Page 31 of Royally Benevolent

“I need help. No one has died.”

I could tell Astrid thought this was something serious. I wondered how long it would be before my sisters assumed “needing help” meant I was on suicide watch.

“It’s a boy,” I clarified. “A man, rather.”

“Oh? Tell me more!”

Her tone changed once more.

“How do you tell someone you want to be more than friends?”

“Uh… no clue. I hated Parker, then I was shagging him, and then we were together. I honestly think we became friendsafterwe hooked up—not before. You could throw yourself at him.”

“No thanks,” I said. “That won’t work.”

“You could wait for him to make the move. Parker?—”

“He’s not like Parker. I mean, he is the nerdy type, I gather.”

“So what is wrong with him?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He has the kindest eyes. He’s so warm and caring.”

“But…”

“But I think he is waiting for something. Maybe he’s timid? Or maybe the whole princess thing is intimidating?”

“The princess thing requires work with anyone who has social awareness.”

“So, how did you manage that with Parker?”

“Parker lacks social awareness. His solution was to get me off in an elevator.”

I cringed.

“Oh, come on. Get on with it! Do you like the man? If so, you might have to make the first move.”

I groaned. “Do I have to?”

“Do you want me to tell you otherwise, darling?”

I didn’t. Astrid was right. If I wanted Wyatt, I would need to take a chance and set things into motion.

18

JUST A FRIEND

WYATT

“Your friend stayed awhile,” Mom raised one eyebrow. “I heard you still gabbing at eleven.”

“I needed that,” I admitted. “You are right. I need a social life. Talking with Odette was good. I didn’t know I missed social contact, you know?”

“Odette is… very pretty.”

“Mom, please,” I groaned.

“She is pretty, Papa,” Theo chimed in. “I like her.”

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