Page 48 of Royally Benevolent

I crossed my arms.

“Tell me.”

“I think she’s gorgeous, yeah. I think she’s kind and funny and unusual in a good way. I don’t think she’s going to want to?—”

“Since when do you get to make choices for women in your life?”

I cringed.

“Go tell her the truth, at least. And if you have any feelings for her, tell her. Life is short. She’s sweet. Most of all, you deserve to be happy.”

28

BILLIONAIRE BOSSES

ODETTE

Me

You sent me nothing but recs with sexy billionaire bosses.

Ingrid

I know. Isn’t it great?

I had to ask Astrid for recs. But we can buddy-read Billionaire Bosses from Beantown. That’s one I want to read.

Me

It’s got multiple bosses.

Ingrid

There are multiple men, yes. Four, in fact.

Me

Not for me. What are you thinking!???

Ingrid

Calm down. It’s a fantasy. But if Wyatt wanted to invite someone over and he was hot, would you say no?

Talking about Wyatt—even in text form made me feel ill. I ignored my sister’s silly texts, returning to my bottle of wine and pound of chocolates I’d ordered to my room. Nothing hit like grossamounts of sugar and very grown-up red wine. I had to get how Mary and Wyatt carried on out of my head.

I looked at the first page of theBillionaire Bossesbook. The heroine was their new secretary. It was workplace harassment. Not for me, right? But I read on. It was myfirstwhy choose romance—a trope I’d never been brave enough for. It was spicier than I usually went for, but I learned plenty as I snacked on chocolate truffles. Suddenly, Grieg hopped up, nearly blasting into the stem of my wine glass, and ran to the door. I soon heard voices before security dipped in.

“Ma’am, Mr Worthington is here and has brought food. What would you have us do?”

I considered turning him away, but that didn’t seem polite.

“Is he with the Vice President?”

“No, ma’am.”

He came alone?

“Of course. Let him in.”

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