I refused the many requests to wear a tiara.
I am wearing my mother’s necklace—the oval sapphire she wore for formal occasions. It’s not as big as the one in the Titanic movie, but it’s a good size. And it’s real.
It’s like a piece of her is with me.
“You ready?” Grayson stands with me at the front of the hotel. With my heels, he’s only a few inches taller than I am, resplendent in a dark purple suit.
“I’m not ready for you to one-up me, so maybe you should be out of camera for this part,” I joke, giving his shoulder a push. “You look too good.”
“You look amazing,” he counters. “No one is going to one-up you.”
“Does that mean the guys aren’t pretty?”
“They are very pretty,” he assures me. “First car is coming. Here we go.”
The house the men are staying at is a former hotel high up overlooking the ocean. It’s a beautiful spot, but the length of the drive gives my nerves too much time to ratchet up.
“Are you nervous?” Grayson asks just as the first car moves into position. I know this question is for the camera, so I turn and give him my best smile.
“Of course. My Prince Charming might be in that car, so of course I’m scared out of my mind.” And then I give a laugh that sounds perfectly natural.
“When I first met Bexley, she completely blanked on my name, so don’t give first impressions all that much thought. Those guys are even more scared than you are,” Grayson counsels.
“What did she think your name was?” I wonder as the driver gets out to open the back door.
“I don’t know,” Grayson admits.
“You should ask her.” And then I take a deep breath because the first man appears.
He’s—he’s really pretty, with dark curly hair and even darker eyes.
And the way he smiles when he catches sight of me standing there? It’sreallynice.
This is the first one, so should I admit my stomach actually flutters when he smiles at me?
“Princess Lyra,” he announces when he’s before me. His voice has a tinge of India mixed with British, and his teeth are very white against his skin.
He’s… very pretty.
“Just Lyra,” I correct. At least he didn’t blank on my name.
“I am Asani. And I’m enchanted to meet you.” He takes my hand and kisses it, his lips warm and dry.
I’ve had my hand kissed by countless men, and things never fluttered like this.
A good sign.
“Hi,” I say, my smile turning foolish as I stare into those dark eyes. “And thanks. It’s nice to meet you, too.”
We spend a moment making small talk, but later, I won’t remember what was said. There’s a lot of smiling from both of us, and I’m content to stand here for another moment until Grayson clears his throat off to the side.
“Thanks for being here,” I manage, trying for a polite and reluctant dismissal.
“It will be my pleasure. I look forward to getting to know you better. Can I—?” He opens his arms.
Hug. He’s asking to hug me. “Of course.” I step into his arms, and wow, does he smell delicious. I could stay here inhaling his jacket for the rest of the night.
But I let him go and prepare for the next one.
