Page 68 of Royally Redeemed
“I am sure Ella would be most happy to have you back on our little island. She has been quite excited about it.”
Eloise glared. I’d been overly familiar. I would hear about that. I struggled to control myself. I wanted us to be friends—real and proper friends. And couldn’t we be? Mum and Lucy were joined at the hip. Although, they wereplatonicfriends. There was nothing about Ella that felt platonic.
I shifted on my feet nervous, “Well, if you all need anything at all, please do not hesitate?—”
“Duncan?” Eloise said, voice rather terse.
Despite the shock of her invoking my first name in front of her friend, I turned my eyes back to hers. “Yes?”
She stood there, hands on hips. “Can you get us a reservation at Barnaby?”
“Us?” I asked.
Her gaze was unfazed, serious, and unwavering. “Monique and I?”
“Oh.” I felt stupid. “I cannot promise, but can you not call on my behalf and do it?”
“I’m not technically here yet.”
“Fine. I will mention it to John. For this evening?”
Eloise nodded.
“Ella, that’s a lot to ask,” Monique said.
“He’ll manage,” Eloise said. “Thank you, Your Royal Highness.”
“Yes, ma’am, of course,” I turned to leave.
Oh, she was sending me on a wild goose chase and loving every bit of it.
42
SNAPPING FINGERS
ELOISE
“Interview part two,” Monique said. “Fucking A. I don’t want to leave you after this lovely dinner. Please tell your boss thank you.”
I dropped Monique at her hotel.
“Take care of yourself. And I will see you for dinner tomorrow night. I promise you it will be just as wonderful.”
“Pack your shopping patience. We’re going to do some damage before we tuck in,” Monique said.
I wouldn’t say no. “I need new work clothes. I’ll take you up on it.”
“Good. And we’ll get you something fun. That man in your life… whatever we call him… he might want some visual stimulation, yes?”
“You know the way to my heart,” I admitted. “But for me. Not for him.”
“Uh-huh. We’re going to talk about this later.”
“We are definitelynotgoing to. Go to bed, sweetie. Rest. You’re going to negotiate an amazing salary tomorrow and we can start shopping for a flat.”
Monique gave me a big hug and kiss. “Okay. Get home safe, alright? You are welcome to stay?—”
“Nah,” I said. “It’s all good.”
