Page 60 of Royal Catch

“I was not aware of that.”

“Oh, yeah, for sure.” She nods vigorously. “Though, to be perfectly honest, the bigger draw for the ladies is a royal bachelor auction. They can win a date with a prince!”

I suppress my horror. It sounds worse than the barbaric bridal games my mother concocted. And the princes must be my brothers. Who else would agree to it? Anna has won them all over.

“Ta-dah!” she exclaims. “That’s my next fundraising idea. You know we need to keep the ball rolling. We want to move forward with my day spa idea and natural cosmetics line.”

When she says we, she means the two of us. “We do. So…do my brothers know they’re going to be auctioned off?”

She scans the room for them, wiggling her fingers when she spots them gathered near the bar. She blows them a kiss before turning back to me. “Nope. They have no clue. I’m sure they’ll do it for me.”

“They will. They love you just like everyone in my family.”

She gives me a sweet smile and squeezes my arm. “The truth is, I think it’s the royal hottie who’ll draw the most bids. He’s got quite the internet following. It’s perfect!”

I glance over at poor unsuspecting Phillip, smiling and laughing without a care in the world as usual. Then I remember how he knew all about the bridal competition before it happened and didn’t say a word about it to warn me. In fact, when he finally showed his face, he seemed amused by the whole undignified ordeal thrust upon me.

I turn back to Anna. “You’re brilliant. Make sure I’m there when you tell him.”

Her brows furrow together. “Why? Do you think he’ll be upset?”

“He’ll be something.”

She slowly nods, likemessage received. “I’ll wait until the last possible minute.”

I can’t help my smile. “That sounds perfect.” Now that Anna’s here, things will never be stuffy and boring at the palace again.

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