Page 108 of Royally Rivalled

I looked over from applying makeup.

“Why do you look so sad, Astrid? Wasn’t this the big day?”

“It was a big day, yes. However, it was a bad day. It went south quick.”

“How?”

“The University of Edinburgh poached my advisor. So, my choices are either to change my thesis prospectus idea in the next few weeks or to follow him.”

“Pros and cons?” Amara was good for a pro-con list.

“Pros: it’s a better comparative public policy program, and I think Edinburgh would be a fun place to live. Negatives: it’s bloody freezing, and I will have to leave all of you.”

“Parker, too,” Amara said.

“Parker and you, especially. Amara?—”

“I’m graduating soon enough, darling. This is at least another three years of your life.”

“But you’ll stay in London. London and Edinburgh are so far away!”

“It’s fine. There are trains and planes. I am your ride-or-die. I will always be there for you, Astrid.”

“People alwayssaythat.”

Amara turned me, taking my shoulders, and shook her head.

“Astrid, you’re unforgettable! I couldn’t just ignore you. I knowyou’ve lost so many people in your life. I hate that for you, but I will not desert you, darling. You have left an indelible mark on me.”

“And Parker? He’s a proper grown-up.”

“So are you! A grown-up with a job. A grown-up doing amazing research who is finally getting her chance to shine. Astrid, if he loves you, you’ll figure it out. If it’s meant to be, it will work. What I don’t want you to do is let this dull your sparkle. Do not make choices based on the whims of a man!”

“You sound like…”

“You?” Amara laughed. “As it stands, Parker is moving out, and I’m moving in with Niall. I was worried to tell you.”

“Seriously? You barely?—”

“We have been fooling around mercilessly for the past few weeks. We’ve been playing cat and mouse all year. It’s mad, but I’ll give it a shot.”

“You bitch! You never told me!” I giggled.

“Sorry, he finally asked me to be his girlfriend—properly—in London. I want to give it a go.”

I hugged Amara tight, tears welling.

“You know you need to go to Edinburgh, darling. You know that, right?”

I nodded. “But what good will I be to Parker?”

“He loves you to bits, darling. You are good for him for so many reasons. Give him a chance.”

fifty-nine

PARKER

I broughtAstrid home with me, hoping we might finish what we started. Instead, I got very little out of her. When I brought up our trip to the estate, she pulled back more. I wasn’t sure what changed or what I’d done wrong. Why was she being like this?

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