Page 82 of Triumphant Kings

“I’m going to say, it’s been a while?”

“Yeah.” I sigh. “Looks like it.”

“I have some homework for you,” she says, leaning forward, placing her pen and paper on her lap to write something out.

“Oh, yay,” I say dryly, making her laugh more. “I love homework. Not like I get enough of it at school or anything.”

“This one will be fun.” She smiles, ripping the piece of paper off and handing it to me.

Taking it out of curiosity, I read it out loud and laugh. “Go out, have fun, party. Dress up, feel good about yourself, and leave all your worries at home for the night.”

I look up at her, a bit of excitement trickling back in. “Really?”

She shrugs. “Life is short, and we shouldn’t be spending all our time worried. I’m not telling you everything will just go away, but the world won’t stop spinning and crumble down around you if you have fun for a night. And if those men have an issue with it because they’re overprotective asses, tell them it’s the doctor's orders.”

“Okay.” I nod, folding the paper back up and slipping it into my purse. “I think I might just do that.”

“I highly suggest it,” she says as my stomach chooses to growl. She raises a brow, and my cheeks heat. “Have you eaten today?”

“Ahhh.”

“Sadie,” she says almost like a mother scolding a child.

“I know, I know!” I raise my hands. “Only because I had a bad headache from all the studying I did last night. It made me feel gross this morning.” The guys were not happy with me turning down breakfast. But after I promised that if they made me eat, I would puke it all back up, and not because of any other reason other than really feeling sick this morning, did they leave me alone. But I promised I’d be eating after my session.

“Do you still feel that way?”

“No.” I shake my head. “After some water and eyes away from devices and paper, I feel good. Well, I'm hungry now.”

“Collin!” she shouts, and I groan.

“Really? You're going to tell on me?”

She smiles and shakes her head.

The door opens the next second, and I glare over at my husband, who’s no doubt been standing near the door like some kind of bodyguard.

“Everything okay?” he asks, eyes on me.

“We’re done for the day. I have two things I want you to do for me,” she says, and Collin pulls his eyes off me, giving her his attention.

“Okay. What would that be?”

“First, take this young lady out to eat. Get her anything she wants. Don’t let her say no, it’s okay, or no, I’m fine. Buy her what she wants,” she says the last part with a stern voice, directing it towards me.

I roll my eyes, but smile.

“Done,” he says without hesitation. “And the other thing?”

“I’ve given Sadie some homework for this weekend. Don’t fight her on it.”

“Ahh, okay?” It’s his turn to look confused, eyes finding mine. I grin, give him a wink, and get to my feet.

“See you next Friday.” I wave goodbye and head out with Collin.

“Are you going to tell me what this homework is?” Collin asks as he pulls me into his arms as soon as we’re alone in the elevator.

“Nope.” I grin up at him, melting into his touch.