I follow her, crossing the kitchen and offering my arms equally stretched out to help.
Valor looks at me, almost confused.
Before he can get sassy, I cut him off, hand going up to my chest for a moment. “What? In the last year, I’ve cooked all but five of the family meals. The least I can do is set the table.”
Valor hands me a stack of silverware, and I shrug. “Thank you.”
I follow Kerrianne into the dining room and circle the table with her.
“I like you. You’re funny, and you make Dad stop talking sometimes.” Kerrianne smiles up at me. “Are we going to be friends?”
“Well, we’re already family. I don’t see why we can’t be friends too.” I offer my hand out to her, and she leads me back toward the kitchen.
That is, unless you’re lying about the eating people thing.
9
LETICIA
THE PRINCESS RETURNS TO THE CASTLE
I didn’t wantto put my coat on to leave, but stepping out into the cold night air, I couldn’t wait to get into the warm SUV. Dad’s driver arrived the standard twenty minutes early, but Antonella and I have been doing the Midwestern goodbye for thirty minutes.
With the promise of getting to see her again, it’s the only reason I agree to leave.
I look at my phone. After a full three hours of not looking at it, you’d assume I’d have a bunch of notifications or at least some concern or worry about how dinner is going.
Nope.
I have three notifications.
Mom, reminding me that I need to make fresh pasta for her ‘get-together.’
Berto, asking if I needed backup, but he never followed up when I didn’t answer.
The third though . . .
Royal:
Did you have fun at the boring Cavanaghs’ house?
It’s notthe funniest sentence in the world, and yet I’m already smiling.
Leticia:
Thank you, I had a lovely time. I’m sorry I didn’t message you back. I was caught up in something.
Royal:
Well, you could make it up to me by texting with me now?
That feels almostscandalous when he puts it like that. My eyes flick to the driver up front. He’s listening to the sports channel on the radio and thankfully doesn’t notice my cheeks flushing.
Leticia:
And what on earth would we text about?
Royal:
