Page 56 of Prince Material
I grinned at Diana, not missing the mischievous glint in her eye. “Yes, ma’am, like a baby.”
Orson made a strangled noise as he placed forks and knives around the table. His cheeks were flaming red now. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
Diana just hummed contentedly as she slid the eggs and bacon onto a serving platter. “I’m so glad. You know, Orson’s mattress isn’t the most comfortable. I keep meaning to replace it.” She winked at me conspiratorially.
“Mom!” Orson sputtered, nearly dropping the stack of plates he was holding. He set them down with a clatter.
“What? I’m just saying.” Diana placed the platter on the table and took a seat, acting completely oblivious to her son’s mortification. “Well, dig in before it gets cold.”
Orson finally sat down next to me, his knee bouncing anxiously under the table. I placed my hand on his thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“At least it’s more comfortable than the couch,” Diana said, and I had to give her props for the flawless delivery of that line. Of course, she then went for the kill. “Though I suspect Orson didn’t spend much time on it last night.”
Orson dropped a fork, his face flaming red. “Mom!”
“What? Am I wrong?” Diana arched an eyebrow at her son.
Orson opened and closed his mouth a few times before sighing. “No. You’re not wrong. Floris and I, we’re… together. Sort of. It’s new.”
Diana’s teasing expression softened into one of genuine happiness. She rounded the table and pulled Orson into a tight hug. “Oh, honey. I’m so happy for you.”
Over his mom’s shoulder, Orson met my gaze, his eyes wide with surprise and relief. I smiled encouragingly at him.
When Diana released him, there were tears shimmering in her eyes. “Your father would be so proud of you, Orson. So proud. All we ever wanted was for you to find someone who makes you as happy as he and I were together.”
Orson’s own eyes welled up at the mention of his dad. “You really think so?”
“I know so,” Diana said firmly, cupping Orson’s face in her hands. “He loved you so much, Orson. And he would’ve loved seeing you like this, opening your heart to someone special.”
A few tears escaped down Orson’s cheeks. I had to swallow past the lump in my own throat. Seeing him so emotional, sovulnerable, made me want to wrap him up in my arms and never let go.
Orson swallowed hard. “Thanks, Mom. That means a lot.”
He glanced over at me again, a tentative smile on his face. I reached out and took his hand, interlacing our fingers.
Diana wiped at her eyes and laughed. “Listen to me getting all sentimental. I’m so thrilled you two found each other.” She patted Orson’s cheek affectionately before returning to her seat.
Just then, Tia came bounding down the stairs, her hair in a messy ponytail. “Morning, everybody!” she chirped, plopping down next to her mom and helping herself to a heaping pile of eggs and bacon.
“Morning, sweetie,” Diana replied, pouring Tia a glass of orange juice. “Sleep well?”
“Yep! Though not as well as Orson, I bet,” Tia said with a cheeky grin, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.
“Tia!” Orson groaned, covering his face with his hands.
I couldn’t help it; I burst out laughing. This family was something else.
“So you’re a prince, right?” Tia mercifully turned her attention to me.
The kitchen grew quiet. “How did you know?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I overheard Mom saying something to you and googled you. It’s not like it was hard to find.”
That made sense. “That’s right. I’m part of the royal family of the Netherlands. My uncle is the king, King Friso.”
“That is so cool! Do you live in a castle? Do you have servants? Ooh, do you have a crown?” Tia rapid-fired questions at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I grew up in a palace, though it kinda looks like a castle too,” I replied, amused by her enthusiasm. “And yes, there are staff. We don’t like to call them servants. There’s a crown, but itonly comes out for special occasions. But I try to live a pretty normal life, as much as I can anyway.”
