Page 81 of Royal Rising

“No, it’s been just friends, but I was thinking—”

“Mathias?” Bo interrupts.

“No. Yeah. Maybe,” I admit. “Him sniffing around maybe pushed me a little.”

“If you’re talking about bringing her to dinner, then that’s a shove-in-front-of-the-train push,” he warns. “Nothing little about that.”

Eight years, and he’s still gun-shy. Yesterday I wouldn’t have hesitated to agree with Bo, but today…

“Maybe that’s what I need,” I tell him, my mind back on Edie. This is new; am I supposed to be thinking about her so much? Am I supposed to look for ways to bring her up in conversation?

Does this mean we’re an officialthing?

I haven’t even kissed her yet.

I had no plans to say anything, but at the first opportunity—pow, verbal diarrhea about all sorts of stuff.

There’s no way I’m blurting out the fact we haven’t even kissed yet.

Luckily, Lyra and Gunnar’s mock argument about the virtues of hostels versus hotels holds the rest of the table’s attention.

“So, why, then?” Bo asks again. “If it’s notMathias.”

“Dad mentioned something about it,” I hedge.

“About Edie?”

“No, about getting married. I’m not getting any younger.”

“No, because you’re older than me.”

I shake my head. “That makes no sense.”

“You are older than me, and therefore getting older all the time. Do you want to marry Edie?”

I drop my voice. “I already asked her,” I admit. “Totally mucked it up though, and she turned me down flat.”

“Seriously?” I shrug. “Whoa. I don’t blame her. We’re a lot to marry into.”

I stare at Bo, and find a little hope. I asked Edie to marry me, and while I was serious, I knew that wasn’t the way to do it. I don’t often show my romantic side but when I do, I make an effort.

Yet, I didn’t make an effort with Edie. I know that now.

I knew that then, too, but I didn’t think it mattered much. Now, I’m more excited about Edie and giving things a try rather than jumping into marriage, but maybe someday…

Maybe someday, because I think Edie would be really good for this family.

And even better for me. But if we’re too much for her, if I’m too much for her—

“Do you think that’s why she said no?” I demand. “I just thought it was because I made a mess of it.”

“I have no idea what goes on in Edie’s head. But they might.” Bo jerks his chin across the table to where Lyra is leaning across Gunnar to talk to Stella. “Lyra said she and Kate went drinking with Edie at the pub. Speaking of that, what’s this about Lyradrinking for free?” he suddenly reproaches. “You always make me pay.”

I rear back at the abrupt change of subject. “Lyra pays for her drinks.”

“Edie never charged her.”

“What? Lyra.” I raise my voice. “How much do you owe me from last night? You didn’t pay Edie?”

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