Page 47 of A Royal Arrangement
Bri twisted her head to look at him. “How do you know what tropes are?”
“I listen to you drone on and on, breaking down your favorite romantic-comedy movies.”
“I don’t talk about themthatmuch.”
Drew looked at Rosalie and held his hand up to block his mouth but instead nodded exaggeratedly. Bri threw a chunk of bread at him even though she wore a smirk.
Rosalie had been waiting for the day that Bri and Drew would start dating. In her opinion, it wasn’t a matter ofifbutwhen. They were perfect for each other, but they likely wouldn’t listen to outside opinions. They needed to realize it for themselves.
“Anywaaay,” Bri drew out the word, giving Drew a pointed look before turning back to Rosalie. “You said you’re opposites, but that doesn’t really say much about how you’re doing. It’s not like you’re dating and trying to figure out if you’ll work together. You’remarried.”
Rosalie sighed. “I guess I’m still trying to figure out how we’re doing myself. Things have been…strained lately. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster ever since I arrived at the palace. We just need to be more intentional during our one-on-one time so we can really get to know each other on a deeper level.”
“Well, you’re gorgeous and the sweetest human. He would be a fool if he didn’t want to get to know you,” Bri said.
“She’s right. It’s his loss if he doesn’t see how great you are. Sometimes it takes men a little bit of time to come around.” Drew ate the last piece of bread from his plate before setting it on the table.
Rosalie really hoped Drew was right and that Colin would come around soon. With the kind words from herRoyally Yoursfriends, along with Bri and Drew, she finally felt a semblance of confidence in herself and her ability to move forward and win over her husband.
Chapter Fifteen
Colin
It had been four days since Colin had talked to Rosalie on the beach. It had been four days since he had really talked to herat all—not for his lack of trying, though.
Rosalie had taken breakfast and lunch in her room every day, so he had only seen her briefly when the royal families from Glencrest and Westridge visited and at dinners. But she had avoided eye contact every evening, only conversing with Addie.
It was strange for him to admit, but Colin missed her. He missed her smile and contagious laugh. He missed their games of chess. He missed her optimistic attitude and how she made him feel like everything was going to be okay. He missed the playful look on her face whenever she teased him.
He simply missed being around her.
Colin hadn’t pushed her to talk because he didn’t want it to feel forced. It was best to wait for her to be ready to sit down and have an open and honest conversation with him, but it was starting to eat him up inside that he hadn’t been able to apologize to her yet.
Today was the day he hoped to change that.
It was past time that he went out of his way to do something nice for her again. She hadn’t left the palace yet,aside from when they had attended the press conference and parade after their wedding and her trip to the spa. He needed to take Rosalie to do something she would enjoy.
One of the things he’d learned about her was that she loved being outdoors, especially around the ocean. However, it was a little bit early in the summer to take her out on the royal family’s yacht.
He knew of a local farm a short drive away that allowed guests to visit and pick their own fresh fruits and veggies. Surely there would be some type of berry ripe this time of year that they could pick and bring back to Gloria to bake something delicious.
He had a palace secretary contact the farm to make sure they would be the only visitors. When he arrived at his study, he penned a note to Rosalie, inviting her on the date.
Dear Rosalie,
If it would be agreeable to you, I wish to accompany you on an outing to a local farm to pick some fresh berries. I know how much you enjoy Gloria’s baked goods, and I thought it might be fun for us to pick something for her to use in one of her creations.
I would also like to continue our conversation from the beach. I believe we both have more to say.
Please let me know if this works with your schedule.
Yours,
Colin
Colin’s brow furrowed as he reread it.Way too mushy.He crumpled up the piece of paper, shooting it into the trashcan near his desk like it was a mini basketball. He set a new sheet on his desk and worked at writing a new note.
Rosalie,
