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He might never get past Nina.
And then what would she do? Be in love with a man who couldn’t trust enough to return her feelings?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ON MONDAY MORNING, the royals had been back for three days and were settled in. Rumor around the palace was that Dean had been invited to dinner Sunday night, and that he and Alex had been cordial. No one expected them to become best friends, but for Grennady’s sake, Kristen was glad they’d made a peace of a sort.
Around noon, Kristen’s intercom buzzed. She pressed the button. “Yes?”
Eva said, “Kristen, could I see you in my office, please.”
“Of course.”
When she walked into Eva’s office, Prince Alex rose from his chair beside Eva’s. He smiled. “Sit.”
Confusion rumbled through her, but she sat.
Eva said, “We understand you and Dean spent time together while we were away.”
“Yes. I mentioned to you already that he needed a guest for a Christmas party and when he brought his staff here I kept our relationship going to make sure he and his staff were comfortable.”
“He told us that he’s advising you on your charity, specifically talking about your board of advisors.”
“He told you that?”
“Yes. We had a very good conversation.” Eva reached out and took Alex’s hand. “This isn’t an easy situation for any of us. But ten years have gone by, and Xaviera’s Royal Guard, headed by Alex’s brother, absolved Dean of any guilt in the death of their mutual friend. It was time to let go.”
Kristen sat back on her seat. She tried to picture Dean’s reaction to that and couldn’t. The royals might not blame him for Nina’s death, but Nina had used him.
“Which was how the conversation naturally flowed to you and your charity. Dean is very impressed. We’ve always been impressed with you. And now that everything seems to be falling into place, Alex and I would like to offer our suggestions on that too.”
“I’d love to hear them.”
“We also want to be one of your first benefactors. As soon as you have your corporation and bank accounts set up, we’ll be donating a million dollars.”
Kristen’s face fell. “Thank you.”
Alex said, “We also think it’s time for you to quit your post here.”
Something inside of Kristen blossomed to life. For years she’d been dreaming, researching, and the day was finally here. She was going to do something important not for herself but for the world.
The thrill of it shimmied through her and she sat up taller in her chair. “Yes. It is. Thank you.”
“So as of today, you’re free.” Eva laughed. “Which means I now have to give you a formal invitation to the reception we’ll be hosting tonight for Suminski Stuff. Because you were the one who got them here, we’ll feel it’s only right you attend the reception—as yourself, not an employee anymore.”
Kristen rose. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Eva rose too. “Sweetie, you can call me Eva now. After all, if I’m on your board of advisors, I’ll sort of be working for you.”
* * *
The reception that night hosted by King Mason to honor the guests from Suminski Stuff was as formal as a ball, just a lot smaller. Kristen dressed in a pink lace gown she’d bought for the royal Christmas Eve party the year before. She wasn’t one to care about wearing the same dress twice. She’d actually seen Princess Eva do it. Plus, now that she was officially on her own, every cent she spent had meaning.
The princess straightened the cap sleeves of her gown. “You look perfect. Very smart. Are you ready for this?”
Kristen laughed. “I think dealing with Dean prepared me for a lot of it.”
Eva said, “Hmm...I hope you’re being careful with him. His upbringing made him ruthless. That’s not something a man gets over or forgets. It’s part of who he is.”
“I’m fine with him. In fact, I like him.”
“Like him?”
With everything happening so fast in her life, Kristen decided it was time to take another plunge. “He’s very different with me than he is with other people. He’s been to dinner at my house, helped my family decorate our tree.”
