Page 62 of His Royal Request

“Can I put it on?” I asked.

She beamed and handed me the lush pile.

I moved to the bathroom and removed my robe before stepping into the dress. I slid my arms through the sleeves and pulled it up. The wrap at the front created a deep V-neck but it wasn’t revealing. It fit perfectly and when I looked at my reflection I grinned. I looked like I belonged. Like I should be standing next to Aiden. I felt a bit like a princess.

“Wow.” Isla stood behind me looking proud. “I’ll have to get one of these for myself.”

I nodded. “It’s beautiful.”

“I thought the color would look good on you, and once again I was correct.”

I turned to face her. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Isla. I don’t know if I could’ve survived this long without you.”

She winked. “Sure, you would. You need to have more faith in yourself.”

I smiled, but I wanted to tell her she needed some too. She minimized her impact on people. If it was humility or ignorance, I wasn’t sure, but she was wonderful and I wanted her to know.

“Really, thank you. I was a stranger and you took me under your wing.”

“Aiden asked me and I couldn’t tell him no. Not when I heard in his voice how much you meant to him, and that was back when you were still in Ireland. You’ve changed him, Charlie.”

“He’s changed me too.”

He opened my eyes to all that was possible. He broadened my world. He saw me, even when I was hiding. I thought my life was meant to be simple. This trip was supposed to be the highlight, and it turned out to be, but for such different reasons.

I dreaded the thought of returning home. I didn’t want this moment to end. I couldn’t bear the thought of saying goodbye to Aiden.

We were on borrowed time. We might have a few more days together, but then what? He had a company to run and I had...what? A lonely trip before going back to live with my parents and job hunt?

I’d always been fine with what I had. I didn’t dream of fame or wealth. I just wanted a happy life like my parents. Could I go back to Indiana and accept that? After all of this? How could I ever date another man while comparing him to Aiden?

He ruined me, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

Even if this all ended and I never saw him again, I’d do it all over in a heartbeat. The saying is right, it’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.

“You look sad,” Isla said. “What’s wrong?”

I blinked and mentally shook off the inevitable. “Sorry, just got lost.”

She stared me down. “Don’t write things off. Don’t write him off. This is as real and unexpected for him as it is for you. You just need to figure it out together.”

I nodded and stood up straight. “Should we get this over with?”

Her smile dimmed. “I’m sorry you won’t be sitting near us. The seating arrangement was set ages ago. Nicole begged to have you closer, but the wedding planner could only squeeze you in at the opposite end.”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

She looped her arm through mine and we left my room. Both our guards were waiting for us with blank expressions.

I looked up at mine and waited for him to meet my eyes. “Ma’am?”

“What’s your name?”

He blinked. Then again. “Harrison, Ma’am.”

“Thank you for watching out for me, Harrison.”

He gave the slightest nod then went back to ignoring me. Isla giggled. “This is Logan.”