Page 6 of Once Upon a Royal Billionaire

He choked, swallowed, and reached for his water. “Hey,” he rasped.

She walked closer. “I thought I’d wait until the guys were mostly down at the docks.”

Rhett looked around. There were a few stragglers, who were all ears, but he ignored them. “Good call. So…” He searched her face, its goodness reminding him of so many missed opportunities. “It’s good to see you.”

“Yeah, you too.” She shrugged. “Maybe we can do more of this?”

“I’d like that. The guys would too.”

She rolled her eyes. “Not sure why a bunch of grown men can’t get together on their own.”

“Because they’re ridiculous. So, wanna ride with me in the new Mastercraft?”

“You know I do.”

“Do you need to train with your team?”

“What? No, I’m not going to compete.”

He wasn’t sure if he was more relieved or disappointed. “What? You’re here. You have to compete.”

“Are you?”

“Oh, well, I thought I’d just let the guys duke it out.”

“See.”

“Well, now I’m sort of torn here. Should I be your friend and talk you into racing? Or should I do right by my teammates and let it slide.”

“Hmm. Well, I don’t know if you have that much influence.” She stopped. “Is that…?” Her gaze had drifted over to the floor-length windows that lined the boathouse.

“What a dufus.” Clint had Donnovan on his shoulders as they stood on the dock, ready to do a dock start. The other guys had their phones out and were recording.

Emily laughed. “I think they’re gonna sink to the bottom before the boat can plane.”

Rhett and Emily watched, side by side, and Rhett felt the missing pieces in his life re-align. “This is nice. I’ve missed you. This.”

“This?” She indicated his place next to her.

“Yes, this. And you.”

Her eyes sparkled at him. She challenged him in every way, and he couldn’t expect to get away with any comment unless he meant it.

“I missed you too.”

The blowhorn blared out over the water, and the boat took off with Clint gripping the ski rope handle and Donnovan shouting and waving.

But as soon as the boat had taken up half the slack, Donnovan leaped down, Clint tossed him another handle, and they hit the water just as the rope went taut. They took off, side by side.

Rhett shook his head. “Classic.”

“I’m impressed. You guys have been practicing.”

“You worried we might give your team some competition?”

“Nah. But it’s fun to see the guys.”

Rhett laughed off her competitive attitude. She was the real deal, and he appreciated every bit of her. “How long are you in town?”

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