Page 6 of Royally Rivalled

“Knock, knock.”

I saw Amara’s smiling face in the doorway.

“You got a sec?”

“Sure,” I answered. “Just unpacking my books.”

“Oh my God, is that a copy ofRebecca?” Amara gushed.

Iknewwe’d be friends.

“You love a Gothic novel, too?”

“Certainly. I mean, if… that’s what this is. I thought it was a romance.”

I chuckled. “No. That is a limited edition signed by DuMaurier herself.”

“Either way, fascinating book. Wait… is this in French?”

“Many of them are. I know I can buy them here, of course. However, I prefer to read in French if I can. I’ll be reading what—1000 pages a week—in English? It might break my brain. I need comfort reads.”

“Sounds smart.”

She looked down, picking up my phone.

“Ignore it,” I sighed.

“Who is this? Shit guitarist?”

I groaned, putting a leather-bound foiled edition of a Lisa Kleypas historical on the shelf. That was a present from Odette from years past. If she read it, she’d be scandalised, but it was one of my most beloved bodice rippers.

“It’s an ex… if you could even call him that,” I said. “I had this short thing with him off and on over the past year. He’s with this band—Riot Elephant.”

“What? Is this Tim Sheers?”

I sighed, “Yes.”

“You slept with Tim Sheers?”

I didn’t. I also wasn’t about to say I didn’t because sleeping with him gave me some degree of credibility as a full-fledged adult. I didn’t want to come out and admit I was a helpless virgin who’d never done more than snog like teenagers in a hallway next to roadies. I was also unwilling to say why he hurt me most—or detail how I found out he was cheating on me over the summer. The wounds of my mortification still stung.

“It ended poorly. I feel stupid for even having trusted him a second. I was paranoid he might share some of his sexts with the world, but he hasn’t done so yet. I think he’s too stupid to figure out he could make moneyon it.”

Amara giggled.

“Seriously, Amara, he’s daft.”

“He’s gorgeous, so I don’t fault you for falling for it. Men are pigs—especially rockstars, right?”

“Again, stupid of me to fall for his dumb ass.”

“I’ve experienced the same with men who are way less hot. At least you had fun. Also, please don’t feel like you can’t talk about this around me. You can tell me. I swear I’m trustworthy, darling. Don’t hold back. We’re friends, for fuck’s sake!”

Friends? That was lovely. I smiled, relieved.I made a friend already!

“Oh, love, we’ve all been there. Don’t feel stupid. That’s a musician for you!”

“Why would he text me all those things? Say all those things?”

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