Page 20 of Royal Charmer
I nod. “I actually came up with an idea yesterday, the first one I’ve had in months, but my editor hated it.”
She crinkles her nose. “Sorry. What was it?”
“A love triangle where the men end up crushed. She said I was too bitter.” I shrug one shoulder. “I guess I am.”
Her eyes are sympathetic. “Anyone would need time to recover after expecting to be married and then not.”
“Yes, well, I have to turn in three chapters by next week, a full draft in two weeks, and I’ve got nothing. I’m already past the extension I asked for so I could have time to plan my wedding.” I sigh. “I’m basically looking at the end of my career, disappointing my loyal readers, and going home in utter defeat, tail between my legs.”
She laughs, surprising me. “So dramatic. No wonder you’re a writer.”
“Anna, I’m not being dramatic. It’s do-or-die time. Even worse, I’m completely unemployable. All I have is a bachelor’s degree in history and no marketable skills.”
“Girl, you’re an award-winning, bestselling author! All you need is a seed of inspiration. Maybe Villroy or the palace will trigger something for you.”
Her enthusiastic praise reassures me. Sometimes the voice in my head is too loud, shouting doomsday predictions that make it tough to move forward.
I find myself smiling. “Actually, Villroy has had a positive effect on me. Yesterday Lucas and I went out to the beach and—”
“Hold up. Lucas Rourke?”
“Um, yeah.”
“How did you meet Lucas?” She takes a bite of ham sandwich, her eyes sparkling like I’m about to dish some good gossip.
I sip my tea, remembering the awful moment I met Lucas, and then the wonderful way I ended the day with him. “Yesterday I was in the courtyard speaking in a firm loud voice to my editor, trying to convince her my love-triangle idea could work, and he joined me, thinking I was in distress over a love triangle personally, which, ironically, I am. That was why my fiancé and I broke up. Love triangle with my best friend, which I guess I was subconsciously recreating in my awful story idea. Anyway, Lucas was very kind and just sat and listened to me. He’s sensitive to women’s feelings.”
Her eyes bug out. “Lucas?” She gestures over her jaw. “The one with the beard?”
“Yes. Lucas Rourke.”
“He’s sensitive?”
“Very.” I take a bite of cucumber sandwich, replaying all the ways he’s been sensitive to my distress. He really has been wonderful and, without Riley to confide in, I haven’t had much support. Oh, my parents were indignant on my behalf, but the truth is my social circle is small. Aside from some local writers I meet up with to talk shop, I used to spend most of my time with Riley and Mason. Now they have each other, and I’m alone. My nails dig into my palm, and I force myself to relax. That business is behind me now. The Ordeal was hell, and now I’m safely on the other side.
Anna takes a sip of tea, watching me over the rim. “So he talked to you and then what?”
I brighten, thinking of Lucas again. “He gave me his number so we could get together later and burn a picture of my ex, or whatever memento I might want to burn. You know, as sort of a goodbye thing to get him out of my head. I only had my honeymoon lingerie on hand, which, of course, reminded me of what I was supposed to use it for, so that seemed like a good candidate for burning.” I lean forward. “You might be wondering why I brought the lingerie with me, and the answer is because it’s beautiful and I thought I might like to wear it just for myself. Anyway, once we were on the beach last night with the soft sand and soothing waves under a starry moonlit sky, I had such a sense of contentment come over me that I didn’t feel the need to burn anything after all. Having Lucas by my side made all the difference.” I smile, remembering his oath to me. “He’s a man of honor.”
She blinks. “That was quite poetic. Was he, um…”
“What?”
“He’s a charmer.”
“Oh, he’s much more than that! He’s kind, sensitive, and understanding. In just one day he helped me turn things around, and I’m already feeling a lot better. Though maybe getting a good night’s sleep helped too.”
She smiles brightly. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“He’s very committed to Villroy’s new business venture. I hope you know that about him too.” I clamp my mouth shut on the rest of what Lucas told me about his frustrations with Anna and Gabriel regarding his place in the business. Damn, I fear I’ve said too much already.
“Forget I said that business part, please,” I say. “Just know that he’s a lot more than a globe-trotting, charming bachelor. He’s deep and quite serious about his work.”
Anna hides a smile behind her teacup.
“What?”
“You sound like you’re into him.”
