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A secret smile spread across Jan’s face. Esme had noticed a definite pep to her friend’s step as she moved about the huge kitchen. She knew it had to be more than the stainless steel appliances. Jan had worked at high-end restaurants before.
“Or maybe a certain someone has broadened your imagination? Maybe a certain prince?”
The smile dissolved from the pie maker’s face like the spices
melting into the mixture. Jan’s head jerked up and looked around at the staff, but no one paid them any attention. “Stop it. He’s a prince. I’m from Jersey.”
“It’s possible.”
Jan sat down her mixing spoon and dusted the flour off her hands. “Esme, I say this because I love you; Girl, pull your head out of the clouds.”
Esme crossed her arms over her chest and leaned her hip against the counter as she regarded her friend.
“We’re here in this world for a visit, not a mortgage. Girls like us don’t stay in a fairyland world. And before you bring up Kate and Meghan,” Jan held up her index finger before Esme could get in a word, “just remember that took years of strife to change that monarchy. There were bumps, broken hearts, and crashes along the way. This kingdom is still practicing ancient traditions. Do you want to be a bump?”
She wasn’t going to be a bump. And even if this road she was on with Leo was rocky, she knew it was worth it for one good reason. “There’s a thing between Leo and me.”
“I get it. I see it,” said Jan.
Jan’s confirmation of the thing pleased Esme more than she could say. That unnamable thing grew in her heart at being acknowledged.
“But it’s just a thing,” Jan continued. “It’s not even named.”
Of course, it wasn’t named. But it would be. Soon. She and Leo just needed to spend more time together to define what was happening between them.
Jan came to stand before her, looking Esme directly in the eye. “You’re a smart girl. Don’t risk your heart on anything but a proper noun.”
Part of Esme knew Jan had a point. Both women had faced their fair share of disappointments at the hands of the opposite sex. But Leo was different.
“Esme, you’re not even invited to dinner. Cinderella was at least invited to the ball.”
“I’m helping my mean BFF prepare dessert in the kitchen.”
“Your BFF, who loves you because you’re the rock in her world. See, that; love and rock. Those are both nouns you can stand on.”
Esme didn’t want to argue with Jan. Unlike her bestie, Esme still believed love was real. She still wanted it in her life. And right now, there was only one man she could see herself offering that word, which could be both a verb and a noun, to.
She wanted to love Leo. She wanted to be loved by Leo. She wanted to be Leo’s love, and him hers.
“Smells lovely.” Mrs. Dolevitt came through the kitchen doors that lead to the dining area.
Esme craned her neck, but she couldn’t see anything. She did hear the clinking of glasses and the low murmur of conversation. There was a belly laugh, but she didn’t think it was Leo’s. He had a light chuckle that was more of a delighted smile with a gush of breath than anything.
“How are things going at the state dinner?” Esme asked.
“Very well. Mainly because the parents are all relaxed due to all their children being sound asleep from running about today.”
Esme would pat herself on the back, but Mrs. Dolevitt did it for her.
“You wouldn’t happen to be looking for a job as a palace governess, now would you?” asked the housekeeper.
Esme cocked her head as though to ponder the thought. It wasn’t beyond the realm of consideration. Especially if she’d leave behind Principal Clark for King Leonidas.
“There is one child who is still awake.” Mrs. Dolevitt inclined her head to the door behind Esme.
Esme turned and found Penelope standing in the doorway, she wasn’t as bright eyed and bushy tailed as she’d left her a couple hours ago. The child looked tired and was putting up a fight against sleep. Esme wondered if anyone had ever needed to tell the child no for any reason. She was always so well behaved.
“You said I could help with the baking?” Penelope said. “To practice my fractions.”
