Page 4 of Royal Player
Adrian inclines his head at me, and I stand taller. He’s good with me on board.
Lucas’s lips press into a flat line.
I tense. Is he going to cut me out? Does he think I’m not serious enough? I can be as serious as a heart attack when it means something to me.
But then he says, “The only place to build a casino is in the lot next to the spa, and that’s where we planned an upscale restaurant featuring local seafood.”
I let out a breath. It’s not me he’s not sold on, it’s the casino. “We could have both. A restaurant in the casino.” Now that I put my oar in, I’m excited about the idea. I can be part of something vital to the kingdom from the ground up. Partnered with card shark Adrian, this could be a huge success.
“But it wouldn’t be upscale seafood in a casino,” Lucas counters.
“Why not?” Adrian says. “I’m not just talking slots. I’m talking exclusive private lounges for high rollers. An upscale restaurant could fit right in.”
The conversation gets loud as everyone voices their opinions on the business and future growth, and I’m energized in a way I haven’t been since my injury. I never thought the kingdom would need me for anything. Finally, there’s a way for me to contribute to the kingdom and help it thrive.
Our conversation is cut short when our butler, Nolan, loudly clears his throat and intones, “Her Highness, Princess Mary Louise Lyon.”
I’m annoyed because I want to talk business, but then I turn and get my first look at her—
Lightning strike.
I’m stunned. My jaw goes slack, the blood rushing through my veins. I can’t tear my eyes off her. I’ve never felt so completely struck by another person. Is this love at first sight?
Ridiculous. No such thing.
I feel really strange, my brain fuzzy, my mouth dry. She resembles Anna—similar height, taller than most women, same long, dark curly hair, heart-shaped face, and brown eyes. What is it about her? She’s incandescent, radiating with the glow of good health and vitality, her smile big and bright.
My intense reaction makes no sense. It must belustat first sight. Though I’ve never felt the least lustful toward the similar-looking Anna. I can’t stop staring at her.
“Polly!” Anna exclaims, heading toward her.
Polly opens her arms. “Anna!”
I can feel my pulse in my throat, hyperaware and alert. Polly dresses more conservatively than Anna, wearing a short-sleeved pale pink dress with matching heels, as is fitting for a royal. Anna is an American commoner who dresses to please herself in body-hugging clothes and plenty of leopard prints. She wears more conservative clothes for official royal occasions.
They rush into a hug, then pull apart, exclaiming over each other. Gabriel is smiling. He’s met her before. Polly rushes to hug him, which is surprising because most people are too intimidated to even touch Gabriel, and then she turns to the rest of us, smiling. “Hi, everyone, I’m so pleased to finally meet you! Anna has told me such wonderful things about your family.” Her accent is American. Anna told us that Polly spent most of her childhood at a boarding school in the US and attended college there as well.
Anna makes the introductions, starting with my mother. Polly’s enthusiasm is contagious. My extremely proper reserved mother is smiling. Lucas and Alice look charmed by her. Only Adrian remains reserved, but he often is. Polly winks at him. Adrian maintains his poker face.
And then, finally, she gets to me. My mouth is like sand, every smooth flirty move fleeing my brain.
“This is Oscar,” Anna says. “Oscar, Polly.”
“Nice to meet you,” I manage.
Polly barely reacts, staring unblinking before murmuring, “You too.” She turns to Anna, asking cheerfully, “How’re you feeling?”
She didn’t give me a second look. Me! The good-looking one! She winked at Adrian.
I amnotjealous. Just surprised.
Anna looks down at her bulging stomach and sighs. “I’m tired, huge, and feel like I need to pee all the time. The baby dropped, and her head is, like, right here—” she gestures to her groin “—pressing on my bladder.”
We all stare.
My mother looks to the ceiling, biting her tongue. She finds Anna’s outspoken ways hard to take.
Anna goes on, oblivious to Mother’s discomfort. Or maybe she just doesn’t care. “I’m due in three weeks. Thank God you got off probation in time to be here for the birth!”
