Page 65 of King of Lies

“We’re in Europe, not the wilds of Africa.”

“You never know!”

We wipe up our faces and pick up the mess we made before making our way down the hall to the kitchens. We’re trying to be covert, but I fear the giggling gives us away. Not to mention I’m being trailed by Leo.

Two different pizzas are waiting for us in the kitchen and I look around and wonder who read our minds.

“I figured I’d order the Princess’s favorite when I heard talk of pizza. One of the other guards went and picked it up,” Leo says.

“Leo, I believe you are a prince among men,” I tell him, making him blush. “At least say you’ll eat with us.”

“I shouldn’t,” he says.

“Well, tonight is all about things we shouldn’t do, isn’t it, Dahlia?”

She laughs. “Yes.”

“I’ll just eat a piece over by the door,” he says, and I know that’s as good as it’s going to get.

Dahlia grabs plates and we pile them with slices of each. Hers has mushrooms and sausage and the other has a variety of meats on it. We sit at the small worktable and gab and laugh while we eat, and it’s the first time without Rhys here that I feel welcomed and not alone. It’s like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

When we’re done, we clean up the trash and I wash the dishes, leaving them to dry on a towel by the sink. Our off-schedule dinner shouldn’t add more work for the kitchen staff. Leo smiles and shakes his head at me like I’m both crazy and adorable. Whatever.

He trails us as we walk back down the halls through the residential area. Dahlia pulls me in for a hug which I return gladly.

“Thank you for … well everything,” she says.

“Thank you,” I tell her. “I was feeling a little homesick myself. Girls night was just what I needed.”

“Girls night,” she says, trying out the words. “I like that.”

“Then let’s make it a regular thing,” I suggest.

“I’d like that. Goodnight, Stella.”

“Goodnight, Dahlia.”

And then she’s gone. Off, down the hall, to her own rooms.

“That was a good thing you did tonight, Miss,” Leo says quietly from behind me.

“Nah, anyone would have done it.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Miss,” he says. “No one here would have done it. Only you.”

I don’t have a response to that, which is fine because I don’t think I can find my voice if I try. Instead, I just nod my head and turn toward my own set of rooms. The walk is short and when we reach my door, I turn to Leo and tell him, “I’m in for the night, I promise. You can head out and be done with me.”

“I’ll just see you to the door,” he says.

“All right.”

I push open the door and step inside.

“Goodnight, Miss.”

“Goodnight, Leo. And, thank you. For everything.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he says.