Page 75 of Royal Fling
“It wasn’t my secret to tell.”
“But you’re my best friend.”
“It still wasn’t my secret,” she insisted.
“Fine. You will pay for that,” Leo said. “Guess who’ll never be our baby’s godmother?”
Beth gasped at that as if it was the worst fate she could suffer.
Dawson pushed his chair back and stood up.
“You guys, this is serious. It’s not a joke,” he said.
“Agreed.” Dad nodded.
“Guys, guys! There’s no need to start snapping at one another. I’ll deal with it. You don’t have to worry about me.” I raised my voice. but of course, as soon as the words came out of my mouth, I knew they were lies.
Iwas worried about me. I didn’t know how to deal with any of this. I didn’t even know what to think. What Ididknow was that I needed to talk to…
The doorbell rang and our heads all craned up as we all looked at each other. Then, everyone turned to Leo.
“What?” he asked.
“Well, it's your house. Aren’t you going to get it?” I asked.
“I don’t know why I have to get it. You're all staying here,” he whined and got up to answer the door. “But fine. I’ll be the good, little maid.”
“What a drama queen,” Beth called after him only to get a middle finger thrown her way by her best friend.
A moment later, a guy wrapped in a scarf, a baseball cap, and sunglasses walked into the kitchen.
“August!” I jumped off my seat.
He took off the scarf and glasses before I crashed into his arms.
“Are you okay? What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I came as soon as I could,” he said.
“You shouldn't have left the house. What if anyone followed you here? They’d have a field day.”
He covered my cheek with one hand and gave me a smile.
“Don’t worry. Nikolas lost all our tails. I had to come here. I had to see you. I had to be there for you.”
Beth and Leo both cooed only to get a dirty glance from Dawson and Dad.
“I don't know how this happened, but I promise I’m going to find out. You don't have to worry. I'm going to protect you. Okay?” August said.
I nodded.
“What are we going to do?” I asked.
“I don’t know, but my mother is on her way, and Teagan is in meetings with the crisis comms team. They’ll come up with a plan. Whatever happens, I’ll do my best to bury these stupid stories.”
“I hate to break it to you, but there’s no stopping the tabloids. Trust me,” Dawson said, patting August’s back.
He froze mid-pat, and his eyes widened before he took a step back and bowed.
