Page 30 of Royally Benevolent

“It’s okay. I’m good. How do I help you save the world, Captain Paranoid?”

“We havegotto come up with better superhero names, Odette. This is pathetic.”

“That will be our next order of business after fixing all the roads in this charming butpoorly designed city.”

“So, step one, save the world? Step two, choose superhero names?” I joked. “I think that’s putting the cart before the horse.”

“Or the basket before the bike? Hey, that works for the Dutch. It’s good enough for me.”

“Let’s focus on a plan first,” I said. “Then, choose superhero names?”

“Sounds great,” Odette smiled. “How do weplanto save the world?”

17

HOW DOES IT WORK?

ODETTE

Iclosed my small notebook and sipped wine. We drank the entire bottle in three hours and outlined a plan for the future. Wyatt had ideas and knew the players, so I would mount the charm offensive.

As Wyatt gushed about Theo, I only thought about how much I adored him. Rick was right—I had a full-blown crush. The man was handsome. He was also a sweetheart. More than that, he was interested in what I had to say. He cared about meas a person. I hated to leave, but it was late.

“I have so loved this,” I said. “It was nice. I feel like I have ideas. Now, I have to implement them at our next meeting. However, I have a super early morning. I must go, Wyatt.”

He looked down at his smartwatch and flushed red. “Oh, shit! Yeah, it’s late. I am so, so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I assured. “I enjoyed this, Wyatt.”

I could have talked to him all night. Now, I knew the feeling was mutual. I rose to my feet, a broad smile too hard to fight. I adored this man. Why did he have to be so cute? Why did I have to feel so nervous around him all the time? Wyatt stood and nervously rubbed his hands on his jeans.

“So, the next meeting is in a week?” I asked, trying to make it less awkward.

Wyatt followed me to the foyer and took my coat from the closet. “Yes. I will be there if you are.”

“I’ll text you. We should get together again. Somehow. Between now and then? I will have a concrete plan about how I will approach it.”

“I can do that,” Wyatt handed me my coat.

Our hands brushed, leading me to bristle. I longed for him to kiss me. I stared into his eyes and thought about wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning into a big kiss.Where did that come from?I wanted not to think about it, but I also longed for him to do it. He was so handsome, and his eyes so kind.

“I should… go.” I hoped to prompt a goodbye kiss.

I was so bad at dating. I didn’t know how to do this. Guy had justmade a move. I suspected that wasn’t Wyatt’s style. It was so odd. I expected this aggro businessman. Instead, he was a total sweetheart. I wanted him to do more. I thought of his lips pressed against mine. I needed him to pull me close and give me everything.

“Sure. Yes. I will see you soon.” Wyatt opened the door, still too close. For a moment, I thought he might kiss me. Instead, he smiled awkwardly and moved to open the door.

Sails deflating, I stepped back towards the partially open door. It sent a chill up my spine. I wanted so badly for him to kiss me but couldn’twillit. I climbed into my waiting car and gave up on the dream of a steamy kiss with my crush.

He waved in a friendly way as my car pulled away. Confused, I rang the one person I trusted to counsel me. I knew she’d be up.

“Has someone died? Is it Celeste?” Astrid answered.

“Astrid,” I groaned. “That is…”

“No, it’snotunkind, Odie. You are too nice, darling. Fuck her!”

I agreed that our evil grandmother’s death would, in some ways, be a blessing, but I fought the urge to admit it out loud. I couldn’t bring myself to allow that to be an acceptable response. I felt the best revenge was living well and rising above it. Astrid was out for blood.She’d spent her teenage years trying to think up ways to poison Celeste.

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