything about it yet.

Taking my time. Still toying because Fenella Carrington is a very beautiful woman and I like beautiful women.

Who aren’t kissing my cousin.

“What are you up to tonight?” I ask even as I check out the action by the pool table. Fight radar is on full alert now because things seem tense. Coy Schmidt has wandered over and now leaning on the table as Jubblie Mark takes a shot.

They had a falling-out over some lobster traps last season and I don’t think it’s been resolved.

“I thought I’d stop in for a fond farewell,” Fenella is saying and I pull my attention back to her since she’s far more interesting than the grudges of the two grizzled old-timers.

“You’re leaving?” My surprise sharpens my tone.

Fenella smiles as she sips her drink, clearly pleased with the reaction. “That usually predicates a farewell. I had planned on a few more days but Gunnar is completely besotted with Stella Laz and practically ignoring me.”

I can tell Fenella isn’t a woman who likes to be ignored.

“At least Gunny’s flying me to New York tomorrow,” she continues.” Are you going to miss me?”

That question is not getting a response. “Gunny’s not flying anywhere tomorrow,” I tell her instead. “Bad storm’s coming in.”

“Does your brother not know this?”

“Is he with Stella tonight?”

Fenella nods. “They’re at the shelter with a couple of new dogs.”

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