Recklessly Royal(40)

“That is a matter of opinion.” She frowned. “I feel like I was hit by a wine truck.”

“A wine truck?”

“Drunk and hurt.” Her eyes fluttered shut for a minute. “Sorry. Still tired.”

“Sleep. I’ll be here.” I squeezed her hand.

I turned the television to something other than the news and sat for a while, holding my friend’s hand while she snored softly. It wasn’t until the third episode of a nature show came on that she stirred in her bed.

“Go eat.” Her voice took on a stern sound.

“What?” My eyebrows lifted.

“You don’t eat when you’re worried. Eat something.” Her head rolled to the side gently. “Real food.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I couldn’t help my chuckle. Even now when she was recovering from a near-death experience she was trying to take care of me. I leaned over and kissed her forehead but she didn’t stir. She was already sound asleep once again.

“Cath, I’m going to go. I have some engagements to take care of, but I believe Chadwick and David will be staying for a little while.” Max touched my shoulder. Leaning down he whispered in my ear, “Maybe your new friend is hungry too. Chadwick could stay and watch Selene while you eat.”

“Thanks.” I reached up and touched his hand. I had a feeling that Max was picking up even more slack now that this had happened with Selene.

“Be careful with Tabitha.” With that last sentence, he squeezed my shoulder and left the room.

“Want to find the cafeteria?” David asked.

“Sure.” It was well after lunch and I still hadn’t eaten. Selene was right, I lost all interest in food when I was worried or stressed, but I’d try to eat something.

Chadwick settled into my seat as I left with David. I realized this was the first time we had been alone since he had asked for our date. Well, if you didn’t count the bodyguards following a few steps behind or the fact that Tabitha was probably lurking somewhere just out of eyesight.

“So does this count as a date?”

“I’m not sure.” He scratched his chin again and I wondered if he realized he did that when he was thinking. “Not exactly an ideal place.”

“Nah. There’s food, flowers, and zombies everywhere.”

“Are zombies a qualification for a good date?” He chuckled.

“Well, I hear that scary movies give you a reason to fake being scared and cuddle close.” I batted my eyes at him and he laughed.

“I have a feeling that you would be the last person in the theater to be scared.”

“I said fake being scared,” I replied. “Of course I wouldn’t be scared. A good axe to the head of the zombie and you’re fine.”

“Wow. That’s a bit violent, Your Highness.” His shoulder bumped into mine and I realized he was as close to me as he could be without actually having his arm around my shoulders.

“Well, a good shovel would work too. Something with reach, but not too long. You don’t want to waste time swinging something longer than you are tall.” I mimed swinging a bat.

“You’ve done your fair share of research on this, I see.”

“I grew up with two older brothers. They thought it would be funny to scare their little sister with horror movies, but the joke was on them. I wasn’t the one up with nightmares.” I nodded my head.

“No, I bet you slept with an arsenal next to your bed.”

“A big polo stick. They never snuck into my room again.” I laughed, remembering them running and tripping over each other as I swung my weapon. Mother had been furious, but Father had simply winked at me.

“Despite everything, it seems like you had some really normal moments growing up.”

“Despite everything.” I snorted. “There was a lot of normal in my life. I just also had to learn how to behave when visiting dignitaries stayed at our home.” I shrugged. “Sort of like when other people are on their best behavior because Aunt Beatrice comes for the holidays.”

“Okay, I can see that, I think.” He pointed to a sign leading to the cafeteria. “Our food, madam.”

“Excellent. I was in the mood for cold turkey and day-old salad.” I rubbed my hands together.

“I do aim to please.”

We took our trays from the end of the line and pretended not to notice the people staring at us as we chose our food and drinks. I was used to ignoring everyone, but I could tell David had to work at it. When we reached the cash register at the end of the line, I pulled one of my cards from my pocket, but David stopped me.

“I’ve got it.” He ducked his head so that he could whisper in my ear. “What kind of man lets his date pay for dinner?”