Page 52 of Royally Benevolent

“You say that like it’s a question! Ofcourse,you are if it was good.”

“But he said he wanted to date me properly and that this wasn’t… fair?”

“Oh, we stan a short king who can treat a lady!”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s notthatshort. You and Alexandra just ended up with super tall guys.”

“I’m not dunking on him. He’s hot. Wait, how did you kiss him? Is hethere?”

“We travelled together because… he asked if anyone from the board wanted to take the second spot.”

“Does Alex know that?”

“I didn’t think it was relevant.”

“Uh-huh.”

“So, are you going to do more?”

“We leave tomorrow. He wants to take me on a date. I’m frightened.”

“Why? That’s adorable.”

“What if we get caught? Alex will kill me.”

“Why? You’re a grown woman dating a perfectly nice man. He’s not a murderer or war criminal.”

“He’s thirteen years older than me.”

“And she’s married to someone a decade older. If anything, you should worry about Rick’s toxic masculinity resurfacing. And he can also tangle with me if it does.”

“He’s been sweet and trying to help me get out more. I’m pretty sure he won’t care.”

“Never underestimate the caveman lurking inside a perfectly serviceable male.”

I snickered. “Your view of men is so negative.”

“My view onpeopleis negative. Men just aren’t sending their best.”

I agreed. My experience suggested this was true.

“So, go out with him. Say, ‘Thanks, Daddy, for dinner.’ If all goes well, enjoy him. If he’s willing to take you out properly, he’s probably not too selfish, right?”

I had nothing to gauge things against.

“I didn’t have sex with Guy,” I said. “Not all the way.”

“Notintercourse. That’s fine. He probably won’t care. I worried and worried no man would want me because of it. Instead, Parker worked harder to ruin it for the next man.”

“He was successful?”

“There was no second man, so yes,” Astrid sighed. “Sex isn’t magic. It’s great, but it’s not a secret potion. It’s fun. Don’t focus on it like it’s this stressful, massive thing, okay? Let it happen when it happens.”

“So I shouldn’t worry he’ll think I’m hopeless?”

“Nah. I had all those fears. Instead, Parker just worked harder. I cannot fault the man for trying. God, my first time was way better than it should have been. But you’re not there yet. If the kiss was good, do it again. Go on a proper date! That’s a good thing. And he’s a widower… it might take him a bit to be ready. Men are people, too. Contrary to what you’ve been told, they’re not always ready to go just to go. Many of them have boundaries—the ones worth keeping, I think. I don’t see you as having a casual fling. I could have handled it, but you and Alexandra? Nah. Wouldn’t work.”

“Excuse me! I’m cool,” I laughed.

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