Page 39 of Loyally, Luke
Not for her heart.
Chapter7
The Daily Edge: Social Tattle from One Edge of Skymar to the Other
Another tattler spotted our reformed Princess Elliana out with Stoic Styles on what appeared to be a walk in Hyacinth Park on Wednesday evening. Did we even see the Duke of Styles smile? With a little PDA (note his hand on her back), could these two become a royal possibility for the future? She brings the crown and he brings the reputation. It’s a match fit for a princess trying to leave her past in the past.
Text from Maeve to Ellie:I only read The Edge so you don’t have to, but what the what? I met Stoic Styles once and it was like talking to a door.
Ellie:He’s actually very nice. Soft-spoken. Quiet. Very quiet. But nice.
Maeve:Reading between the lines, I’d say he’s nice and boring.
Ellie:He’s not boring. Not really. He’s merely quiet... and nice.
Maeve:You’ve typed “nice” three times in two messages. Just thought you ought to know. When I think of nice, I think of certain shirtless movie stars who will remain nameless.
Ellie:Sometimes I wonder if you’re a good influence on my reformation.
Maeve:Of course I am! I say all the things you won’t say, so you can stay demure and... nice.
Ellie:Oh hush! Christopher is a good man, I think. And once I get to know him better, perhaps I’ll find a sense of humor and bantering abilities beneath the decorum.
Maeve:There is nothing like great banter! It can tell you so much about a person.
Ellie:Yes, it’s delightful. And fun. And makes you laugh when you haven’t laughed in so long.
Maeve:Whoa... whoa... THIS is not Spotless Styles talk. Who is he, El? He’s the coffee guy, isn’t he?
Maeve:You’re not commenting, so I’m right. Oh! Didn’t you mention at lunch this weekend that he was a rather tall, dark, and handsome builder?
Ellie:I do not recall using any of those words besides tall and builder.
Maeve:Was there something about his shoulders...??
Ellie:I am certain I didn’t say anything about his broad shoulders.
Maeve:Broad? Ahh! I knew it. You’ve always had a thing for shoulders. Why aren’t you going after this guy?
Ellie:You are ridiculous! 1. He is an American who will return home in three months. 2. He is not interested in a life on display, I am certain. 3. He is not on the list and never will be. 4. See #1.
Maeve:1 and 2—People do a lot of amazing, crazy, and unthinkable things for love. 3. Lists can change.
Ellie:Not this list, especially since the expectation is to marry a Skymarian. And there is NO talk of love. There’s not even talk of like.
Maeve:You don’t have to say the “like” part. I can tell there’s already like.
Maeve:Don’t you think your parents want the best man for you? Sometimes, the very best things don’t come on a list. They come out of nowhere.
***
She’d been keeping her distance the past few days. Which was good. Especially for the way his thoughts responded to being near her. So why did he find his attention slipping in her direction or himself aching for another conversation?
Because he was stupid. That was why.
And because emotions led to their own private torture chamber. If he’d learned anything from the movies, let alone his past experiences, the poor guy usually had his heart beaten to smithereens before he ever made it to the end of the story.
And Luke wasn’t interested in smithereens, unless it was after Rambo took out his revenge.
