Page 106 of Royally Redeemed
“Sure, buddy. Anything else if I am playing the office runner?”
“Get me a margarita,” Leah said. “I need a drink. You aren’t drinking, Eloise?”
“Nah. Still recovering. It’d put me to bed,” I responded.
“Which you will do later,” Duncan said. “Don’t argue with me. I’m going to ask Victoria what she wants, too, before we all hear about it.”
He left to order room service, and I tried to relax around important strangers. Then, another appeared.
A little girl who I assumed was Leah’s oldest daughter, slumped on the couch by me.
“I demanded chips, too,” she said. “If Bobby is getting them.”
“There will be enough. Calm down,” Lourdes said. “Good God. You’re all entitled.”
The way Lourdes looked at Leah told me she was blaming her wife for the children’s behavior. So, it was true. Happy queer couples argued like old married people the same as straight ones.
“Who are you?” The girl asked.
“Victoria, don’t be rude,” Leah admonished the child. “Eloise, this is Victoria, my daughter. Victoria, this is Cousin Duncan’s girlfriend, Eloise.”
“Oh. You’re pretty,” she remarked. “I didn’t know he had a girlfriend.”
“He does now,” Leah said.
This is so fucking awkward!
“Thanks,” I said. “How old are you, Victoria?”
“Seven,” she answered. “Bobby is my twin—theyoungertwin.”
“By like three minutes!” Bobby shouted.
She stuck her tongue out.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Leah sighed, obviously not worried about language, something I respected. “Apologies for them. They’re jet lagged and being obnoxious. Are you coming to the event tomorrow?”
“No,” I answered. “Well, okay, I am slated to attend and hang out in the background as his handler. I’m not supposed to be there as an attendee. But I get to wear a dress, which is kind of nice. Well, if I can manage it. It’s tentative.”
“I hope you’re up to it. It will be fun and the afterparty legendary. Everyone loves Merritt and he’s a hoot,” Leah said.
“He’s a legend. I’m going to be starstruck, I laughed. “I told Mo I’d met you and she nearly fainted.”
“Mo?” Leah asked.
“My best friend,” I answered. “Sorry.”
“Mo is more like Ella’s sister than her best mate, I gather. Like Mac’s mum and mine,” Duncan appeared.
“Bug, can you give them space?” Lourdes nodded at Victoria.
“Monique is the closest thing I have to a sister, yeah,” I agreed.
“You’re both only children. Oh, how funny!” Leah laughed. “Look at you two.”
“Why should I give up my spot?” Victoria demanded.
“Victoria!” Leah gave her daughterthe look.
