Chapter 36
Lyra
I
’ve never been so nervous before a date as I am now, getting ready for my date with Spencer.
There isn’t much to get ready though—Alexa does a light makeup with extra sunscreen because we’ll be spending the day outside, then leaves me so I can get dressed. I wear black running shorts and a pink T-shirt, my hair in a swingy pony-tail.
I change the shirt four times, the shorts twice, each time Tema giving me her opinion. I’m not sure she realizes today’s date is with Spencer, or if she’s just caught up in my nervous excitement.
She’s mentioned Abigail a few times since she’s been here, off-handed comments or funny things she’s said. I know Abigail is like a second mother to Tema, while I am only the favourite aunt. I don’t want to upset her.
I don’t want Tema to think I took Spencer away from Abigail. Because I didn’t.
I have no idea what goes on in the heads of eight-year-olds.
Eventually, Bo appears to collect her. “You with Spencer today?” he asks in his gruff Bo voice, as he picks Tema up and throws her over his shoulder.
I nod.
“You look scared.”
“I’m not scared,” I protest.
“Good, because you shouldn’t be. It’s Spence.”
Of course it’s Spence. But it’s not the same.
“Tell Spencer I said hi,” Tema cries from upside down. “And Tanner. I like Tanner.”
“Tanner likes you, too,” I tell her. “And I’ll tell Spencer.” It makes me feel better that Tema seems fine about my date with Spencer, but then again, she’s eight and has no idea what really goes on during a date.
“Is that all you’re going to tell him?” Bo wants to know.
“I don’t know what I’m going to tell him. I don’t know anything,” I say, hearing the note of possible hysteria in my voice. “It’s different here. He’s—”
“He’s Spencer,” Tema points out. “And you like him. And he likes you.”
I stare at the back of Tema’s legs. It sounds so easy when she says it.
“He’s the same Spencer he’s always been,” Bo points out. “Just be yourself, because that’s why he’s here. For you.”
“Have you seen him?” I ask.
Bo shakes his head. “They won’t let me near him. Why?”
“I just wanted to know if that was something he told you to say to me.”
He sets Tema down, and shoos her away before he steps into my room. Clothes are strewn all over the place, with a rack brought in to house my collection of dresses.
Grayson was true to his word, and the wedding dress I wore yesterday hangs beside the navy dress from the first night.
I wish I could wear one of the ball gowns today, hiding inside the silk and sequins like it was my armour.
“Lyra,” Bo orders and I slowly raise my eyes to Bo. “You’re the princess of Laandia.”
“Not the only one anymore,” I correct.
“You’re the only daughter of King Magnus and Queen Selene. You’ve got thousands of people who follow you on social media—”
“Please, know your numbers. It’s in the millions. And I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me.”
Bo turns me to face the mirror. “Look at yourself. You’re Lyra Erickson, and you’ve known Spencer your whole life. Trust yourself. And trust Spencer.”
I stare at Bo’s reflection rather than my own. “Are you okay with this?” I whisper. “If this ends up being a this? He’s your best friend and the four of you—”
Abigail, but I don’t want to mention her name.
And Hettie, who suddenly appears at the open door. “Lyra, Ria says the car will be here in five minutes,” she reports, looking flustered when she sees our serious expressions. “Sorry to interrupt your moment.”
“You take over this, Hettie.” Bo drops a kiss on my head. “You’re my favourite sister,” he reminds me.
“I’m your only sister,” I say as he heads for the door.
“Not anymore. Sisters-in-law count too.”
“Everything okay?” Hettie asks as Bo disappears.
“First-date jitters,” I admit with a rueful smile. “And I seem to need some sort of blessing from Spencer’s best friends.”
“Bo’s happy about this,” Hettie assures me.
“And you? Abigail is your best friend and I’m kind of taking her man.”
My newest sister-in-law smiles at me. “You can’t take anything from Abigail that she isn’t willing to give up.”
“So if Abigail hadn’t walked away—”
“Spencer would have realized what we all do. That he needs to be with you.”
I turn to look at myself in the mirror. Yes, he does.
“Let’s just hope he does, or you’re going to have another short date,” Hettie says over her shoulder as she leaves. “I’ll tell them you’ll be down shortly.”
I spend the next few minutes staring at myself in the mirror.
“This is it,” I say out loud. “This is my chance with Spencer.”
It’s about time.
“It wasn’t time before.” And I never expected this to be the time, either. I signed on to be the Suitorette to get over Spencer, not go on a date with him.
It shouldn’t feel this significant because I’ve gone on date-like things with Spencer before. We’ve been to the MetGala. Movie premiers. Birthday parties for Prince William and former PM Justin Trudeau.
I’ve wandered through the secret passages of the castle clinging to his hand and drank wine on the battlements with him.
But all those times were the same because I never felt like he wanted to be with me. It was as if he had been with me because he was assigned as my date or my guide, or my minder. Someone who was there to make sure I didn’t get into trouble.
This time, it’s different.