Page 24 of Royal Academy

“For the record, you did look positively amazing today.”

Lia felt a surge of pride and happiness fill her.

“However, you are just as beautiful no matter what you wear. They are just clothes, Lia, remember that. It doesn’t change who you are inside.”

Lia was frozen into place as Nick kissed her forehead softly and moved to leave. She turned to say something to him just as the door snapped closed.

Had he really just called her beautiful? Even when she was wearing her crazy styles?

Lia moved in front of the mirror and assessed herself trying to see through Nick’s eyes. Her hair really was her crowning glory. The red was laced with blonde and gold looking like a fire had been lit within it. Two brownish green eyes framed by brows darker than her hair was complemented by her high cheekbones and straight nose.

Lia was thin, that was the nature of a runner, but her breasts were full and round and she had rather long legs for her height.

She wasn’t sure how long she stood there until there was another knock at the door.

“You about ready, Princess Amelia?” Craig called out.

She nodded to the mirror as if making a personal declaration. Lia was going to look at herself through those nasty lenses that she always had in the past.

New job, new wardrobe, and maybe a new love? Only time would tell.

Only time would tell. Racing to the door she opened it to see Rachel and Craig with a knowing smirk on their faces.

"What?" Lia asked as they came in and made themselves comfortable.

"Nothing," Rachel said innocently right before she shared a knowing look with Craig.

"Out with it," Lia insisted.

"Was that ProfessorLeham'svoice we heard in here with you?"

Shit.

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