“You’re amazing.” I sipped at the orange-flavored drink and closed my eyes. Selene was amazing and we got along swimmingly, but there was a maternal feel to our relationship. I supposed that was to be expected when she was the one who explained tampons to me.
“I figured you’d been drinking water all day, but needed something a little better.” He sat down in the seat across from me. “You doing okay?”
“Do I look like I’m doing okay?” I frowned.
“Well, you always look marvelous, but to those of us that know you, I can tell you’re not feeling well.” He propped his leg up on his knee and leaned back in his chair. “Do you remember much of last night?”
“Bits and pieces.” I scrunched up my nose. “Very unfortunate pieces.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“Why?” I frowned. Surely he didn’t mean when I asked David to take his clothes off or when I threw up in a potted plant. “I’m computing at half power today.”
“You let yourself have fun last night. I don’t remember the last time I saw you so relaxed.”
“I relax,” I protested. “And really, I’m paying for last night’s fun.”
“Meditating in the garden is not what I mean. You’re twenty-one! You should be having fun.” He laughed at my expression. “Maybe not quite that much fun, but you know what I mean.”
“Chadwick, you know how busy I am.” I started to shake my head but thought better of it. “And I can’t afford to have people see me like I was last night.”
“You can’t afford to not have any fun either.” He frowned at me. “I know how hard you’ve worked on this wedding. I know how hard you work at school. You need to be yourself and not worry about upsetting anyone.”
I sighed. There wasn’t much arguing with him when he decided to turn into a big brother.
“Don’t sigh at me, missy. I’m not telling you to give yourself liver damage. I’m just pointing out that Cathy is just as good as Princess Catherine. You don’t have to be one or the other.”
I looked at him, considering what he was saying. I just didn’t know how to be both. Not anymore.
There was a light tap on the door and Selene came in with a tray and a bottle of aspirin.
“Hello!” She smiled at the redhead sitting across from me.
“How are you, Selene?” Chadwick stood up and moved out of the way so she could set the tray on my desk.
“Very well. I sent you an e-mail this morning with some of the details of next week. Once I have the okay I can send out the schedules.” She uncovered the sandwiches while she talked, and I murmured a quiet thanks.
“I’ll get to it tonight.” Chadwick smiled at her before turning back to me. “I’ll see you later, Catherine.”
“Get out of here.” I hated it when he called me by my whole name. “Thanks for the drink.”
“Any time.” He winked at me as he left and I shook my head.
I opened my laptop and started work. I need to get things done before the dinner tonight. If I could finish early I might be able to squeeze in a quick nap so I’d be more on my game. I’d be sitting next to the younger brother of another royal family and he was handsy.
FIVE
THE THRONGS OF people outside were astounding. Even though I had expected it, the size of the crowd was staggering. It made me nervous, and I had grown up with the constant watching eye of the media and public. I couldn’t imagine how Sam must feel in this moment. Even Alex looked anxious.
“You look a little pale.” I smiled over at my brother.
“I’m not pale.” He flashed a wobbly smile.
“You don’t look pale, you look like you’re going to hurl.” Max slapped Alex on the back and laughed. “Should I call for a bucket?”
“Shut up.” Alex growled.
“Cold feet?” I turned to look at him.
“Of course not.” He pulled at the sleeves of his tux. “Not mine anyways.”
“You think Sam won’t show up?” I laughed. I couldn’t help it. My cocky brother was worried the love of his life would stand him up at the altar. “Sam isn’t going to leave you hanging.”
“I’m worried about what she’ll do when she sees this crowd.” Alex peeked out the curtain. I squeezed next to him and looked at the masses.
“Chadwick will keep her calm.” I touched his arm.
Alex nodded sharply before wrapping an arm around my shoulders, leaning down, and kissing the top of my head. I smiled. This was something he did when he was nervous but didn’t want to say that aloud. It actually worked in his favor, because to those who didn’t know him, he appeared completely comfortable.