Page 66 of Royal Agenda

Sean landed in the swivel chair behind his desk and spun slowly from side to side. “You know… Grace doesn’t seem like a flowers and expensive dinner kind of girl.”

Ryker narrowed his eyes and waited for the punchline. With Sean, there was always a punchline.

“I think she’d like a private dinner in say . . . the library–don’t you think, Liam?” He swiveled that way, waiting for an answer. His casual posture and attitude were meant to rake across Ryker’s straight spine, but Sean might be helping him and so he bit his tongue.

Liam nodded slowly. “La Bella Bella caters. The owner owes me a favor for updating his online security.”

Mack threw his arm over the back of the couch. “I did an addition on a beach house for a guy who can help with transportation.” He picked at a seam on the couch cushion. “Grace might get a kick out of something other than a golf cart.”

Hope blossomed and then blew up inside of him. “Si. Si!” It didn’t matter if Mack came up with a motorcycle and a sidecar–he’d take it as long as he could be with Grace.

Sean shifted and then stood. “I’m on lighting.”

Mack opened his mouth. Sean pointed at him. “Shut up. It’ll be better than your stupid transportation.” He said the last word in a mocking tone.

Mack scoffed. “We’ll see.”

Liam placed a call to La Bella Bella, asking for the owner.

Ryker ran his hand along his jaw. “We do not have much time.”

“When do you pick her up?” asked Mack with a yawn.

“Seven-thirty.”

Sean sprang into action, he bumped Ryker from behind as he passed. “What are you standing around for? We have a date.” He headed to the back of the warehouse and began moving boxes around.

“We?” Ryker asked.

Mack approached, his face serious. “If we do this, you have to know that you are our priority. If it comes down to saving you or Grace, we’ll take you.”

Ryker grit his teeth. “It will not come to that.”

Sean and Liam exchanged dark looks.

Mack slapped Ryker on the back. “You better come up with a good apology and a way to keep her around. I’m not wasting my transportation favor on a disaster, got it?”

“I have that covered. She will not be able to resist my charms.”

“Riiiight,” Mack replied. “Liam! I need a ride.”

Liam grabbed his keys off the hook by the door, and they left. The moment the door opened, the bird took flight.

Ryker’s stomach churned. With these three in charge of his date, he would have to be good. Who knew what they considered lighting and dinner and–gulp–transportation? They rarely ate food that required forks, and Sean wore flip-flops for heaven’s sake.

He rubbed his palms together, hoping inspiration would strike before he picked up Grace because, at this moment, he had nothing.

Twenty-Five

A knock at the door had Grace’s stomach fluttering and moisture gathering at her hairline. She snatched a tissue off the side table and patted at it. No way was she going to greet Ryker in a sweaty mess. She barely had time to get ready for tonight and had not had a second to look up the missing prince online.

It was so infuriating! Every time she turned around someone desperately needed to talk to her about their genealogy, and she hadn’t gotten out of the main building until six. At that time, she had to decide between an internet search or getting ready for her date.

After a quick look in the full-length mirror to make sure she hadn’t tucked her dress into her underwear, she hurried to the front door.

Grandma had let Ryker in and he looked incredible in a moss green button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal his corded and tan forearms. All the air whooshed out of her lungs, and she pressed her hand to her chest. This man commanded the room and her attention. He couldn’t help it, it was the way he was made.

Ryker–always so in tune with her–turned and his jaw dropped. “Grace. You are the most beautiful woman who has ever lived.”

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