Royally Benevolent (Resplendent Royals #4)

41. Whiplash

41

WHIPLASH

ODETTE

“ A in’t No Sunshine again ?” Rick entered the music room.

“That’s enough judgment,” I said.

“It’s been all morning. Why are you down, Odie?”

He sat on the couch in my eyeline, holding a book of French swears.

“What are you reading that for?”

“I am broadening my horizons. You don’t want to know why,” Rick said. “I can assure you. Answer the question, Odette.”

I grimaced. If that had to do with Alex’s weird fantasy, I definitely wanted nothing to do with it.

“Oh, get your head out of the gutter! I have a bet with a buddy I cannot fluently swear in French. I had to read up since neither you nor Alex will teach me, and the deviant ones are abroad. Does this still have to do with the accident?”

“No,” I sighed. “I talked that out in therapy. It’s stupid, and… music is how I process things.”

“And while you are a beautiful musician, and I can appreciate that, I need some variety.”

I started playing Adele’s “Hello.”

“Nope. Not that. Try again. ”

I snickered. “So, it’s weird. Ever since I invited Wyatt to dinner, he’s like... shut down. I shouldn’t care, I guess. We weren’t dating.”

“Okay, but I can tell you like him. I also think the feeling is mutual. So, have you asked him what is up?”

“No,” I winced. “I don’t want to feel stupid.”

“Why feel stupid?”

“Because I don’t want to throw myself at him in a desperate attempt.”

“Desperation is trying to do anything to fix the bride’s wedding dress days before the wedding, hoping she won’t ignore you for the rest of your married life. And sometimes desperation works.”

“Okay, but I didn’t do anything wrong. What am I guilty of? Being too kind? Trying to invite him over? Maybe I’m just too extra.”

I looked down.

Rick approached, gesturing. “Scootch.”

I moved just enough so he could sit on the piano bench beside me. I watched him play a terrible rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star .

“Kari does a better job,” I giggled.

“Well, I took a shot. You miss all the ones you don’t take.”

“I could teach you to actually play,” I offered.

“Nah. I have to learn how to swear.”

“Priorities,” I snickered.

“For real.”

“What if I’m backsliding, and this is just mania? Like what if I am reading things in and he doesn’t like me or?—”

“Stop,” Rick said. “Does your therapist think it’s mania?”

“No. She said these are normal emotions for me, and I should give it time.”

“I’d agree with her, Odie.”

I groaned and slammed the keys angrily.

“I know it’s not just you thinking things up. The way that man looks at you doesn’t strike me as ‘platonic’.”

“Okay, but what about something else.”

“Like?”

I looked at my hands. “I don’t want to get into it. It will gross us both out, but things were… done. And now... wh at if he’s finished?”

“As a reformed slut,” Rick said, “let me assure you that isn’t it. Men who want nothing but nefarious things do not show up with their sons at a girl’s family’s house for dinner. He wouldn’t pick up the phone if that were the case.”

I glanced at Rick, doubtful.

“Kid, he lost his wife. I would bet money he hasn’t been with anyone else since then.”

True .

“And because of that, maybe it is taking him some time to ease into it. Give him space. Forcing it will only backfire. He will come around.”

“You can’t just say that.”

“I can.” Rick rubbed my back. “And that is because, Odette, you are like a fucking ray of sunshine. That man needs more sunshine. He won’t want to miss out on you.”

I rested my head on Rick’s shoulder. “Are you sure?”

“Kid, I am sure as shit he will not run. He needs time. I’ve known him longer than you have. He’s an honest guy. I would have tried to scare him off if he weren’t.”