Page 36 of A Royal Arrangement
Colin stopped his drink mid-air. He had only briefly talked to Rosalie about Isabella after Addie’s birthday party, and it appeared she was already making a positive difference in his daughter’s life.
“You have the biggest heart of anyone I know, Addie girl.”
She smiled up at him so widely it was no wonder he was always putty in her hands.
“I love your dress. Is that a new one?” he asked, motioning to the deep-plum princess dress she wore.
She nodded her head as she took a giant bite out of a mini apple pie. “Luna had it made fow me to play in after I kept getting my event dwesses diwty outside.”
Colin chuckled. That was a very smart idea on Luna’s part, considering how much Addie liked adventures. “One day I’ll show you all your mom’s fancy dresses—the ones she wore to balls.” He popped a cheese Danish into his mouth.
Addie bounced in her seat. “I want to see all the dwesses.”
“I’ll take you to see them soon, my little princess.” Colin paused, trying to figure out how to broach the topic of dinner tonight with his daughter. “How would you feel about a special dinner with Luna tonight? You can pick whatever you want for the chefs to prepare.”
She clapped her hands together. “I want gwilled cheese. Will you and Wosie be thewe?”
“You know how we have our daddy-daughter dates?” Addie nodded, so he continued. “Tonight, I want to have a little husband-wife date with Rosalie. That means it will only be you and Luna for your grilled cheese dinner, but you can even watch a movie after with her if you’d like.”
“Gwilled cheeseanda movie?” Addie’s eyes went wide. “Have fun on your date.” Her smile dimmed as she bit her bottom lip.
“What is it, honey?”
“Do you need to bowwow Mr. Spwinkles? I weally want him to come eat gwilled cheese with me, but if you need him fow your date, you can have him.”
A smile formed on his lips. “That’s very nice of you to offer, princess. I think Mr. Sprinkles would prefer to stay with you and Luna, though.”
She sighed in relief. “Oh, good, he weally likes gwilled cheese.”
Addie had a smile on her face, and that was all that mattered to Colin.
That evening, Colin arrived in the family dining room ten minutes before dinner to ensure everything was set up as he had requested. He was pleased to see the table set for two. The staff had even gone a step further than he asked, bringing in a new centerpiece arrangement of white roses surrounded by light-pink flowers.
“You’re always early too?”
Rosalie’s voice had Colin spinning on his heels. “I wouldn’t say I’malwaysearly, but I do attempt to be.”
“My mom taught me that when you’re early, you’re punctual, and if you’re on time, you’re late.”
“That’s a good rule to live by.” He walked over to her chair, pulling it out and motioning for her to sit. She shot him a grateful smile that made something swirl up inside him. Surely it wasn’tfeelings. Colin shook his head, shoving down whatever it was.
He took the seat next to her, and the palace staff instantly placed the first course in front of them, lifting the domes in unison.
Hector gestured to the glass bowls in front of them. “For your first course, shrimp ceviche. Enjoy.”
Colin gestured for her to take the first bite, and after Rosalie finished, her smile was as warm as the summer sun.
“Do you like it?”
She moaned. “This is melt-in-your-mouth good.”
“Living right by the ocean has its perks.” Colin’s mouth tilted up at the corner.
“It’s definitely a plus to living here. Seafood is my favorite.”
“I know. You mentioned it at our first dinner together. That’s why I requested a three-course seafood menu tonight.”
She placed her hand on his forearm and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You remembered?”
