Page 66 of Royally Rivalled

I snickered. “Fine. Get on back to work.”

There was a knock. Parker panicked.

“Come in,” I said instinctively.

It was a royal thing. I felt the need to tell people to enter unless Alex was present.

Briggs reported in. “Oh, good, you’re both here! Wait, what’s the secrecy about?”

We stared at him, confused.

“Door was closed.”

“Oh, we had a student issue,” I lied. “But I think it’s resolved. Privacy, you know?”

Parker seemed satisfied. “Yes, quite.”

“Would you two want to teach the advanced research methods course together next semester? I was going to ask you first, Parker, but since you’re both here.”

“Sure,”we said in unison.

I couldn’t believe I was saying yes. A couple of months ago, I hated this man. Now, I wanted to spend whole evenings with my naked body pressed against his. I longed for those ridiculous, sweet forehead kisses. I didn’t even mind his stupid, grumpy nonsense on occasion. Parker continued to grow on me.

thirty-nine

PARKER

“It will be fine,”Niall assured.

“Will it, mate? I need to make an impression, Niall. It’s not like I can run to London and back for something lovely between now and seven.”

“You’re panicking. Don’t panic!”

How could I avoid it? I needed to source a gift for Astrid in a matter of hours, so she didn’t think I was an absolute knob. I’d missed her birthday. I was taking her out, but that wasn’t enough. What did one get a princess who could buy anything her heart desired? And I barelyknewAstrid.

“Get her something sweet—meaningful. What does she like?”

“I don’t know, Niall. And I can’t blame it all on budget—as in there is no real budget.”

“She doesn’t seem like the type to expect that much, Parker.”

“And that’s why I have to blow her away.”

“Fine, maybe food. Does she like food?”

“I’m taking her for food.”

“Okay, but sweets? A pudding?”

“She likes sweets,” I said. “Chocolates.”

“Well, stop by the shop before they close.”

Niall was right. I raced to buy a box of chocolates, settling on an entire pound of truffles. Realising I should get a card, I ducked into the shop next door and spotted Bianca in the card aisle.

“Oh, hey, Parker. How are you?”

“I’m fine,” I answered.

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