Huh?
As the princess placed her arm on his, Kat’s stomach churned like a tropical storm in the Pacific.
Gill had done and said the same thing with her when they’d been at the Christmas Market. He’d called her milady, but still…
That had made her feel special, but it appeared to be a line he used with many women. Her throat closed. She should have known. Who had she been kidding to think she could mean anything to him other than, well, friends?
Friends had been her idea.
Feeling upset was stupid.
Gill and Rowena walked out of the dining room. The sound of their footsteps faded as they disappeared from sight.
Thank goodness Sophie wasn’t here, because this was going to be a rotten day. Kat didn’t want to bring down her friend two days before the happiest day of her life.
Emotions ran the gamut. The reason why struck Kat like a fallen hay bale.
She had fallen for Gill.
Head over heels fallen for him.
Nerve endings tingled. Her heart ached. She picked up her orange juice and sipped, afraid the realization would show on her face.
Queen Louise sighed. “Don’t they make an attractive couple?”
Kat nearly spit out the liquid in her mouth. She swallowed. The orange juice went down wrong, and she coughed.
“I’m glad you agree,” Queen Louise said, even though the only thing Kat had done was nearly choke to death. “I shall leave you to finish.”
So much for keeping her company, but honestly, Kat didn’t mind. “Have a nice day, ma’am.”
“Now that I’ve seen Gill and Rowena together, I will.” The queen stood. “Mark my words. There will be another royal wedding in Alistonia next year. In the spring or summer when the flowers are in bloom will be the best time.”
Princess Rowena was the one his mother had picked out for Gill to marry. Kat could barely breathe.
As the queen walked away, Kat slumped in her chair. Her appetite was gone.
Maximillian barked from the entryway. He was still sitting in the same spot.
“You’re such a good boy.” She rose from the table. “Would you like to go for a walk when we take the film crew around?”
His tail wagged.
“I’ll take off your cone since I can make sure you don’t lick your paw. Sound good?”
The dog headed to the stairs. At least another member of the royal family besides Sophie wanted to spend time with Kat.
She should stick to loving animals. They didn’t require a person to be from a certain country or have the right background. They just loved—openly and unconditionally.
She’d had that from her grandparents but never her parents.
Was that too much to ask for from a man?
From…Gill?
Christmas is a time of magic and miracles.
Kat hoped Jojo was right about that.
