Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
“When managing research collections and teaching information literacy, you’re the person who knows where to find information people are searching for. They tell you what they are looking for, and you tell them where they can find it or retrieve it for them.”
“That’s impressive.”
“Oh.” I glance down suddenly, feeling shy. “It’s just a lot of reading.”
“It’s more than that. You’d have to do a lot of stuff off the top of your head.” This is true. “That’s a lot to remember.”
“I suppose, but when it interests you, it doesn’t feel that way. I can often get excited when I’m helping someone. My best friend Truly tells me that’s when I’m the most animated.”
“I can see that.” He smiles over at me, and I feel it down to my toes.
The crab cakes arrive, golden and crispy. Caldwell cuts a piece with his fork before bringing it to my mouth. “Try it.”
I open for him and then let out a small moan. When I do, I become highly aware of him watching me, his eyes lingering on my lips.
“My brother’s wedding,” he says casually, wiping his thumb across my lower lip where a crumb must have landed. His touch lingers. “He’s the dramatic one.”
“I can’t wait to hear more about him,” I say, meaning it. I want to know everything I can about Caldwell. We fall into easy conversation as we eat.
By the time we finish dinner, I’m on cloud nine. Caldwell hasn’t stopped touching me. My hand. My knee under the table. Brushing hair from my face when the breeze catches it. It’s been all so perfect. Unlike the other failed dates I’d gone on.
“Ready for that walk?” he asks.
I nod, already knowing I’ll follow him anywhere tonight.
Chapter Six
CALDWELL
The moon hangs low over the water, giving off enough light to see every expression that crosses Mable’s face. She walks beside me, her hand tucked in mine, and I can’t remember the last time I felt this... content.
No. That’s a lie. I can remember. Never.
It’s easy with no expectations. I can drop my guard and simply be myself.
“Are your toes getting cold?” I ask, nodding at the water hitting her ankles. She kicked off her sandals the moment we hit the sand. I don’t know where the thought had come from. When she’d taken them off, instant worry had set in that she could step on something in the sand she couldn’t see. Now the temperature is dropping, and I’m worried about her tiny, delicate toes.
This, however, is a different kind of worry. Not the same one I have when I’m making decisions for the people of my country.
“I don’t care.” She looks up at me, hair blowing across her face, and I reach out to tuck it behind her ear. My fingers linger on her cheek, and I watch her in the moonlight.
What has she done to me? One look was all it took, and I was instantly a goner. Then the second I saw those other men staring and making calls for her attention, in that brief moment, a strange fear filled me that I was about to lose her, which made no sense. I didn’t know her, but I knew I wouldn’t give them a chance to lure her from me. That I wanted her and would do whatever it took to have her.
She’s going to destroy me. She already has. I know it. This girl with her practical sweaters and her library dreams and her complete obliviousness to who I am.
“Tell me about the wedding,” she says, pulling me from my thoughts. “Your brother’s.”
I should tell her now. I should say, “My brother is Crown Prince Julian, and I’m Prince Caldwell, soon to be king, and this wedding will be covered by every tabloid in Europe if they get word of it, and if you walk in there on my arm, your picture will be splashed across every newspaper by morning.”
But I don’t say that. Not yet. Instead, I say, “He’s marrying a woman he met three months ago.” I’ve told her that much already, so I keep going.
“He’s the impulsive one in the family.” I smile, but it feels tight. Not because of my brother. That’s who he is, and I wouldn’t change it, but all of this is wrapped up in a lie. “He’s convinced she’s the one. Convinced enough to plan a wedding in weeks rather than years.”
“That sounds...” She pauses, searching for the word. “Romantic? Terrifying? Exciting, insane?”
“All of the above,” I agree, in my brother’s case. For me it wouldn’t be terrifying to marry Mable. No, terrifying would be her running away from me. “The ceremony at the resort is black tie. I’ll need to wear a tuxedo.” I shake my head, trying to seem not too excited about it, but I am, for my brother at least. What I’m still grappling with is asking Mable to come with me. Right now, we’re in our own little bubble, and I’m not ready for it to burst. To share her with the world. I worry about what exposing her to my life will do to her. What it might bring down onto her. The fallout.