“You’re pretty set on this girl, then?”
Not sure why I want to tell him. Maybe because I am head over heels for her and don’t give a fuck who knows, or I’m a fool. Either way, I tell him the truth.
“She’s my soulmate. There will never be anyone but her until the day I die.”
His brows lift in surprise. “Okay. How about this? Instead of buying something, how about a promise?” That took me completely by surprise.
“A promise?”
“Not just any promise—a blood promise. You plan to mate her anyway, so make her a blood promise.” A quick glance down at the linear scar on my palm reminds me of the blood promise Toby and I made before the yacht exploded. He shared that memory with her. She would understand the significance behind that gift. I love the idea, but of course I’m a little mad that I hadn’t thought of it in the first place.
“Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”
The tension drains from his face. He finishes his coffee and motions to me to follow him. After I pay our bill, we head to another part of the mall. He takes me to a store that carries knives and daggers. He chooses a dagger used in ceremonies.
The woman behind the counter offers to engrave it. I look at my watch. I’m already pushing it on time.
“I can pick it up later or have it delivered somewhere,” Reggie offers.
Without hesitation, I write the initials and hand the slip of paper to the sales clerk. I really will need him to sign an NDA. He still has no idea I was referring to the Princess. But he might figure it out.
“Where did you get that watch?” he asks as we make our way to another level of the mall.
“It was a gift.”
“Same girl?”
I nod.
“You should order her a matching one and give it to her when you propose or on another anniversary or something.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
I like him. He doesn’t talk too much. Questions are direct and have a purpose. I ask him about his scholarship. He applied for pre-law mostly to impress the girl. But it’s not easy to get into NYU, with a scholarship no less. I want to ask him about his magic, but I can’t do that in a public place.
I suppose it couldn’t hurt to have a personal assistant. It would make my dad happy. Troy’s assistant, John, would be excited to have someone else to commiserate with. I send a quick text to my dad, letting him know that my interview with my personal assistant is taking a bit longer than planned. He responds and tells me to take my time.
On a split decision, I take Reggie to a men’s clothing store. Reggie snaps his fingers. “Good thinking. You want to look good when you pick her up tonight.”
Ted, the store owner, greets us as we walk in. “Young Alpha Larson, it’s been a long time. How have you been, sir?”
I cringe at the title. Troy is the Young Alpha, but I don’t want to correct him in public. “Nice to see you, Ted. I’m doing well. This is my assistant, Reggie.”
Ted appraises the kid and wrinkles his nose.
Fuck you, Ted. If my father hadn’t given his mother a loan to get her tailor shop out of debt, he wouldn’t have this store. He definitely wouldn’t be rubbing elbows with rich assholes all day long. I stare at Ted as if I can bore holes in his head with just my eyes.
He gives me an apologetic look.
“Ted, Reggie needs some suits, business casual attire, shoes, and whatever else you think he may need that’s appropriate for the office. He’s only staying for the summer, and then he’s off tocollege at NYU. So don’t overdo it. When he returns home from school, he can pick up whatever else he needs at that time.”
Reggie frowns. “Wait, sir. I didn’t sign any paperwork, and well, honestly, I didn’t agree to terms and pay.”
Smart kid. I think this will work out. “If you don’t want the job for the summer, then let’s go.”
“Well, no. I didn’t say that. I just want to make sure I’m not sidelined into something I don’t agree with or want to do.”
“Fair. I tell you what. Go with Ted since we are here. When we’re done, we’ll head to the firm and review your job description, pay, and NDA. If you decide that you don’t want to take the job, you can leave and take your new wardrobe with you to NYU.”
