Page 86 of A Royal Arrangement
Keep reading for a bonus epilogue!
Bonus Epilogue
Bri
Bri reached over and squeezed her best friend, Drew’s, hand. He turned to face her, shooting her a genuine smile before he helped her exit their row.
Their childhood friend Rosalie had just finished her wedding vow renewal ceremony. It had been beautiful and heartfelt. Bri loved seeing her friend so happy, and she also loved the excuse to come back to Edgemont. The setting was breathtaking, from the ocean views to the mountainous and rocky landscape surrounding it.
She had mountains of her own surrounding the Westridge Palace, but there was something about mountains next to the ocean that was calming to her.
Drew led her to a large table where canapés were being served. She should’ve known that was where he would go. He never turned down food.
Bri filled her plate with feta and watermelon skewers while Drew’s plate was piled high with anything with meat, potatoes, or cheese.
He nodded at her plate with a smile. “You and watermelon, huh?”
“It’s the most superior food. It hydrates you while also tasting delicious.” She popped one of the cubes into her mouth.
Drew shook his head with a smirk on his face.
They stood in comfortable silence while they ate. He finished off his giant stack of appetizers just as she ate her last watermelon cube. Drew disposed of their plates, always the gentleman.
When he returned, he said, “I can’t believe one of our childhood friends is married.”
“I know. It feels like we’re too young to get married, doesn’t it?” Bri asked.
Drew grew uncharacteristically quiet. She peered up at him and noticed he was biting his cheek, so she grabbed his side right in the spot where she knew he was the most ticklish.
“Stop!” he cried out in a squeal, grabbing her wrists so she couldn’t move.
“Why are you acting so weird?”
“I’m not acting weird.”
She shot him a look.
“Fine. I’m just starting to think it’s not that young to get married.” Drew shrugged his shoulder and let go of his hold on her.
Bri placed her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow. “Mr. I-Don’t-Have-Time-To-Date is thinking aboutmarriage? Do you know how much time you’ll have to devote to a spouse? A lot more than the time it takes to go on a few dates.”
“I didn’t say I was getting marriedtomorrow.” Drew slung his arm around her shoulder. “I’ve just been thinking about it more, is all.”
She wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned into him. Bri was about to ask him why he was thinking about it more when someone announced it was time for Rosalieand Colin’s first dance. They moved closer to the dance floor and watched.
The love between the two of them was so apparent. Colin looked at Rosalie as if she was the light of his universe, and Rosalie looked at him the same way. It made Bri’s heart long to find that same feeling one day.
Once the dance had concluded, she clapped with everyone else in attendance.
Drew nudged her arm. “I’m going to go find our table. Do you want to grab us drinks?”
She nodded and walked back to the drink table, grabbing two cups of sweet tea. Bri scanned the crowd, spotting Drew next to what she assumed was their assigned dinner table. She walked toward him, and when she was close enough, Bri noticed he was holding a piece of paper, staring at it intently.
Since he was an only child—making him the first person in line for the Glencrest throne—Bri knew he took his work seriously. But bringing it to their friend’s wedding was unusual, even for him.
Bri smacked his arm with the back of her hand once she had set down their drinks. “You seriously brought paperwork to a wedding? It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.”
Drew quickly shoved whatever he was looking at back in his suit coat pocket before she could catch a glimpse. “It’s not work.”
