Status Updates From Happily Ever After: Compani...

“What did you think I wanted?” I asked. She lowered her eyes. “America, what did you think I wanted?” I demanded. Everything about her demeanor gave her away. I’d never been so insulted. “In public? You thought . . . for heaven’s sake. I’m a gentleman!”

“What was that for?” Was that my voice? Really? I sounded like a five-year-old girl with a smoking problem. “If you lay a single finger on me, I’ll do worse!” “What?” “I said, if you—” “No, no, you crazy girl. I heard you the first time. But just what in the world do you mean by it?”

“ARE YOU SURE?” I ASKED. “Absolutely,” the courier said. “Not a single tear?” He grinned. “Not a one.”

“A few gone already, Your Majesty?” Justin asked, pouring my coffee. “You know, I once read a book about people who practiced polygamy. One man with several wives. Crazy. I was just in a room with eight very unhappy women, and I have no idea why anyone would choose that.” My tone was light but the sentiment was real.

“Is it because I dyed my hair?” the girl next to her said

“Huh?” “It’s because I’m a Five, isn’t it?” Hannah asked. “You are?” Clarissa ran up to me and clutched my hand. “I can be better, I swear!” “What?”

“You are very kind, Your Majesty.” Yes. “And attractive.” Yes! “And thoughtful.” YES! I was grinning, looking like an idiot, I’m sure, so pleased she managed to see something positive in me after last night.

I wanted to make a good first impression with these girls—and a good second impression with one—and apparently I was convinced this all hung on picking out the right tie. I sighed. These girls were already turning me into a puddle of stupid.

I met both of their eyes, making sure they grasped the concept. “It would also behoove you to refrain from mentioning this to anyone. Understood?” They nodded, and I made my way to the main stairwell. As I walked I heard one guard whisper, “What’s behoove?” I rolled my eyes…

I slowly rose and went over to my desk. I could think of only one way to get this out of my system. Dear Adele, Can you keep a secret?

I FINISHED THE QUEEN NOVELLA
Clarkson was and is high key toxic
Amberly just had a crush and couldn’t see past it

His world looked like a storm. I was going to be its center.

“It’s more than that. You’d take a bullet for him if you had to.” I didn’t answer. “You would! Oh, my goodness!”

I shrugged the thought away. Besides, it wasn’t as if it would ever happen

OMG THE IRONY

You’re in love with him. You could find out tomorrow that he kicks puppies for fun, and you’d still be moony-eyed over him.”

He looked up. “I mean it. I hate them. When I’m king, I’m sending them away.” “Hopefully not to the same place,” I muttered. He took a breath. And then he laughed. It was a deep, genuine laugh, the kind you can’t stop even if you want to. So he could laugh. It was buried, that was all, hidden behind all the other things he had to feel and think and manage

I waited for him to fix his own plate. When he did, I found myself laughing again. “Did you get enough?” I teased. “I like strawberry tarts,” he defended. He probably had about five piled in front of him.