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“Oh, yes, thank you.” She could see everyone else at the table was sneaking glances at her. Interested in who she was, or already realizing she was a mess and couldn’t keep her gaze off of Ray? If only she could fuse her lips with his again.
Oh, my. She needed to get out and date more when she got home. Sneaking a glance at Ray, she somehow didn’t think that would help. She’d never met his equal.
She focused on filling her plate with roasted chicken, a variety of vegetables, and salad. She ate and tried to take part in the conversation, which was centered on the rule changes to baseball and who they wanted to make it to the World Series. She’d heard similar conversations at Sutton’s mansion with his security ops and imagined these men got sick of discussing issues regarding their kingdom and wanted to talk sports like most other men.
Macey tried to avoid staring at Ray. She had no idea that would be the hardest part of her job—not making a fool of herself because she was besotted with her fiancé’s twin.
Kiera surprised Macey as she quietly ate, only answering questions when she was directly asked them. At times she was a ‘wild child’, and then she’d act the part of a demure princess. They had done an excellent job of keeping her out of the media’s eye; Macey knew little about the girl besides that old girlfriend revealing her nickname and what she’d observed today.
The prime minister was comfortable with the family. Apparently, his wife and Queen Anne had been dear friends. That helped Macey relax a bit, but she wondered if the close family connections just complicated things. She could hardly wait for her program to shell out information so her mind wasn’t scrambling with so many questions.
As everyone was finishing eating and passing the plate of fruit around, Chad leaned back in his chair. “So Macey, we’re dying to know how Prince T talked you into leaving your home and moving thousands of miles away from everything you know and love to marry this joker.”
“Have you looked at him?” she joked, smiling at T, but she could see Ray out of the corner of her eye.
Everyone laughed at that. Ray’s gaze was conflicted. She felt the same.
“Honestly, have you ever met anyone who could resist his charm?” she asked Chad and forced herself to focus completely on Tristan.
He winked and spread his hands. “I’m just that appealing.”
“Oh, boy.” Ray groaned and exchanged a look with Chad. “Next we’ll get to hear how the ‘woman magnet’ never has to make an effort because the women ‘come to him’.”
Was it her imagination or was the prime minister stiff and his smile faker than it had been all night? Hmm. Why would he care if Tristan was a ‘woman magnet’?
“Yep.” Chad rolled his eyes but then he grinned wolfishly. “I, for one, am thrilled he found you, Macey. The perfect Prince T off the market means more women for me. We’ll have to comfort all those distraught beauties who thought they had a chance with Prince Charming. Right, Ray?”
Ray studied Macey and murmured, “Right.” Macey’s stomach churned. She didn’t want Ray comforting any beauty.
“Can we take Macey on the tour now?” Kiera piped up.
“Of course.” Ray gave her a quick side hug. “You’ve been very well behaved and patient the entire meal.”
“I have!” Kiera exclaimed. “Somebody tell Nanny Lisa. She loves me but ‘despairs of me acting like a princess’.” She pushed back from the table and sprung to her feet. “Bye, Uncle Henry. Bye, Chad.” She grabbed Ray’s hand and gestured to Tristan and Macey. “Let’s go!”
Everyone laughed and stood. “I’ll walk you out,” the king said to the prime minister.
The prime minister shook everyone’s hands, hugging Kiera. “It was such a pleasure, Macey. Leslie will be sad she missed out. When she returns from Spain, I’ll bring her by.”
“I’ll look forward to that,” Macey said, she hoped graciously. She had landed herself in the midst of a high-society social situation. It was interesting how gracious and kind these people were. The reminded her of Sutton, Liz, and Gage’s girlfriend Cassie—wealthy and well-known but kind and down-to-earth. Maybe she’d labeled high society and social situations as terrifying and out of her realm before she had given either a chance.
“Good luck at the press conference in the morning.” He squeezed her hand and then turned and walked away with the king.
“Press conference,” she muttered. Her head started to throb. Press conference. She’d known it was coming, but she’d been so focused on riddling out the mysteries here, uploading all the people into her system, and fighting her attraction to Ray that she hadn’t worried about the unsavory aspects of her job such as … press conferences. Press releases? Sure, all day long. Press conferences? She needed a place to hide.
“You all right?” Ray was right in front of her with Kiera clinging to his hand.
Tristan and Chad were chatting off to the side.
“Press conference.” She shrugged and swallowed down the acrid taste in her throat. “I’ll survive … somehow.”
“I know you will.” He smiled. “You’re brave, bold, and beautiful. Remember?”
Warmth and remembrance flashed through Macey. Ray’s blue gaze held her captive as she remembered far too well. Her bold words. Her kissing him. Him kissing her back.
“Let’s go.” Kiera tugged on Ray’s hand. “Come on, T!”
“All right, sweet princess.”
