As my fingers intertwine with hers and the world explodes with new vibrant colors around me, her sister clears her throat. Lucy rips her hand from mine and folds hers together on top of her crossed legs.
Maybe there is a no-hand holding rule I’m unaware of?
Either way, my skin immediately misses the soft feel of hers.
And I kind of want to elbow her sister who seems to keep interrupting every potential good moment I have with Lucy.
After the end of the service, one where I honestly gave it my all to focus on Pastor Rawls but ended up too consumed by the static electricity between me and Lucy, I ask, “Let me take you out to lunch.” I’m leaning against my car, trying to conjure all the charm that has worked countless times before in order to persuade Lucy to hop in my vehicle and go to lunch with me. She’s been insistent that she can’t, though her sister keeps saying otherwise. The warm, sticky air sits heavy around us as clouds begin to block out the sun.
“I have lunch scheduled with my sister and Grandma Netty. I can’t cancel at the last minute.”
“Sure ya can,Lucy,” Mrs. Netty appears behind me. I gesture in the elderly woman’s direction.
“See. You have permission.”
“Yeah,Lucy.We will be fine to have lunch on our own. Go!” Lorelei bumps her hip against her sister, and I’m reminded of Lucy’s behavior from the wedding. That is how she acted—girly, extroverted, and flirty. What happened between then and now that Lorelei seems to have adopted Lucy’s behavior while Lucy has… matured?
No, that’s not the right word for it. It’s not that Lucy’s behavior at the wedding was immature; it was flowery. Energetic and flirty. Whereas now she’s demure, though when you nudge her to talk about her passions—plants, law, history, cats, random facts—she’s as lively and animated as can be.
Whatever happened, I like it. I like this refined, intelligent side of her. Though I do miss the flirty banter. Regardless, she will fit in perfectly with my family. I don’tneedmy family to approve, but it would make things much easier if they did. Especially Mamma.
Remember you have less than three months left, Finley.
Right.
“The people have spoken. You’re mine for the afternoon.” I grin devilishly, rubbing my hands together. Her cheeks and nose pinken.
“Fine,” she bites, and the victory I was lavishing in vanishes.
“Unless you truly don’t want to.” My pride hurts even saying those words, but I don’t want to force her.
Lorelei grabs her arm and yanks her close, whispering something in her ear. Beside me, Mrs. Netty snorts. Thunder echoes from a distance. Whereas I wanted to scold Lorelei for interrupting my attempts at physical contact earlier, now I want to kiss her cheek in gratitude for prompting Lucy to go on this impromptu date with me.
“I truly want to go,” Lucy says after a moment. “Take me away,Your Highness.” And thenshesmirks, sweeping into a curtsey.
My heart hammers against my chest. “I, uh… You don't have to call me that.” I can’t tell her because I’m not a prince. That’s an outright lie. I promised I wouldn’t outright lie about who I am, but I did lie by omission because I have to protect myself and the crown.
A smug, angry look flicks across her face. “Don’t I?”
“Lucy!” her sister snaps. Mrs. Netty snorts again, followed by a boisterous laugh.
Lucy ignores them both and walks around to the passenger side. Breaking free of my stupor, I rush around to open her door. She stands with her arms crossed, waiting. At least she let me exercise chivalry this time.
“Much obliged,Your Highness,” she snarks, dipping into another curtsey before getting into the car and yanking the door closed, my body becoming one with the car door.
But don’t mind my chest flat against the window. Something else is much more concerning. I glance over the top of my car at her sister.
One glance at Lorelei’s horrified expression tells me everything I need to know. “She knows.”
Lorelei nods her head, her bangs blowing gently in the light breeze revealing sympathy in her one good eye.
A Korsan curse slips through my lips.
Chapter Five
Lorelei
I’m done with the lies.
