Page 117 of Appointing

“Sex, Ingrid. How was it?”

“Sarah, I’m not going to talk to you about this.”

“You did with Britt.”

“No, you berated me until I confirmed that our sex was good but nothing to write home about.”

“So, pretend I’m berating you now.” The woman scooted over on their sofa.

“We didn’t. We haven’t yet.”

“What? I stayed later at work to give you two time.”

“This isn’t university where I want to squeeze in a quickie before my roommate gets home, Sarah,” Ingrid stated in a harsher tone than she’d meant.

“Oh, okay. Sorry. I–”

“No,I’msorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Howdidyou mean it?”

“I just meant that I want it to be special when we do that.”

“I get that,” Sarah replied.

“But it’s hard. I live here with you. She lives in a palace, and only some of them know we’re together, so there’s–”

“Together? It’s official now?”

Ingrid smiled before confirming, “Yes, it’s official. We’re together.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

“Like I want to make love with my girlfriend.”

“Who is the Queen of Norway,” Sarah said.

“Who isElin– this gorgeous, clumsy, and confident contradiction, who I’m totally crazy about.”

“Obviously,” Sarah teased. “Do you want me to stay with a friend tonight? I can call–”

“No, I’m not kicking you out of your house, Sarah. Besides, I don’t think she’s ready yet.”

“No?”

“No, she still can’t even say the word ‘sex’ around me. It’s really cute,” Ingrid replied.

“She can’t say ‘sex?’”

“No. I was her secretary for three years; I think she’s still adjusting to us being more than that.”

“Well, if she can’tsayit, you guys probably shouldn’t behavingit.”

“I’m working on it,” Ingrid replied. “But tonight, I will be perfectly happy just falling asleep next to her.” She stood up and walked toward her room. “Donotdrink all the tea I just bought; it’s for her.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Sarah joked as she laughed. “Wait. If you two end up getting married, am I going to have to call you Queen Consort?”

“I think the correct title would be Her Royal Highness,” Elin answered that question instead, emerging from the bedroom in her pajamas. “And I’m going to brush my teeth.” She kissed Ingrid on the cheek.

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