Page 57 of A Royal Arrangement
Colin didn’t have to tell her twice. She quickly followed him.
“Where are we going? What are we doing?”
“You ask a lot of questions. Patience, sunshine.”
Sunshine.The memory came flooding back of him calling her that while he soothed her when she was sick, wrapped in his arms.
“Why did you start calling me sunshine?”
Colin’s shoulders tensed. “I guess it’s like how I call Addie my little princess. Sunshine is just what you are.”
She wrapped her arm through his, holding close to him as they walked together. “I don’t think anyone has ever given me a better compliment.”
“You deserve more than that,” he whispered so low that she wasn’t sure if he had said it at all.
Rosalie was about to look up to ask him what he meant when they arrived at the room that must hold her surprise. Colin opened the door for her, and she slowly stepped into the room, peering around. It looked like it always did…just a few couches and tables in the space, and nothing appeared to be out of place.
She was about to turn and ask Colin if this was some kind of prank when suddenly Charlotte, Sienna, and Bridgette popped up from behind the couch.
“Surprise!” they squealed, running across the room to her. Rosalie didn’t even have time to react before she was pulled into a group hug so tight she couldn’t breathe.
When they finally let go of their hold, she released a large gasp, looking back and forth between all her friends. “What are you doing here?” she asked, pulling them in for another group hug.
“His Majesty invited us.” Charlotte waggled her eyebrows just like her husband, Liam, always did.
Rosalie had entirely forgotten Colin was there. She whipped her head around, sending him what she hoped was one of her most dazzling, genuine smiles. He had done allthis for her. He had gone out of his way to invite her friends here. He had gone out of his way to make her happy.
“Thank you,” she said to him, and he nodded, a ghost of a smile on his lips.
“You’re welcome. They’ll be here for a week, so you can spend some good quality time with them.” His eyes moved past her to her friends. “Any friends of Rosalie are friends of mine. Please call me Colin. I look forward to getting to know each of you.” He checked his watch. “I have a board meeting, so I’ll leave you all to catch up.”
The instant he left the room, all her friends were grabbing her arm, pulling her to the couch, and bombarding her with comments and questions.
“Oh, my goodness.” Bridgette fanned her face. “He’s so much more handsome in person. You’re a lucky girl.”
“I wasstunnedwhen Colin reached out to us. What’s happened since we last talked?”
“Yes, what changed, Ro? Colin couldn’t keep his eyes off you.” Charlotte grabbed her hand and squeezed, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Like, seriously.” Bridgette sank back into the couch cushions with a sigh. “Do you sit and stare at him all day long? I would.”
“Hey.” Rosalie poked Bridgette in the side. “He’s my man.”
“I know, but I can still appreciate God’s beautiful creation.” Bridgette laughed.
“I guess I’ll allow it.” She winked. “Okay, so to cover everything you all said. Yes, he’s the most handsome man I’ve seen in my entire life. Ladies…”—Rosalie placed her hands on her knees, leaning forward—“somuch has happened.”
She caught them up on everything that had happened since their last video call. Rosalie told them about the berry-picking date, how Colin had taken care of her when she was sick, the Freedom Day celebration, their latest chess match, and the birthday cake he and Addie had made for her from scratch.
They were all silent when she finished talking.
“Wow,” Bridgette said, breaking the silence. “It sounds like he’s had a change of heart.”
Sienna nodded. “And you not talking to him for those few days after your chat on the beach appears to have really shaken him up.”
“And shaken some sense into him,” Charlotte chimed in.
“I still can’t believe you’re all here. It’s going to be the best week ever.” Rosalie stood, biting back tears at having her friends there with her. “Do you want a tour?”
