Page 94 of Awaiting

“You don’t?”

“No, Ido, but not in my champagne. I took a chance and thought you might. If you don’t, I can ask them to–”

“I do,” Bexley interrupted. “I do.”

Alex watched as Bexley took a sip, with her eyes glued to Alex’s over the glass. Alex gulped audibly and was glad for the roar of the plane’s engines drowning it out.

“You don’t have to wine and dine me, you know?” Bexley told her. “I’m a small-town girl. I’ve been on dates to McDonald’s before.”

“Someone took you to McDonald’s on a date?!” Alex asked.

Bexley laughed and said, “Yes. But that’s what I mean, Alex. I don’t need fancy champagne. And Iknowthis is fancy because it tastes way better than the nine-dollar stuff I’ve bought at the grocery store for New Year’s Eve.”

“Well, I’mnottaking you to McDonald’s,” Alex stated.

Bexley laughed again and said, “I didn’t expect you would.”

“Bexley, I want to treat you well. I want to…”

“I’m only saying that I don’tneedthese things, Alex. I know we didn’t stay at the palace because it’s a packed house, but I don’t need to be flown around the world or given expensive alcohol. I’m perfectly content going to a drive-thru to grab my favorite fast food and watching a movie with someone on my couch.”

“Would we be snuggled up on that couch?” Alex asked, taking a drink of her own champagne.

“It’s a possibility,” Bexley replied.

“It’s a good thing, then. My place in Wales isn’t exactly fit for a Queen, Bex.” Alex winked.

CHAPTER 28

“Do you speak Welsh?” Bexley asked.

“Not really, no. I tried learning it when I was younger, but I’m not good with languages, unfortunately,” Alex replied as the car stopped. “We’re here.” She smiled over at Bexley.

Bexley looked out the window and said, “There’s water over there.”

“Well, the cottage isonthe water, so that makes sense.”

“It’s a cottage?” Bexley asked, smiling.

“I told you it wasn’t fancy.”

Alex climbed out of the car, holding her hand out for Bexley to take. After she helped Bexley out of the car, they stood, looking at her tiny house by the water.

“It’s perfect,” Bexley replied. “When did you get it?”

“About five years ago,” she replied. “I was in Wales on an official visit, and I wanted to spend time with that friend from university I mentioned. He lives just over there.” Alex pointed with her free hand to a house on the edge of a cliff. “So, it’s easy for him to take care of the place for me. I pay him, obviously, but I think he’d do it anyway. This is his hometown. He loves this place. Turn around,” she added.

Bexley did as she was told, letting go of Alex’s hand in the process as Alex followed. They stared out at the water, which was way too cold for swimming pretty much all the time, but there were boats out beyond the cliffs. When Bexley rejoined their hands again and entwined their fingers, Alex cleared her throat. Bexley leaned into her then, loving that she somehow madethiswoman nervous.

“It’s cold,” Bexley noted.

“Do you want to go inside?” Alex asked.

“Security stays out here, right?”

“Yes. They’ve rented three houses. They’ll be all right,” Alex replied, kissing the top of Bexley’s head. “Come on. Are you hungry?”

“A little.”

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