Page 9 of Hiding out with a Royal Billionaire

“Do you not want me around?”

“No, it’s not that, it’s just that I know you are incredibly busy. And I can’t help but wonder if you’re still hovering to make sure I’m safe.”

Brooks tried to hide his self-conscious reaction but he couldn’t, not from Skye.

“You do know we have excellent security at the palace?”

“I know. Look, just humor me, okay. I’d be coming back for your gala in a week anyway. Can I just use my normal room and work from here?” His eyes, pleading like they had when they were little, made her smile. “OF course. If you promise to go out on the lake with me.”

“Absolutely. After losing in such a monstrous way at the last water ski competition, I’d like to practice on the course if we can.”

“It’s a date.” She swallowed. “Or, I mean, you know. It’s a plan.”

Brooks laughed. “You trying to ask me out?” Then he watched with delight as a blush spread across her face.

“No. you dufus.”

“Well, okay then. Cause if it’s a date. I gotta wear cologne”

“Don’t you usually wear something?” She leaned in.

“No, stop. I smell like ocean right now.”

“It’s true. We both smell like ancient moss seaweed stuff.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I don’t know. It’s like when you eat onions, if you both do, it’s not a problem.”

“Now you’re saying you want to kiss me?”

Skye walked toward the car. “Alright. I’m finished here. If you’re coming with me in the car, you’re gonna need to sit on the other row and do your own thing for a while.”

“Fine. I’m just messing around.”

“You remind me of you when you were twelve.”

“Some of my best years.”

‘That’s probably an opinion held only by you.”

“Hey now.”

They climbed into the car and obedient to her command, he sat on the opposite end, pulled out his laptop and pretended to be very busy. After about one minute, she moved to sit beside him. ‘What are you doing?” Then she nudged his shoulder. “Oh stop. You faker. You’re not doing anything.”

“Hey, searching for a new pair of skis is something.”

“I’m sorry I told you to sit over here and leave me alone.”

“I’m totally teasing anyway. So, are the parents excited to see me?”

“Mostly. Are you asking because the last time you were here, things broke?”

He leaned back his head and laughed. “Thank you for saying ‘things broke.’ When we all know really what happened was Brooks broke things.”

“It was partly my fault.”

“Oh, now you admit involvement.”

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