Page 24 of 2 Cherries for My Dad's Best Friend

Haakon lets out a rude snort, his expression disgusted.

“I don’t think so. My family is royal, sweetheart, and very, very wealthy. There are a lot of folks who would love to get their paws on my inheritance. Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to go. Matilda, are you ready?” he asks in a sharp voice. “Get your purse.”

“No, no!” I protest. “My boyfriend really is your brother! He can take a DNA test to prove it.”

Haakon won’t even look at us.

“Matilda,” he says in an urgent tone. “Let’s go before I have to call security. Come on,” he says, taking her by the elbow.

But then, I pull out my trump card.

“Killian has a double-dick,” I blurt in a rush. “He can show you if you want. Isn’t that the special genetic insignia of the Lysenian royal men? Killian is the real thing, I promise.”

Haakon still won’t look at us. He tugs on his partner’s elbow, practically dragging Matilda out of the suite.

“Come on,” he says, completely ignoring us. “Let’s go. We’re going to be late for the fundraiser, and you know how important it is.”

But this time, it’s Matilda who turns.

“Well, I don’t know,” she says in a slow voice. “It could be true, Haakon. What if these people aren’t lying? Your father has always been the inscrutable type, and who knows what Fjall got up to forty years ago?”

Haakon snorts.

“My father is completely dedicated to my mother,” he says in a tight voice. “Let’s go.”

But Matilda won’t be persuaded.

“Yes, but this would have beenbeforehe met your mom,” she says. “I think we owe it to your family to suss things out.”

Now, Haakon stops in his tracks.

“Are you serious?”

Matilda shrugs with a sassy smile on her lovely features.

“Yes, because I’m curious. There aren’t many men who can claim to have a double-dick, and I’ve never seen one outside of your own, my dear husband. So let’s see if this man can prove it. After all, if they want to play with fire … then let’s see if they’ll get burned.”

Without further ado, Matilda steps back into the apartment as Haakon watches his wife in disbelief. But this is our moment, and I seize the opportunity. Taking Killian’s hand in my own, I drag my boyfriend into the suite, although there’s some reluctance on his part.

“Come on,” I whisper under my breath. “We’re in!”

Killian shoots me a warning look.

“This isn’t a good idea, Leah,” he whispers in return. “This isn’t going to turn out the way you think.”

But I’ve always been an optimist and once we’re in the sitting area, I turn to face the royal couple.

“Thanks for giving us a chance,” I say. “I promise you won’t regret it because Killian really is one of you. Drop trou,” I command, turning to my boyfriend. “Show them what you’ve got, baby.”

But to my consternation, Killian shakes his head.

“Absolutely not,” he says in a stubborn voice. “Are you kidding? I don’t know these people. I’m not going to show my privates to them.”

My jaw drops.

“Killian, this is your chance!” I hiss in a stage whisper. “Come on! Out with it! Just pretend you’re at the urologist or something. It’s not a big deal. This is your time to shine!”

He shakes his head at me.

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