17. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
Drew
Drew came out of a meeting with his father and Glencrest’s Royal Board with a giant smile.
It was impossible not to be ecstatic when the woman he loved had invited him over for a date. Okay, maybe she hadn’t exactly used the word date . But he was holding onto whatever hope he could when it came to their relationship, and this felt like a step in the right direction.
He made his way to Hillside Cottage as quickly as possible, reading through their texts as he walked.
Drew : Did you know that we know more about our moon and Mars than we do about our oceans?
Bri : Isn’t that more of an ocean fact than a space fact?
Drew : A little bit of both, but isn’t it wild? I know I’m obsessed with the solar system, but maybe I’ll start learning about the ocean next.
Bri : I’m fine with the switch to ocean facts in the future, as long as you promise never to make me do a cage dive with sharks.
Drew : Aye aye, captain. *saluting face emoji*
Bri : I know it’s a little last minute, but do you have lunch plans today?
Drew : I’m free after I meet with the Royal Board. What’s up?
Bri : Meet me at Hillside Cottage after? I’ll take care of everything!
Drew : Sounds good *smiling face emoji*
He finally reached the cottage, and Bri opened the door before he could knock, wearing a grin. Light-blue and white paper streamers hung from the ceiling around the living room, and the table was set for two with steaming bowls of food.
“What’s all this?” Drew asked as he stepped in, taking off his suit coat and laying it over the arm of the couch.
“I wanted to do something to celebrate your regatta win, so…ta-da!” Bri flung her arms out beside her. “I know it’s a few days late.”
He pulled her into a bear hug. “This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you,” he whispered into her ear.
“Oh, this is nothing. I’m sure people have done much nicer things.”
But they’re not you . Everything meant so much more when it came from Bri.
“Anyway, we should eat before it gets cold.” She led him over to the table. “I attempted to make lunch. I’m not much of a cook, so I’m not sure if it’s good, but I got the recipe from your head chef.”
He took the seat across from her with a raised eyebrow. “You spoke with Elaine?”
“I did. She was very kind and helpful, but I had planned on making the meal with her guidance. Looking back, I probably should’ve scheduled this in advance, but you know I’m not a planner. So, Elaine was busy; however, she did have enough time to give me a recipe card and explain the steps.” Bri motioned to the food before them. “She said it was one of your favorite meals to make.”
He stared down at the bowl in front of him, his eyes wide. It looked nothing like anything he’d made with Elaine over the years. All he could see was rice with dark chunks of meat topped off with brown blobs. It didn’t look appetizing, to say the least, but she’d made lunch for him, and he really appreciated the gesture.
“I had lots of favorites. Which one did you make?” he asked, trying to be kind with his words but also trying to figure out what he was about to eat.
“Carne asada bowls.”
“Ahhh.” He moved the fork around in his bowl. “So it appears we have some cilantro lime rice, beef, and pico de gallo. What did you top it off with?”
“Guacamole.” Her shoulders fell as she slumped in her seat. “I made it first, and it turned brown faster than I expected. You’re allowed to say it looks like dog poop.”
Drew bit back a laugh. “Guac can turn brown quickly—it’s not your fault. I’m sure you did a great job.” He took a big bite to emphasize his words. As soon as the overly spicy flavors filled his mouth, Drew regretted his decision.
“How is it?” Bri bit her bottom lip as she looked at him.
He could see the hope in her eyes, and he couldn’t be the one to deflate it. “It’s great,” he lied. Drew took a long drink of water, knowing it wouldn’t do a thing to touch his burning mouth. He’d need some milk for that, but he didn’t want to embarrass Bri by getting a glass. “I see you’ve upped the spice level.”
Her brow furrowed. “It shouldn’t be super spicy. I followed the recipe she gave me. There was only about a tablespoon of each of the spices.”
“Was it a big T or a little T on the recipe?”
“Does that matter?”
He laughed. “There’s a pretty big difference between a teaspoon and a tablespoon.”
“How big of a difference?”
“Like three-teaspoons-make-a-tablespoon kind of difference.”
“So I tripled the spices in the recipe?” She grimaced, pushing her bowl back. “I messed it all up. We can have the kitchen make something else or order a pizza—”
“I don’t want anything else.” He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “This is perfect because it’s a thoughtful gift from you.”
“You don’t have to be kind for my sake.”
“It’s just extra flavor.” Drew shrugged, taking another bite.
Bri peered into her bowl, tentatively putting a forkful in her mouth. “Yeah.” She coughed. “There’s no way we’re eating that. I’ll have them send over a pizza.” She got up from the table, grabbing her bowl and then his before carrying them over to the sink.
“I don’t mind eating it, Bri Bear.”
“Yeah, and I don’t want you dying today from my terrible food.” She rinsed the bowls out in her sink before placing them in the dishwasher. “I think I’ll let you stick with the cooking from now on.”
“It was a lovely gesture.” He walked up behind her as she washed her hands, wrapping his arms around her waist and giving her a peck on the cheek. The gesture was as natural as breathing to him, so Drew didn’t even realize what he’d done until he felt her body stiffen. He immediately stepped away, dropping his hands to his sides and flexing them. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” she said, but her voice sounded wobbly. “I just didn’t realize you were behind me.”
He went to the living room and sat on the couch. Bri cleared her throat as she joined him.
“On a completely unrelated note, do you know if Elaine is single? She appears to be around Bastian’s age, and I think it’s about time he found love.”
Drew shot her an amused smile. “Does he want to find love?”
“He’s never mentioned it…but we don’t usually talk about that kind of thing.” Bri waved it off. “Just tell me if she’s single.”
“The last I heard she was.” He ran his hands along his pants legs, trying to rid his body of the anxiety that had spiked when Bri had stiffened at his touch.
He’d thought they were moving in a positive direction—a more romantic one—after the way she’d looked at him at the regatta, but maybe her feelings still didn’t go beyond friendship. The thought made him completely lose his appetite.
“Great, I’ll have to find the perfect time to tell him. One when he’s not super grumpy or mad at me for running off again on a hike by myself.”
“Good luck with that,” he teased.
She hit him on the arm with a pale-blue throw pillow. “Do you see my phone anywhere? I need to request the pizza.”
He pulled his phone out. “I can do it. What kind do you want?”
“Pepperoni and banana peppers?”
“Perfect.” Drew typed out a quick request to the kitchen and slid his phone back into his pocket. “Done.”
“Thanks.” She turned back to him so fast he flinched. “I almost forgot about the gift.” She jumped off the couch and ran into her bedroom. When Bri returned, she was holding a t-shirt with an image of two oars in an X formation that said May the oars be with you .
His mouth pulled into a grin. “I don’t think you could have found a more fitting gift.” He stood, taking it from her and holding it to his chest.
“I know you can’t wear it super often because you’re a prince, but I couldn’t resist.”
“There’s no rule I can’t wear it under my dress shirts.” He winked. “I’ll be like a rowing, Star - Wars -watching Superman.” Drew widened his stance and placed his hands on his hips.
She threw another couch pillow at him while she giggled. “Whatever you say. I’m glad you like it.”
“Like it? I love it. Thank you so much.” He gave her a quick hug, careful to not hold on too long and scare her away.
By the time the pizza arrived, his appetite was back—just like his hope. If he was being honest, Drew wasn’t sure he’d ever wear the shirt. He’d rather put it in a frame and hang it on his wall as a reminder that the woman he loved knew him to his core. On the hardest days, it could serve as a beacon of hope that their fake relationship could turn into a real one.