Page 41 of Ways To Ruin A Royal Reputation

Not when her smile was already showing signs of strain.

“Yes, but she’s not wearing sunscreen.” He set his glass on a drinks tray carried by passing waitstaff. “Excuse me while I rescue her.”

Amy gratefully went into Luca’s arms when he invited her to dance.

“How are you holding up?” he asked as he led her into a smooth waltz. Was therenothingthis man didn’t do perfectly?

“I underestimated what I was asking of my clients in the past, when I’ve said, ‘Just smile while they take your photo.’ My fault, I guess, for choosing this dress.”

His expression flickered through amusement and ended up as something more contemplative. “There’s a commentary there on how much attention we give to what women wear, but I’d rather not think too hard when I’ve finally got you to myself.”

“I’ll wear a tuxedo next year,” she said, then faltered as she realized it sounded like she assumed she would be with him next year.

“Or pajamas,” he suggested.

She relaxed. “I’m glad they’ve been well received, but I can’t take the credit.”

“Why not? Sofia and I wouldn’t have ordered any if the option hadn’t been presented.”

Even so, the queen and former king had each preordered a hundred pair, asking that they be donated to long-term care facilities throughout Vallia. With that example set, guests were ordering in factors of ten, rather than the one or two pair Amy had anticipated.

“Do you want to visit the pajama factory while we’re in Asia?” Luca asked.

“Oh. Um...” She nearly turned her ankle again. “While you’re doing that award thing in Tokyo? I mean, yes. I’d love to connect with the manufacturer and be sure it’s a fair wage factory, like they claim. Double-check the quality.”

“Get a photo op? We’ll go together.”

“Look at you, doing my job for me.”

“I’m in the midst of a career change. Willing to try new things.”

She chuckled, more from happiness than humor, but he made hersohappy. Glowingly, deliriously lighthearted and hopeful and filled with a sense that she was the luckiest person alive. Especially when his gaze swung down to connect with hers, conveying pride and sexy heat.

This optimism was strange because she had learned the hard way not to look to a man to make her happy. She knew it had to come from within, but even though she would have said she was very content prior to meeting Luca, she felt far more alive and excited now that she was with him. Colors were brighter, music more tear-inducing, her confidence unshakable.

She wondered if this was what being in love felt like—

Oh.

He steadied her, pausing to give her a small frown. “How much have you had to drink?”

“One glass. I was just...distracted for a moment,” she lied.

They resumed dancing, but her whole body was fizzing with the realization that her heart had gift wrapped itself and stolen under his tree.

She was in love with him. How it had happened so quickly didn’t matter. It had. Because this wasn’t a hero-worship crush gone wrong. Or sexual infatuation—although that was definitely a big part of it.

It was deep concern for his well-being. Admiration for his principles and intelligence and laconic wit. It was a compulsion to trust him with all of her secrets and a depthless yearning for him to return her regard.

The words clogged her throat, but it was too soon. Too public. Too new.

But as they continued dancing, she thought it with each step.

I love you. I love you.

The next days were busy.

Luca was in meetings to redefine his new role and Amy worked remotely, attempting to mitigate the damage her scandal had done to London Connection and her career.

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