Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
What has Luca been doing? “What?”
“And you look at him when you think no one else is watching.” Hannah frowns my way. “Which is why I’m confused. I thought you liked him. I was pulling for you.”
I simply shake my head, so at a loss for what to say. I don’t want to lie to her, but I can’t tell her I’m sleeping with Luca.
“I’m disappointed, Anika. You and Reg—who you call Luca at least once a day and try to cover it up—are perfect for each other. Watching the two of you give each other longing looks makes Shelby fake vomit. If we turned it into a drinking game, we would all have to get our stomachs pumped.”
Tears pool in my eyes because I hadn’t thought I was being open at all. Did everyone know how in love with this man I am? How vulnerable to him I am? I’m an open book, but the trouble is sometimes open books get their pages ripped out.
“You do care about him.” Hannah puts her hands on my shoulders. “Then why are you having an affair with some random crew guy?”
My mouth drops open. “I’m not sleeping with some dude from the crew.”
“Then who are…” She stops, and a knowing laugh leaves her throat. “Of course. How does he get in here?” She shakes her head. “Nope. Don’t want to know. But I’m shocked at how relieved I am that you’re not cheating on the guy we’re all dating.”
I’m not going to confirm or deny, but she knows so I ask what I want to ask. “I would think a lot of people would see that scenario as cheating. Not with Luca, but on the show.”
She seems to think for a moment and then nods. “You’re talking about the contest to win the heart of an actual king. Yeah, I know I came into this whole thing believing exactly that, but I’ve had my eyes opened, and not in a bad way. This is a business, but crazily enough the process they talk about worked for one of us. I know we have to hold out for drama for the show’s sake, but he’s made his choice. There’s nothing in my heart but love for you, Anika. I’m happy for you. And I’m happy for me because I think I found myself here. I know I found more than I ever expected.”
I reach for her hand. “I did, too.”
I thought I would find out if rumors were true and help out my boss. I never thought I would find the man of my dreams and make such amazing new friends.
She pulls me in for a hug. “I really am happy for you both.” She sniffles and steps back. “I know I shouldn’t ask, but if there’s any way you can convince him to keep Riley, I would appreciate it. If you can’t, that’s okay, too. She’s going to find out I meant what I said when I told her we’re in for life now.”
I watch her walk down the hallway a far more confident woman than the one I met weeks ago. Though she’s managed to keep her innate kindness.
“I want an invite to the wedding,” she says without looking back.
Shelby stops at the top of the stairs, and her nose wrinkles when she looks my way. “I better be there, too. It’s going to be a massive shit show. I wouldn’t miss it.”
I frown. It’s not going to be a shit show. It’s going to be a perfectly lovely royal wedding.
My breath catches because I realize I’m going to do it. I’m going to throw all caution to the wind and marry this man.
I sit down, and despite all the terrible things that have happened, I can’t help but smile.
Chapter Twenty-One
I check myself in the mirror before walking into the king’s choice ceremony. There’s a tension that’s played through the house today because no one wants to go home fifth. Even Hannah, who deeply believes Luca is going to pick me and has been practicing her final rejection tears, is a little on edge. I think that’s because she’s worried about Riley.
“Hey, baby. You want some sliders? They’re hot off the grill,” my mom says as I start to pass her.
I stop and put my hands on my hips, showing off the designer gown I spent way too much on for this ceremony. Well, Ivy did, but I’m paying her back. She tried to tell me I could wear the sucker and return it, but I took the tag off because I’m going to need something besides yoga pants and T-shirts in my upcoming job. I’m not going to bankrupt my new country, hence I shall keep this shiny emerald cocktail dress around for entertaining. Queens entertain a lot, I think. “If I eat one of your sliders, I won’t fit into this dress anymore.”