Page 89 of Appointing

“Your Majesty, Mr. Markus–”

“Just one minute,” Elin interrupted the attendant.

“Let him in, Elin. I’ll call you tonight, okay?”

Ingrid smiled at her and then turned to leave the room. She passed Markus on her way out.

“Ingrid?” he asked, surprised.

“Hi, Markus. Nice to see you again.”

“Can I help you with anything?”

“No, I got what I came here for.” She smiled more to herself than to Markus.

???

“You did it? You asked our Queen out on a date?” Sarah Anne asked.

“I did.” Ingrid couldn’t stop her smile.

“And she said yes?”

“Sarah, you can’t say anything about this. You know she’s–”

“I wouldn’t;youknow that,” Sarah interrupted her. “You’re going on a date with a freaking Queen, Ingrid.” Her sister laughed.

“I’m nervous enough. I don’t need you making it worse.”

“You should be nervous; she’s a Queen.”

“She’s Elin,” Ingrid said.

“Who is the Queen,” Sarah added.

“But she wasn’t always. And… God, I think I’ve had these feelings since we met, and I just didn’t know. How stupid was I?”

“It happens. I mean, you thought she was straight. Plus, she’s royalty, so I can get why you wouldn’t put two and two together. So, when is the big day, and what are you wearing? You can borrow something of mine if you need to. You don’t exactly have date clothes.”

“I do too.”

“No, you have interview clothes and work clothes; you donothave date clothes.”

“I don’t know yet. We’re going to talk tonight. I’m supposed to call her.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Call the woman.”

“It’s probably early. She’s still working.”

“So? Just text her and ask her to let you know when she’s done or something. Do Queens text?”

Ingrid’s phone buzzed on the table.

“Holy shit! It’s her,” Sarah Anne noted, looking at the lit-up screen.

“It’s her?” Ingrid asked, quickly reaching for the phone and checking the readout. “It’s her?” she asked in a softer voice.

“Oh, my God!” Sarah laughed. “What did she say?”

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