It’s not just her personality, but it’s her artistic talent.
After Duncan dropped me off earlier in the square in downtown Battle Harbour, I took a moment to do a quick lap around the streets, like I was decidingwhere to go.
I knew exactly where I was going. I heard Sophie ask her sister to bring her paints three times, and that’s not counting the texts she sent.
I could tell she wanted to paint. I’m not sure how, but I did. I expect she was like me when I couldn’t find a car to drive—she got twitchy.
So I bought her new paints. Along with anything else she might need.
The woman in the arts and crafts store was very helpful, even though her eyes almost bugged out at how much I spent when she rang it up.
It’s the one good thing about being a billionaire. Or, having a father who is one.
I should listen to Sophie’s father.
Duncan warned me to stay away so I don’t cause Sophie any more pain. And that’s exactly what’s going to happen if I keep on trying to make her fall for me.
Do I have to? Sophie doesn’t blame me at all. And even if she does, I have the offer of a job from the king himself.
Obviously he doesn’t think I’m a bad person.
And I am, if I end up hurting Sophie, because she is the last person who deserves it.
But the more that I watch Sophie with her friends, I think that maybe I’ve got it wrong. That maybe I’m setting myself up as the one who gets hurt.
I set out trying to make Sophie fall for me, but now there’s a chance that I’m the one in danger of losing my heart.
17
Sophie
Theystayuntilafterten o’clock. I would be fine with them here longer, but once Kate catches me mid-yawn, once, Spencer frowns and says I look tired, Ashton takes that as a sign to tell them to go.
Kate and Gunnar tidy the pizza boxes, and Spencer collects the wine bottles, while Lyra straddles the arm of the couch and regales us with her last conversation with Prince Kalle and how nervous he seems about the upcoming wedding.
“It’s not until the spring, so your foot will be better by then,” Lyra assures me.
“I’m not going to miss a royal wedding, especially if I get an invite,” I promise her.
“Of course you’ll get an invite,” Spencer says. “Why wouldn’t you?”
“Do you think you’ll be okay for the Sea Queen dance?” Fenella asks. “That sounds like fun. I’ve already asked my date.” She twines her arm through Silas’s, who looks bemused.
Sometimes I think Silas looks overwhelmed just by being around Fenella, like he can’t believe that she picked him. Other times, he looks at her with such love in his eyes that it makes my heart ache.
I want someone to look at me like that.
I want the easiness of Lyra and Spencer, in how he holds her bag, waiting patiently until she finishes talking. I want the playfulness of Gunnar trying to jolly Stella into smiling, and how she laughs when they’re together.
I want someone to love me.
Not that there’s anything wrong with being alone. Kate is single and happy… and so busy with her work at the castle that she wouldn’t have time to give to someone else. But I am not busy, and I want someone looking at me like I’m the most important person in the world to them.
I’ve never had that before. And I want it.
Fenella is waiting for my reply, so I have to blink away the sudden heat in my eyes. “I should be,” I tell her. “I’m not sure about dancing, but I can start with the exercises next week, and the doctor says that will help. I might still have the crutches though.”
All eyes go to the crutches resting on the floor beside the chair, at my foot propped on the table.
