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We moved the party inside, and a light lunch was served. My aunt and uncle, the cousin’s parents, joined us for dinner as did my cousin Patrick and his mother. It seemed as if the royal family had come to join us for lunch to try and convince Avery and me not to get married. It was no surprise to me whatsoever to see Lucy O’Day and her parents also walk in. We were going to have a royal roasting of epic proportions and nothing could prepare Avery for what she was about to witness. If she survived this lunch and didn’t get on a plane back to New York immediately afterward our marriage would last long into our old age.
“For the sake of your mental health, you’re about to be officially grilled,” I whispered as I held her back a few paces and talked quietly. “So, we’ve been talking for six months online. You and Kylie knew early on you wanted me at the event as you had read about my work with our own housing and homeless crisis. Which luckily is true, only it wasn’t you, it was Maralis Gutierrez who contacted me about the St. Patrick’s Day event because she knows my mate. We instantly liked one another online. Met in person and it was the kind of love you only see in the movies. We are eager to get married and start our family.” I offered her a tentative smile knowing she wasn’t going to like the kind of crap I was making her spew.
“We can’t just tell the truth and say I fucked you the first night I saw you after falling for your sexy Irish accent?” She was only half kidding.
“If you’d like to see how many ways the Irish press can say ‘slut’ without actually saying it be my guest, otherwise stick with the story I gave you.” I didn’t want to be such a commanding asshole, but the less they really knew about us the better.
“So, we met online. I fell in love with you before I even met you, can’t wait to get married and squirt out little royal grandbabies. I think I got it.” I really did love her.
“Okay… and the person I was supposed to marry is here. This is should be more fun than a bag of leprechauns.” I winked just as we made it to the sunroom where a lunch of finger sandwiches, tea, and, the soup was being served.
“How was the game?” Cara and Elena’s father asked.
“It wasn’t much of a game. His Royal Highness swept us up.” Cara stood behind her seat and her sister did the same.
“So like him,” was all my uncle said as the rest of the party took their seats and waited for the king.
Lucy looked as if she was about to cry. She stared at me with a forlorn kind of surprise. Though I told her several times over the years that I had no intention of ever marrying her I think she hoped that because she had my family’s support she was going to be my wife, whether I liked it or not. Seeing her in such a bad state I did feel sorry for her and wondered what her future might look like since she was no longer a contender for the queen. I was just about to make an announcement that would forever remove her chances of a union with me.
I could tell by the look on her face she knew today would bring the end of all of her hopes and dreams. Lucy wasn’t a bad person, just a boring one. She had always been the impetus to find anyone other than her. As her eyes watched Avery, no doubt seeing the marked difference in their looks, she must have been coming to terms with what was about to come. Lucy, even on her best day, would never be as glorious as Avery on her worst. As soon as Avery took the seat next to me and stood behind it waiting for my father, Lucy’s eyes cast down knowing that she had been defeated. Lucy’s only rebuff would be to try and break Avery at the table at this very lunch. I took her hand and squeezed it giving her an assurance that she was here as my partner and no matter what they flung at her, I would uphold our agreement.
Father took his time arriving at the dining hall, understanding this gathering was his last chance at intimidation. When he arrived, he made a grand announcement.
“I’ve gathered you all here today so that we might have a chance to meet Avery Johnson, the woman my wayward son has deemed worthy of his interest.” Nothing like going straight for the jugular.
“Thank you,” Avery gave everyone a small curtsey and my father sat down with an exasperated sigh. “I am so honored to be here.”
