Page 67 of Gotta Have Mistletoe

Finally, it looks wonderful.

“Let’s go live the rest of our lives,” Erik tells me, taking my hand.

“I would like nothing more.”

“Did you see how I pretended I needed to go to the bathroom?” Max asks, bouncing around.

“I did,” I tell him.

“I’m a great actor.” Max shrugs his shoulders in a manner that would come off as humbler if he weren’t also jutting out his chin and chest, as if a master painter might be behind one of the chairs making a portrait of him.

“You are,” I tell him.

Anders grins, and I notice he’s also clutching a Nintendo Switch.

“Did you communicate with Max?” I ask.

Anders nods.

“You didn’t tell me you were doing that, Anders!” Erik exclaims.

“I wasn’t certain if Max would sign on to the airport WiFi. I didn’t want to get your hopes up. Besides, I wanted you to have the grand gesture.” Anders winks at Max. “People like gestures.”

For some reason, Max giggles.

“I would have said yes regardless,” I tell Erik.

“So the ride with the paparazzi was unnecessary?” Erik asks.

“You rode with the paparazzi?!” Sven interrupts us.

“They were quite pleasant,” Erik assures Sven. “Astonished, but pleasant.”

Sven takes out his phone, and his eyes goggle. “It’s all over the internet!”

Erik shrugs. “Engagement photos.”

Bubbles explode in my heart, and I stare at Erik.

Erik, my future husband.

“Too soon?” Erik whispers.

I shake my head.

Maybe technically, people would say it’s too soon.

But there was something between us from the moment I saw him. Erik has been calling me his fiancé all week, and the only thing that felt wrong about it was that the words were a lie.

Erik and I both know that life can be short sometimes. When you see something good, you need to celebrate it.

Sven paces in front of us mournfully, his shoulders at a precarious angle. “You traveled with the paparazzi! I do apologize, Your Majesty. I take such pride in your security. I have failed you.”

Erik nudges Sven’s shoulder. “You’re an excellent bodyguard. The very best. All the other kings are jealous.”

“But my perfect record...”

“You’ve still never let anyoneintothe castle before.”