Page 76 of Royally Rivalled

Parker pulled me into his arms. We faced the wrong way, our feet against the headboard. I collapsed into him, letting his arms envelop me. Feeling his stubble on atop my head, I looped my feet with his. I was happy, satisfied, and warm.

“I don’t want to go home, but I’ve got to be in London early tomorrow,” Parker groaned.

“What?”

“My sister is engaged. I need to meet with her about the wedding—costs and such. I’m the chequebook. We’re having lunch. It’s going to be a dreadful excuse for my family to point out once more that I am single and have no prospects.”

“You didn’t say she was engaged!”

“I’m only going because she needs money,” Parker said. “We aren’t close. I know it makes no sense. Families are supposed to get closer—not further apart.”

“I understand. I’m sorry,” I stroked his cheek.

Parker sometimes surprised me with his vulnerability. We were alike in this regard. We had serious trauma due to the loss of our parents, but talking about it wasn’t easy. Parker’s wounds were so fresh. I didn’t pry but let him know I cared.

I had a thought. “Can I come?”

“What? Why?” Parker asked.

“Because I love weddings.”

“She’s a pain in the ass. It’s just lunch.”

“I’m bored. I don’t have classes on Monday, so I’m submitting that assignment right now.”

He groaned. “Astrid, you don’t know what you’re doing, love.”

Love?Ooh! That was new. The Dickish Dude could be so tender. I secretly loved these moments. He may still be a grump, but he was nowmygrump.

“I do,” I laughed. “If I show up, all will be silenced, and you can live in peace, right?”

I pulled back to meet his glance.

“Astrid, you realise I’d have to introduce you as something, right?” Parker chuckled and cupped my cheek lovingly with his palm.

I wanted him so badly to lean in for a forehead kiss. I lived for them.

“Mmm-hmm.” I turned to kiss his hand. “Yes, your girlfriend.”

“I could handle that,” Parker said. “I could manage you being my girlfriend.”

I melted as he said it—his girlfriend.

forty-three

PARKER

Astrid wasasleep when we arrived in London. She nodded off on my chest, curled up as I gave my manuscript yet another pass. She’d already reviewed it and urged me to send the thesis off. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust her judgement. It was that once I set that message in a bottle off, it was free forever—no longer under my control.

“Princess, we’re here.” I woke as we pulled into Victoria Station.

“Uh… what?”

“We’re here, love.”

“Oh, shit. Sorry,” Astrid groaned.

The old woman diagonal from her glared.

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