“You wouldn’t understand.”
There were a few cardinal rules in life—one was that you didn’t piss off a redhead. I knew I'd made an error the minute the words left my mouth.
Folding her arms across her chest, there was a steel edge to her tone. “Would you like to try that again?”
“I’m sorry, Ames. My life is ending, and I’m not handling it well.”
“Two heads are better than one. Lay it out for me, and maybe we can figure out a solution together.”
Leaning my face into my pillow, I took a deep breath. “Okay. I was called to Grandfather’s office today, where he made me a deal.”
Amy’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of deal?”
“If I agree to marry a man of his choosing, then I get to step away from royal duties and focus on fashion.”
One of the things I loved most about Amy was that she was level-headed, rational to a fault. She took her time thinking, contemplating the best choice of words instead of blurting out whatever came into her head—something I struggled with, especially when provoked by a certain someone. I could see the wheels turning in her head, but she gave nothing away.
Tilting her head, she assessed me before stating, “You said yes blindly.”
Normally, I would be offended that I was so transparent, but barely a week ago, I’d begged Liam to go to bat for me and help me obtain more freedom.
Nodding into my pillow, a fresh set of tears fell from my eyes. “It seemed almost too good to be true. Should have seen it coming.”
“Can you take it back? Turn down the offer? Ask for another suitor, perhaps?”
I shook my head. “There won’t be another option. It’s Preston or no deal. If I go back with my tail between my legs, I’d be giving up on my dream.”
Amy’s lips twisted in thought. “Well, we can’t have that. Why don’t you tell me why you hate Preston so much.”
Rolling my eyes, I scoffed. “How much time do you have?”
A soft laugh escaped her lips. “For you, dear sister, all the time in the world.”
“I’m sure my brother would beg to differ.”
“It’s a good thing I have him wrapped around my little finger.” Amy smirked, holding up her pinky.
“Never thought I’d see the day.”
Liam was a control freak and as serious as they came. All that changed when he married Amy. She found a way to soften him, and their power dynamic was one of equality, even if Amy joked that she was in control. Liam was the brother I could always count on to protect me growing up, but I loved the man he became with the woman he loved by his side. He’d always been a good man, but now he was a great one.
Amy brought me back to my new reality. “You’re deflecting, Lucy. What’s the deal with Preston? Liam seems to like him, and you know he doesn’t like many people.”
“It’s Liam’s fault I even know Preston. They were best friends growing up, so he was always over here playing with Liam. I was just the pesky little sister, and he made my life a living hell—teasing me, calling me a baby, pulling on my pigtails. Don’t even get me started on the way he calls mePrincess.Talk about annoying.”
“Lucy, you are a princess.” Amy was simply stating the obvious.
I groaned. “It’s the way he says it. Like he’s mocking me.”
“The childhood teasing seems pretty standard, however. That’s what boys do when they like a girl. Did you ever think that maybe he had a crush on you?”
My head shook violently. “No way. He thinks I’m some spoiled, self-absorbed girl who throws tantrums to get what she wants.”
“Then he doesn’t know you. Maybe you should show him who you really are. Lucy, you’re this incredibly kind, caring, smart, thoughtful, passionate woman. And that’s not even touching on your creative genius. If he knew the real you, maybe things would be different.”
She had a point, but I was stubborn—a trait I shared with her husband. “He made up his mind about me a long time ago. Why is it my responsibility to change his perception?”
“I’m just trying to help.”
