I stared at him, unable to respond.
His smile slipped. “You can refuse, of course. I would never force you to.”
“No!” The word came out louder than intended, startling Kuya just as he was reaching across the table for a cupcake. He snatched his hand back and flashed Sawyer a sheepish grin. “I mean, no, you misunderstood. I think I’m in shock. You wantmeto cater the ball?”
“We have chefs who will be in charge of the main course,” Sawyer said. “But I’d love for you to attend and showcase your desserts and specialty coffees. Not only will you be paid, but it’s also a good opportunity to build your café’s reputation even more. I can give you time to think it over.”
Nervous energy buzzed through me. But so did excitement. When would I ever get another chance like this?
“I don’t need any time to think. I’d be honored to do it. I should have enough time to plan a menu. I’ll need to hire someone else too, probably.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help,” Sawyer said.
“You’ve done plenty for me already.”
Sawyer picked up a grape from his bowl and tossed it at me. “Accept my help or brace yourself for my wrath.”
It bounced off my forehead and rolled across my empty plate. I popped it into my mouth. “Wrath of grapes? There’s a book with a similar title. I fell asleep reading it.”
“Kuya could work for Evan.” He slumped in his chair, placing a hand over his tanned belly and closing his eyes. “After he naps.”
Tenderness shone in Sawyer’s eyes. “No, you’re perfect right where you are.”
With his eyes still shut, Kuya smiled and flicked his tail, brushing Sawyer’s leg. Sawyer had said Briar, Maddox, and I made a good couple. But he and Kuya were cute together too. Even if they weren’tofficiallytogether.
Maybe they could never be.
“How’s the…” I shook my head. “Um, never mind. I don’t want to ruin the mood.”
“Tell me anyway,” Sawyer said.
“I was just wondering how your search for a bride is going. I heard you recently met with a baron’s daughter.”
“Oh. That.” Just as I feared, Sawyer’s face fell. Then, as if realizing it, he forced a small smile. “The search has come to an end. Lady Alina will make for a fine wife. Beautiful, poised, and from a well-respected family who has always shown loyalty to the crown. My mother believes it’s a perfect match.”
It was the first time he’d ever mentioned his mother. Other than him and Cedric, I hadn’t met any other members of the royal family.
“My father approves of the match as well,” he continued. “Alina and I aren’t yet officially engaged, but I’m supposed to meet with her again in the coming weeks. It’s only a matter of time before the engagement is announced.”
Kuya opened his eyes and stared at the table, a slight wobble in his chin.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “It’s fucked up that you can’t choose who you want to marry.” It was also fucked up that I, a nobody, had more freedom than a damn prince. I was free to love and marry whoever I wanted, while he was chained to tradition and forced to throw away his chance at love in order to strengthen political alliances.
“Marriage is merely a tool for power. No matter how much I wish it were something greater.” Sawyer laughed under his breath. “I suppose that makes me sound just like my uncle.”
“Your uncle?”
“I was very young when he died,” Sawyer said. “Too young to remember him. But he shared the same views of marriage. He felt it should be for love, not duty. And he caused quite the scandal because of it.”
“What kind of scandal?” I asked, well-aware that I was digging for gossip like a bored housewife. But come on. It wasn’t every day you got to talk to a prince and hear about his scandalous uncle.
“He broke off his engagement to one woman to run away with another.”
“Oh damn.” I grabbed a roll of bread and took a huge bite. It wasn’t warm anymore, but I didn’t care. Bread was bread. And it was heavenly. “What happened next?”
“Well, his actions deepened the conflict with the kingdom of Haran. Because the woman he abandoned was the crown princess. His marriage to her was intended to finally unite our kingdoms, but he divided us further.”
“Wow.”
