Page 28 of Royal Cocktail

Skye paused, then shrugged. “I didn’t tell him that I’m not.”

“Good. He thinks we’re together. That’s a good plan. That’s solid. It’ll make everything go more smoothly while you two are working together.”

Skye nodded, though with less enthusiasm than she probably should have. Somehow the idea that Leo believed she was unavailable just depressed her.

“You’re meeting him again tomorrow night, right?”

“Bart?”

“What?”

“I don’t want to be engaged.”

“Hannah,” Bart called toward the kitchen. “You want to help me out?”

“Like hell,” Hannah called back. “You giving relationship advice? I’m all ears.”

Bart scowled, then sighed. Then he scooted to the side of the couch, angling his body as he looked at Skye and patted the seat next to him. “We need to have a conversation.”

With a sigh, she went and sat, curling her feet up beneath her.

“What happened to being wildly pissed off?”

“I was. Maybe I still am. I don’t know.” She’d been fiddling with her hands, but now she looked up at him. “He was so … earnest. So sorry.”

“Earnest? Can royalty be earnest?”

She ignored him. “I think he genuinely felt horrible … about what happened. I want ... I really like him. Maybe I even love him. Or loved him before.”

“Skye…”

“I don’t like being angry at him. It feels … wrong.”

“Okay. I get that. You’re not someone who holds a grudge.” Bart reached out and took her hand. “But that doesn’t mean you should go all in with this guy. Come on, Skye. He’s a prince. Remember? It’s not like this is going to go anywhere.”

“That’s not … a good reason for me to stay mad. I mean … why shouldn’t I forgive him? Like you said, this can’t go anywhere. He’s a prince. And I’m … just me. But we have a … connection. And I don’t want to destroy that by holding onto being angry.”

“Damn right, he’s a prince. Which means he’s supposed to be held to a higher standard of how to treat people. You’re totally justified in being angry.”

“Oh please,” Hannah said, walking back in from the kitchen holding three open bottles of beer. She handed them out as she asked, “What tabloids have you been reading? Higher standard? The rich and royals are users.”

“No,” Skye protested. “He’s...”

“But,” Hannah said firmly, “Leo sounds like a good one. I mean if nothing else, he’s trying to stay on the down low. He’s not out there being a social media whore, right?”

Bart stared at Hannah, then turned to Skye. “What’s going on here? Yesterday you were furious with him.”

“I know. I was. Maybe I still am.” She stood and started pacing again, her emotions all in a muddle. “I had a good time tonight. And he—”

“He hurt you. Like deeply.”

“He apologized.” She looked between her friends. “And it was a real apology. Shouldn’t that count for something?”

“Of course,” Hannah said.

“Why are you not helping me on this?” Bart demanded.

Hannah shrugged, and Bart leaned his head back and groaned.