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“Check your head?” I guess, moving aside. “See the sky?”

Remy stops, his green eyes locked on mine. “Yeah,” he breathes, tucking the marker behind his ear. “Exactly. Fuckingexactly.”

Getting a better sense of this guy’s mania, I ask, “But you’ll come back and do it, right?”

“You saved Nicky,” he says, as though that covers it. “And I’ll do anything for Ver. She deserves the best.”

If I’ve learned one thing that ties the Dukes and Princes together, it’s that one simple fact.

Verity deserves the best.

“Will August ever end?Who thought it was a good idea to be pregnant in the summer?” Verity stands in front of the refrigerator, tugging at the collar of her shirt while letting the cool air rush out. To be clear, it’s not hot in here. The thermostatis set on sixty-eight and runs continuously. “Also, do we have any more peaches?”

“I’ll add it to the list,” I say, giving Ballsack a look.

“Ver,” he says, “we should probably head out, so you’re not late.”

She slams the refrigerator door shut and looks down at her dress. “I should change.”

“I like that dress,” I tell her, truthfully.

Her nose wrinkles. This has been a point of contention ever since we danced that night in the ballroom. “It’s too tight.”

“I think it hugs your curves perfectly.”

“It’s tight,” she argues.

“It’s flattering.”

“I’mfat.”

“You’re literally the most gorgeous I’ve ever seen you.” This isn’t the first time I’ve said it, and it won’t be the last. “The more your body progresses, the more beautiful you get. This,” I say, taking a step toward her, “is a body of creation, ripe and full of life.”

Her jaw sets. “Like amelon.”

Fucking cantaloupe week.

Pinning her against the countertop, I trap her in with an arm on either side of her curvy body. “I know what you’re doing.”

She pointedly avoids my gaze. “What’s that?”

“Procrastinating,” I wager, leaning in to brush a kiss over the curve of her cheek. “You’re worried about the shower.”

She sighs, turning to graze my lips with hers. “I don’t like being the center of attention.”

“Too bad, because you’re a Princess. You gave up the option of anonymity the moment you accepted the invitation to the masquerade.” I push her hair off her neck, exposing the long line of her neck. “But I don’t think that’s it. I think you’re worried about your court.”

Her eyes flare with life. “Why wouldn’t I be? The last time I went to the Gilded Rose with those bitches, they tried to ruin my hair. And then I ruined their relationships.” Guilt flickers across her face. “We have a really complicated history.”

“And you’ve done the work to repair it.” The crown of her belly rubs against my lower belly, andfuck, I like it. “Tommy said he and Heather are back together.”

A small grin tugs at her mouth, giving away her pride at her leadership, but all she says is, “Aw. I hope they’re making each other miserable.”

I laugh. “Yeah, neither is my idea of an ideal partner, but if it makes them happy…”

She touches my cheek, fingers tucking my hair behind my ear. “I like it when you laugh. You don’t do it enough.” A shiver of want runs down my spine, and then she frowns. “But what if the whole thing goes sideways?”

“It won’t,” I promise her.