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“What’s her story?” Bekah asked the director quietly.

The director sighed. “Her mother left an emotionally abusive long-term boyfriend who wasn’t Lisette’s father. She came to our shelter, and we kept her safe. One day, she disappeared. We haven’t seen her since. The boyfriend had made threats against both of them, so for now, we’re letting Lisette stay here. She won’t be able to stay forever, but until we have a better handle on what’s happening with her mother and the boyfriend, we’re keeping her safe.”

Bekah nodded. “Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help.”

A few minutes later, they were back in the car heading for the palace.

Josiah turned to Bekah. “What made you ask about Lisette?”

She told him about the story with the prince and princess and the mean man and how the teacher who’d been with her at the time just shook her head. When she hadn’t been able to determine how to interpret that, she decided to ask when the opportunity arose.

“What kind of help are you thinking?”

Bekah shrugged. “I have no idea. I don’t know what kind of help they might need.”

It was a bit different to offer help as a member of the royal family, but Bekah didn’t know that. He probably should talk to her about that, but this wasn’t the time.

“If we can help, we will,” he promised her.

“Thank you.”

The car pulled to a stop under the portico and a member of the staff opened Josiah’s door. He exited and thanked the man as he turned to help Bekah to her feet. He continued to hold her hand as they walked inside and up to the apartment.

Inside, he tugged on her hand and pulled her to him, wrapping an arm around her shoulder in a side hug. Bekah’s arm wrapped around his waist as she leaned her head against his shoulder. “You did great tonight. It was a good first outing for you.” Before he could stop himself, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be.” She leaned a little more heavily against him. “Is it always like that?”

“Unfortunately, no. That was an easy one. Sometimes they’re full of adults who are snippy or always try to one-up you or make you look bad.” He rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “Fortunately, since I’m not a full-time working royal, I get to be a lot pickier most of the time. I only come home for very important ones or ones that are important to me. I don’t have to do ones I don’t want to most of the time.”

“That seems like the best of both worlds.” Her other arm came up, and she shifted to move in front of him, her head resting more fully on his chest.

Josiah wrapped his other arm around her, holding her close for the first time. Something felt right, felt comfortable, in a way he wouldn’t have expected.

They stood there for several long moments.

Bekah sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. “I’m exhausted and ready for bed.”

He kissed her head again, glancing at the new couch as he did. “Get some sleep. I’ll stay out here.”

She shook her head against him. “No. Don’t do that. I’m starting to get used to having you there. That couch is a lot more comfortable than the old one, but it’s not like sleeping in a bed.”

After a few seconds of contemplation, he nodded. “Okay.”

With a quick squeeze, she let him go. “That was nice. Thank you.”

“For what?”

Her back was to him, but he could still hear her words. “A hug. I’ve always been a words of affirmation and physical touch person. Hugs are my love language.” The door to the closet closed behind her.

“Good to know,” he said softly to himself. He’d have to hug her more often.

The warm, fuzzy feeling he’d had when he held her in his arms was something he wanted to experience again.

He unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it over the chair as he untucked his white undershirt. In the kitchenette, he made himself a sandwich. He’d developed a taste for mustard while in the States. It wasn’t something his aunt would have allowed in a royal household. Not plain yellow mustard anyway.

As he ate, a bit of lettuce fell out of his sandwich and onto his shirt. He finished eating before heading for the bedroom pulling his shirt off as he did.

A quick shower later, he dressed in pajamas and went to bed.