Page 34 of Gotta Have Mistletoe

He smiles. “Is that why you left dinner early last night?”

“I left after the others,” I say, wondering if I did something wrong. I’ve tried hard to do things correctly. “Should I have...?”

But I guess I should have stayed.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I didn’t want you to have to make conversation with me.”

“I enjoy conversing with you.” He averts his gaze, and for some reason his cheeks are rosier than before. Maybe it’s the fireplace.

“How are people taking the engagement?” I ask.

“Better than I expected.”

“I’m glad. So bi, huh?”

King Erik looks down, staring at the melting whipped cream. “Yes. Not that I’ve ever...”

His eyes round, like he’s said too much.

I return my gaze to the fireplace. I’m not in the habit of forcing people to reveal things they have no interest in revealing.

“You were married a long time,” I say finally.

“Anders is sixteen, and we didn’t have a shotgun wedding.”

“I’m sorry your wife passed away.”

“I’m sorry your husband passed away.”

“Tell me about Christmas in Solberg.”

“It’s Christmas. I know it’s a pain...”

My eyes widen. “Christmas is never a pain.” I laugh. “You must be doing Christmas wrong.”

He moves back.

Oh, no.

I’m not supposed to tell a king that he’s doing things wrong. Olav would disapprove.

In the next moment though, the king laughs. It comes out more like a guffaw, and his eyes round.

I chuckle. “Reckon I’m not supposed to insult your Christmas habits.”

“That’s quite fine,” he assures me. “Just unexpected.”

“What do you say we go to the Christmas market?”

He stiffens. “I never go to the Christmas market.”

“It’s right at your doorstep.”

“Yes, but...” He frowns. “It’s not kingly.”

“How’s that?”

“Normal people visit the Christmas market. The types of people who have first and last names, and not titles and first names.”