Page 41 of Royal Trouble

Talk about a head trip. All she wanted out of life was to see her name on the cover of a book.

“Miss Wilson.”

The butler’s subtle admonishment had her picking up the pace.

Right. She wasn’t here for anArchitectural Digestreview. Technically speaking, she wasn’t sure why Xander had invited her to the palace, but whatever the reason, it was big. She could feel it in her bones. Whatever he wanted to show her, it was the story she needed to secure her position atOn Point.

Good thing, too, because Larson had sent her a note just last night reminding her that the clock was ticking and he had other, more qualified applicants. Like she’d needed a reminder. She was well aware that time was running out. The royal wedding was approaching quickly, and the excitement in Valeria had reached a near fever pitch. Every time she turned on the television, the talk shows were speculating about Elena’s dress, the flavor of the cake, or whether the heir would forego the tradition of a stag night prior to the wedding.

It was exhausting. Exhausting and endless.

Except it wasn’t endless. The wedding was in two and a half weeks, and if she didn’t get her story by then, she’d be screwed. No job. No bonus. And only a crapload of unpaid medical bills to show for her efforts. She needed to get the story today. And this time she wouldn’t let a weak stomach come between her and the headline.

Everly groaned internally. She still couldn’t believe she’d thrown up on the prince’s shoes. Why the hell hadn’t she leaned overboard like a normal person?

Karma, that’s why.

It had all happened so fast. There hadn’t been time to do, well, anything.

Never in her life had she vomited on another human being, and of course her first time had to be a freaking royal.

A hot one, nonetheless.

But Xander’s gentle touch as he’d cared for her on the boat… He’d been downright nurturing, staying by her side for the return trip, holding her close and rubbing her back as he told stories of his childhood mischief.

It had been…unexpected.

A little voice in the back of her head whispered that maybe the prince wasn’t the arrogant ass she imagined, but she shut it down immediately.

It didn’t matter. She needed to stay focused on the goal.

Last time she checked, blistering chemistry wouldn’t pay the bills. She needed to get her raging hormones under control, because this was one battle her brain was going to win.

For her mom.

The sharp staccato of heels on stone sliced through her thoughts, and she looked up just in time to see Lotte narrow her eyes in suspicion and cross the cavernous hall to block the butler’s way.

Great. Just what she needed, another run-in with the meddling princess wannabe.

“Lady Dupont,” the butler said, dipping his head in a show of respect.

Lotte ignored him, focusing her attention on Everly. And was it her imagination or was color rising in the other woman’s cheeks?

“Everly. What a surprise,” she said, a vicious smile spreading across her perfectly glossed lips. “Interviewing for a position with the household staff? How fitting.”

And thoroughly unoriginal.

Everly rolled her eyes. She was not going to let Lotte get under her skin today.

They weren’t in high school anymore, and she didn’t give a damn what Lotte or any of the other courtiers thought of her now. They didn’t matter. Only the story mattered, and once she got it, she’d put this miserable world behind her once and for all.

Still, she could try to be the bigger person.

“Don’t you think it’s time we put the past behind us?” Everly asked. “This feud is getting rather tedious.”

Lotte pursed her lips in disdain, clearly recalling the incident that had put them on this path ten years ago. They’d been at a party, and Everly had been fleeing a couple of guys who’d propositioned her, suggesting she follow in her mother’s footsteps by shagging them in the pool house. In her haste to get away, she hadn’t been looking where she was going. She’d crashed into Lotte and sent the other girl ass over elbow into the pool, ruining her dress and making her the laughingstock of the night. Everly had apologized—it had been an accident—but Lotte hadn’t believed her, and she sure as hell hadn’t forgiven her, especially after the incident had gone viral.

“The only thing that’s tedious is your presence.” Lotte looked her over from head to toe. “You don’t belong here. And you never will,” she finished, echoing the scathing words she’d hurled at Everly that night so long ago.