Chapter 0461
I blinked, staring at Julian. Go on vacation with them? Was he talking about the reward for the theater event? That would explain Veronica’s presence.
I stepped back and welcomed them into the room. Then I reminded them, “I’m not one of the high ranking candidates.”
Julian shrugged. “Who cares?” He had a devil–may–care kind of blasé behavior about this. One of those, I’m a prince and can do whatever I want, sort of attitudes.
“Surely, Veronica…?” I looked to her. This was her chance for personal one on one time with Julian. I knew she had said she was okay with losing the competition if it was to me, but there was no way she would just actively hand me her chances.
Veronica shrugged. “I’m more than okay with it. It was my idea.”
I stared at her in shock.
“It’s true,” Julian added. “Actually, she came to me this afternoon and told me all about it. Neither of us want you to be excluded.”
I still had trouble fathoming it. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful for such a clearly generous gift, but… “Why?”
Veronica looked at me flatly. “Why wouldn’t we want you there?”
“If we leave you here, you’ll just sit around and be miserable the whole time you are here,” Julian said. “Wouldn’t it be better to see what those two are up too, rather than imagine it?”
Those two. He was talking about Nicholas and Bridget. And honestly, I wasn’t sure that would be the case. Would I truly rather witness their coupledom myself?
Though maybe he did have a point. Maybe it would be worse to imagine it. So far, despite what Bridget has said about her and Nicholas being official, I haven’t seen any affection from Nicholas to indicate that was actually true.
If I left them alone on a beach though… in front of romantic sunsets…
how things were always meant to be. Nicholas was always going to leave me
that. I needed
Julian said. “Don’t be such a worrywart. We won’t be with them every minute. We could have some fun
be beautiful there,” Veronica added.
“White sandy beaches. Blue–green waters. Bonfires in the evening. Boat drinks only a hand
or resort.
playing near the corner of the room. She perked
she called. “Are
stuffed animal tea party and skipped over to
don’t know, honey.
invited you,”
too,” Veronica
at both of them and then turned her doe eyes onto me. God, I’d never been able to resist that pouting look.
a doctor. Thusly, Elva had never seen the ocean. She never stepped on the sand. She’d
time denying Elva anything on my best days. Now, when I was already caving, it wasn’t too difficult to let myself fold
and told him. “Elva will need a doctor
one.” His smile started to grow. “Does that mean you two are going to come with us?”
went impossibly bigger.
I sighed. “Yes.”
danced around in a circle. “You are making the correct choice,” Veronica said. “You need
Julian and Elva amusing themselves, I leaned closer to her and asked honestly, “You really think I’ll be able to relax there? With Nicholas and
together. “It would be better for you and Julian
“Veronica…”
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