The words produced the desired effect as a blush filled her cheeks. “Okay, Romeo, you don’t have to keep upping the charm. I already like you.”
“The sentiment comes so easily because it’s true.” He placed a kiss on her cheek. “Luke drives us at noon.”
Her brow furrowed as she rested her palm against his chest. “I’m not really sure how to process this whole thing, Arran. I mean, you say you want to try to keep up with our relationship while we’re apart, but... your life drastically changes once you return to Skymar.”
Ah, he’d wondered if she’d second-guess his intentions. Of course, some of her fears about the royal life were justified. But he didn’t care to keep to the spotlight. If it meant her comfort, he’d gladly relegate himself to the background. His return to hard work and service over the past couple of months had remindedhim that one of the most princely qualities he could possess was humility.
After all, weren’t they celebrating the humility of a much more important Prince in the upcoming season?
A good reminder of what mattered most. Humility and love.
His gaze moved over her, those large, beautiful eyes staring up at him.
Love.
“My life changing doesn’t mean my desires will.” He cupped her cheek. “Charlotte, I have a very long-term view when it comes to us, and I’m willing to pursue it. My heart and intentions are fixed on you alone. But I don’t suspect it will be easy on either side, so you must make your choice.”
She hesitated before wrapping her arms around him and leaning her head against his shoulder, securing her decision. “I don’t really know what to expect. But I’m willing to try.”
“That’s all I’m asking, darling.” He pressed a kiss to her head, breathing in her scent of apples and relishing the overwhelming gratitude of holding her trust—and her heart. “That’s all.”
***
The Wish and her day job kept Charlie busy, and her newfound skills in style and confidence led to unexpected opportunities in navigating more of the business side of the carpentry industry, impressing both Luke and Dave. Who knew that having a bit of confidence in how you speak in front of businesspeople made such a difference in how they responded! Though knowing a lot of these guys most of her life probably helped.
Arran checked in daily, sending sweet or funny messages and memes. Their time zone differences and wildly different schedulesmade phone calls difficult, but they’d managed a few in the two weeks he’d been gone. Plus he’d sent her a bouquet of the most glorious flowers a few times “just because.” She still didn’t know how to embrace his sweet attention to her. It seemed too good to be true.
And she missed him.
More than she’d imagined.
Not some prince in a story, but him. The guy with the dashing grin and excellent couch-snuggling skills. The man who looked at her from across the room and somehow made her feel beautiful. The gentle prankster and heart-stopping flirt and devoted encourager and spellbinding kisser. Simply and wonderfully... him.
How had he become such a regular part of her life in such a short time? Not just a regular one but—she smiled as memories of him flashed through her mind—a welcome, sweet, and romantic one.
As she passed by the main department store in downtown Ransom, the red gown that Arran had pointed out to her still waited in the shop front window in all its glorious detail.
The simple blue dress she’d originally chosen for the Gala waited in her closet. Still she paused, studying the scarlet finery and resurrecting a smart part of the eight-year-old girl she used to be.
It couldn’t hurt to see how the dress fit, right?
A half hour later, she left the shop with the dress in her arms, grinning like an idiot.
She laughed.
Ridiculous.
Her phone buzzed, so she pulled it from her purse.
Arran:I hope your day is going well. I wanted to tell you I miss you, but also to warn you of an unplanned interview that may be featured online. It happened about half an hour ago. It is only a trifle, but I wanted you to learn about it from me instead of finding yourself surprised later.
Charlie:I guess since you’re telling me, it had something to do with me?
A few small tabloids had featured a photo or two of them together when Arran had been in North Carolina, but nothing too disturbing. Arran had tried to prepare her for it.
Arran:They asked about your mother. I deflected and tried to answer in a way that honors you.
Her mother?
