Page 20 of Gotta Have Mistletoe
Glen’s eyes widen, and I hope I’m not making everything worse.
“He went into the wrong room,” I continue. “It was a simple mix-up.”
“Yes, that’s correct,” Glen says eagerly.
We gaze at the businessman.
“You’re out of luck. I’m using my Vegas contractor.” The businessman marches away, and I hate the way Glen’s shoulders slump. They only go down a couple of millimeters, but I notice all the same, and abhor it.
“I’m s-sorry,” I stammer out to Glen.
“Not your fault, Your Majesty,” Glen says. He nods to Anders. “Nice speaking to you, Prince.”
I suspect listening to awkward sexuality revelations don’t precisely count as pleasant conversations, but he’s more of a gentleman than anyone I met at court.
Then he leaves.
Despite what he said, this is my fault.
I remain melancholic when we return to the hotel.
I am not having a nervous breakdown.
I am a king.
But I’ve never felt less royal in my life. Guilt embeds itself into each cell, and I lie on the couch in the suite as Olav paces the room.
“Remember when I kept saying it wasn’t too late?” Olav asks finally.
I straighten. “Yes.”
“At this point, it is too late.”
My shoulders slump, then I glower. “There must be a way. Find it. Execute it.” I wave my hand around. “Do your royal advising thing.”
“I can call Miss Haugeland and tell her that this man misspoke, Your Majesty.”
I nod eagerly. “Do that.”
“But it won’t work. Unless you want me to tell Miss Haugeland you mistook a tree-delivery man for your fiancée.”
I leap from the couch. “He’s a contractor. He runs his own business!”
Olav bites his lower lip. Maybe it’s to keep from smiling. But in the next moment he’s huffing and rolling his eyes again, and I hate it.
Olav is not being helpful.
It doesn’t matter. I can come up with ideas. In fact...
“Fear not,” I assure him, and my shoulders might be expanding slightly. “I have an idea.”
“Oh, no. Not another one of your ideas.”
I scowl at Olav. “Give me a few hours.”
“Don’t contact the cowboy. You’ll just worsen the situation.”
I cross my arms. Olav is not being helpful. Of course, I’m going to contact Glen. I just got him fired. I have a solution that will help us both. “Goodbye, Olav.”
