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I have been in a similar situation with my sister for the past thirty-six years. Scarlett has always been my number one focus. I’ve always dropped everything when she’s called. I’ve lost sleep, friends, and money because of my sister. I’ve failed tests and relationships because of my sister. I’ve turned down or put off opportunities of my own for her.
And I’d do it all again. And again.
I understand Henry.
IloveHenry.
But I’m thirty-six years old, and I’ve lived a life that has been anything but glamorous and privileged. I know this thing with us isn’t going to work when his attention, energy, and heart are already spoken for.
He’s amazing.
But I deserve more.
“Henry,” I say, stepping toward him. “If it comes down to me or Cian, it will have to be Cian. Right?”
He’s staring at me, his jaw clenched, his blue eyes dark. But, while Henry Dean is one of the most stubborn men I know, used to getting his way and bossing people—even a prince or two—around, he’s honest.
“Right,” he finally says. “It will have to be Cian.”
“And now Scarlett and Mariah.” This part is actually really important to me. It makes it all worth it. I can live without Henry—sadly and with a crack in my heart, sure, but alive—if I know he’s there for my sister and niece.
“Yes. And now Scarlett and Mariah,” he says, his voice sounding like sandpaper.
They deserve that. Him. All ofthis.
My god, my sister is now an honest-to-Godprincess. Cara is a tiny country that very few people have heard of or could find on a map. If they don’t follow women’s gymnastics or men’s ice hockey, or celebrity royal gossip, they probably haven’t heard of it at all. Cara’s got a royal family that’s been living in secret in the US for about a decade. They’ve also got an almost Olympic gold medalist and a rising hockey star who are now both living in the US. Brother and sister Alex and Astrid Olsen have helped raise their country’s profile for sure. But Cara is still somewhat inconsequential in the overall global picture.
Still, my sister now has a family, security—physical, financial, emotional—and influence. She’s going to get to have her dream job, running a foundation that will help single moms. And she’s found true freaking love. Prince Cian O’Grady loves my sister with everything he’s got. It’s big romantic movie love.
I tear up every time I think about all of this.
My sister deserves all of this. And my niece is set. She can go to college anywhere she wants, study anything she wants,travel the world, live anywhere, do all the amazing things she’s dreamed of. Mariah will change the world with the O’Grady family behind her.
I’m so damned lucky to have a front-row seat for that.
So yes, I’m very happy that Henry will be there to take care of them, look after them, help them access everything they now have at their fingertips, and navigate this new world they are a part of.
It’s going to make leaving them all so much easier.
“I’m glad,” I finally say out loud to Henry. “I’mgladyou’re going to be there for them. I’m not angry. I’m not upset. I just…” I take a breath and meet his gaze. “You and Ihave tofind a way to run into each other from time to time, to be friendly, but nothing more.”
“No.”
I roll my eyes. He’s so fucking stubborn. He’s four years younger than me, but he acts like he’s my superior. It’s annoying.
Unless we’re in a bedroom.
We are not in a bedroom right now.
Yes, he’s had a lot of life experience, but it’s all been luxurious and extravagant. He’s seen more of the world than I have. Eaten more exotic foods than I have. Experienced a wider variety of cultures than I have.
But I’ve been in the nitty-gritty of life. I’ve worked almost exclusively in bars and restaurants. I’ve put myself through college. I’ve lived paycheck to paycheck for most of my adult life. I’ve lived in shit-hole apartments, gone without…well, almost everything at one time or another…helped my sister navigate a pregnancy, the healthcare system, the childcare system, and the workplace all as a single mom.
And I’ve met people just like me and Scarlett all along the way.
Henry has dined and partied with royalty, politicians, and celebrities.
I know real people. Average people. Hardworking, just-trying-to-make-it people.