Page 16 of Heavy Crown

“Yes or no? I have arrangements I need to make if you’re taking the job and the apartment.” My tone is annoyed, but it’s not annoyance at her which drives my change in mood. She’s not an option for me, and I’m putting her right in my line of sight. Ten years younger, not a native Bellerivian, and a prominent ex-boyfriend on the island all spell trouble. She can’t be a fling, but she can’t possibly be more either.

“Do you really think this is a good idea?” she asks.

I avoid her gaze. “It’s better than you living on the street or staying with someone who disrespected you so completely.” I run a hand through my hair and lean back in the chair, crossing my arms over my chest.

“I don’t understand why you’re being so nice to me,” she whispers.

Me either. “Sounds like a yes to me.” I stand and shove my hands in the pockets of my jeans in an effort to conceal how much she affected me only moments ago.

“I’m paying you, right? You pay me to work. I pay you to rent the apartment. This isn’t some weird mistress scheme, and I’ve missed all the cues because I’m not from around here?”

I scratch my stubbled cheek and chuckle. “When I want something or someone, I’m up-front about it. No need for games.” Our gazes connect, and I let the words sit between us for a beat. Can I resist her? I’m not sure I’ve got the will to try, but my desire for her isn’t tied to my offer. Or not directly tied, anyway. “We’ll pay you a fair wage in accordance with your experience, and no, there is no other expectation attached to my offer other than having you barefoot in the kitchen.” I smirk.

“Barefoot, huh?” She gives me an amused look. “Sounds like a health and safety infraction.”

“Must have heard you were doing that at McGuinty’s Golf Course.”

She rolls her eyes, and I stifle a laugh. When was the last time a woman amused me so much? A better question is when was the last time I was this relaxed around anyone? It’s as though we’ve known each other forever.

“You don’t even know if I’m a decent pastry chef.”

“I checked the Yelp reviews. Seemed favorable.” I shrug. “Am I doing you a favor? Yes. Does it have to be a big deal? No.” Though I am certain my family is not going to see this as a minor inconvenience and another person’s wage to pay. They’ll be very suspicious of my interest and motives, perhaps rightfully, but I’m not giving anyone an inch. Whatever does or doesn’t happen with Rory will be for me to worry about and no one else.

She gives a little shake of her head. “Okay.” A smile floats across her face without quite sticking. “Okay.”

“I need to go make some arrangements.” I tip my head toward the door. “There’s a phone there. If you need anything, dial 226, which will take you to the internal phone system operator. Ask to have me paged.”

“I can’t just bellow ‘Stella’ at the top of my lungs?” Her lips twist with an almost smile.

“You’d prefer Stella over me?” I press a hand over my heart and pretend injury.

“I’ll need someone to dismantle this tray so I can go to the bathroom.”

“Ah, right.” I raise my eyebrows. “Stella!”

Rory laughs. “After what should have been a terrible night, I’m actually having a pretty great day so far. Thank you, Alex. I mean that.”

Another surge of warmth runs through me at her words and the tenderness in her green eyes. “Don’t thank me yet.” I pause at the doorway. “You haven’t seen your apartment or been down to the kitchen.”

I head out of her room and down the hall. Now comes the tricky part—ensuring no one in my family ruins whatever is budding between me and Rory before it has a chance to bloom.

eight

Rory

Despite the fun, flirty banter Alex and I engaged in, my body is stiff and sore. After he leaves and Stella takes my tray and the extra food, I waddle to the oversized en suite bathroom. There, I examine my bruised body in the mirror. I could be some sort of alien species with all the blue and purple skin under my double layer of hospital gown. Seeing myself in the mirror also reminds me I don’t have any other clothes.

A shower, a change of clothes, and my phone. If it were possible to have three things, those would be at the top of my wish list.

My movements back to the bed are slow and labored. I’m supposed to be working a shift today at the golf course, but I have no way to contact them. I can’t remember their phone number, and I don’t have access to the internet or a phone book to look it up. Maybe they’ve heard about my accident? If Prince Alexander was involved in my rescue, what are the chances no one knows?

There’s a knock on my door. “Come in,” I call. Since Stella closed my door for privacy, I have no idea who is on the other side of the heavy wood. My stomach flips that it might be Alex.

The door swings open, and Prince Brice is standing there holding a shopping bag. Actually, I think it’s several shopping bags.

“Hi,” he says with a grin. “Aurora, right?”

“Oh, uh. Rory is fine.” I return his smile, and nerves snake through my system. Like Alex, he’s attractive, but he doesn’t make my stomach go into knots, and I don’t have the strange sensation that I’ve known him all my life. I can’t decide if my reaction is a relief or even more worrying. If I reacted to the whole royal family the same way, I could dismiss whatever vibe is between me and Alex, but since I don’t…