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“Do you need something?” she asked, spinning in front of the door.
“True, but you’re always here. When I get home. You’re here.” I shoved my hands in my pockets.
“That was different. I don’t think it’s necessary for me to be here at night when you get in because… well…”
“You can say it, Kenley. You were here to keep me from getting so fucking hammered I couldn’t see straight.”
She blinked. “I wouldn’t put it that way, but yes.”
“You don’t have to tip-toe around it. I was a drunk. A royal drunk.”
She shifted on her heels. Damn. I caught an eyeful of long, lean legs. I brought my eyes upward, begrudgingly. I wanted to follow the lines of her smooth legs toward her ass.
“But you aren’t anymore.” She smiled. “Let’s focus on that today.”
“Was there ever a time you were here at night that you weren’t grabbing a drink from my hand?” I prodded.
The nights before rehab had never been stored in my memory. It was as if I wasn’t really there. I didn’t have memories of stumbling in, clambering across the bar for more booze. But I knew I did. I had the hangovers to prove it.
“Sometimes,” she whispered.
“What I must have put you through, Kenley.” I shook my head.
“It’s all right, your majesty.”
“No. It’s not. It never was all right.” I rubbed the side of my jaw. “I’m lucky I didn’t lose you in this mess. I don’t know of any royal managers who would put up with my behavior. I’m truly sorry. You could have transferred a long time ago.”
“You’re better now. I’d rather focus on that. Spain was good for you.” Her smile was sad.
“Chess?” I blurted.
“Excuse me?”
“Chess. Tonight after my family dinner. Would you like to play?”
She shook her head. “I don’t really play.”
“Ok. You choose something else. I need to make healthy habits, according to my sessions with Dr. Garcia. You can help me start something new.”
“Surely, you’d rather spend time with Prince Liam or Prince Donovan.”
I sighed. “I guess I could go to the Titan instead. Maybe there’s a gala tonight.”
“No!” Kenley leapt forward.
I chuckled. “I was kidding. I’m not about to start boozing and bidding on women. At least not on the first night home.”
Her eyes were hard. “Not a funny joke.”
I shrugged. “Humor is the best way to heal, I’ve found. But I’d rather start something new at night with you than rely on my brothers and their bad habits. Look what happened to Damon. He bid who knows how much at that gala and ended up with a wife.”
“You’re asking for my help? To keep you out of trouble?”
“Yes. No.” I walked toward her. “Maybe I want to undo those memories you have of me and replace them with something else.”
I saw the color rise on her cheeks. It was sort of adorable. I cocked my head to the side. Did Kenley always do that?
“I have a lot of history to re-write, Kenley. I’m sure you’re not the only person in the palace who saw me drunk. There are a lot of people here who need to know I’ve changed. I’m a different man. You can understand that, right?”
