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“I think I’ll give Becca a call,” Lily said, smiling at them both to punctuate the statement. Mr. Elir looked to Aaliyah as if wanting his daughter to contradict her, but Lily rose and left the suite, needing to breathe different air than they were for a moment.
Too soon, Aaliyah followed her out into the hall. “I’m sorry,” she said to Lily’s back. “I know you were in a bad relationship before and that you weren’t ready to date again anytime soon. I just thought you’d be a perfect fit for this situation. And Papa is right, you deserve so much.”
Lily thinned her lips and smiled at Aaliyah. The two of them had always gotten along well over the years Lily had worked for the Elirs, but it was only months ago that their relationship had turned into something like a friendship. Aaliyah had confided in Lily while Mr. Elir had been in the hospital. Lily had confided in her as well, though she hadn’t specified about Damon or why she didn’t want to ever date again.
“I know you mean well,” Lily said, pressing Aaliyah’s arm in a soothing gesture. “But it’s okay. I’ve accepted that there isn’t anyone out there for me.”
“Have you ever considered Prince Henrik might be?”
Lily shook her head before Aaliyah could finish. “He’s a prince.”
“So?”
Lily couldn’t think of how to voice her reluctance. “So he’s spoiled and a playboy and—” Charming and considerate and easy to talk to.
Aaliyah’s eyes took on a knowing gleam. “You like him, don’t you?”
“What? No. I mean, he’s nice, and I like him as a person, but…” The more she argued, the hotter her face grew.
“I won’t tell anyone, but I hope you know you can talk to me if you need to.”
“Thanks, Aaliyah.” Lily’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t know how I’m feeling. Henrik is completely beautiful, and conversation comes so easily between us I almost forget that he’s royal. And I could listen to the soothing hum of his voice with that accent all day long.”
Aaliyah laughed. “But?”
Lily exhaled and stared off. “But burns take a long time to heal.”
Aaliyah gripped her shoulder and didn’t speak until Lily met her gaze. “Make sure you don’t let them take too long,” she said before returning to her father’s suite.
* * *
Lily internalizedAaliyah’s parting words all the way to the basement floor where several offices were located. She found Becca scowling at her computer as if daring the numbers on it to attack her. Lily couldn’t say she would love being an accountant for something that brought in as much revenue as the Elir Clearwater Resort.
Soon, Becca’s frown flipped when Lily suggested she let her set Becca up with a prince that night at The Sierra Gardens, Lily’s favorite restaurant in Clearwater. Lily suspected dislike of her job kept the woman perpetually surly. Maybe Aaliyah had been right, and dating a prince would be just what Becca from Accounting needed.
Lily then messaged Henrik, not wanting to see him again if she didn’t have to. He’d requested she bring him all his meals, but that was nonsense. She didn’t have time for that, not when the room service staff was more than capable.
The truth was, though, Lily’s heart agreed far too much with Mr. Elir’s and Aaliyah’s insistence that she would be a great fit for the Prince. Lily had loved talking to him the night before. She loved the excuse to look at him as he spoke and to note the quirk in the middle of his lips or the way his eyes captured light when he got excited about something. His body was nothing to balk at either, with broad shoulders and lean, strong legs in his board shorts.
She needed to keep her feet on the ground and her head as far from the clouds as she could.
Your date for tonight is all set,she texted him.
Wonderful. Her name? Also, my lunch tray was delivered by someone who wasn’t you.
I was busy,Lily replied. This was one thing she could insist on, and something told her she needed to keep as many cards in her hand as she could to keep the Prince from taking too much.Her name is Becca Townley-Stewart. She will meet you at The Sierra Gardens downtown at six.
And you’ll join us?he asked.
I think not.
At least stop by beforehand. I have your contract.
Blast. She’d forgotten all about that in her determination to keep away from him. Lily had intended on going home to spend some serious snuggle time with Frou Frou and Artemis, and Dr. Grumbles would never let her hear the end of how workaholic she’d been the past several days, but she had to sign that contract.
Tasks finished, Lily hurried to the ninth floor though she wanted nothing more than to go home. Perhaps once she saw the Prince off, she could do just that.
Henrik was brutal in a button-up shirt, tie, and slacks. He cleaned up like red velvet cake and made her mouth water just as much. Lily caught herself staring several times and had to shake herself when he turned his back to her. The TV blared from within the suite, though she hadn’t made it any farther than the doorway.
