Sage

I don’t care what my dad says about her being out of the running; I have to learn more about Everly. But I'm going to put her to a test first. She didn’t seem like she wanted to be at our initial meeting, but I need to make absolutely sure.

And I know just how to do it.

Instead of calling her and asking her out like a normal human being, I had my friend, Joey, call her to set up the date, pretending to be my assistant—which I don’t have. I had to cover my mouth so she didn’t hear me laughing when I sat next to him as they spoke.

Her tone was anything but excited. I can see my idea lying out exactly as I planned.

He said a car—not me—would pick her up at seven and take her where I would be waiting. I even went as far as to have him ask her to wear a pink skirt suit so she would fit in with the royal standards.

I questioned if she would even come. Something told me she was willing to go through with this formality for her mom, and that made me like her even more.

Tonight, I’m going to play the role my parents have groomed me for, but I swear this will be the last time. Once I make her my wife, I will be on my way to being king and making the changes I want to see. Especially the way we’re perceived in our country.

People look at us in a light that is so skewed it’s ridiculous. They have no idea just how much of an ass my father really is, and what he really thinks of them. If they did, they would stage a military coup and try to better this country on their own.

Joey donned a suit and drove my family’s Rolls-Royce to go pick up Everly. I wish I could be a fly on the wall so I could see her reaction.

I can only imagine the other girls I’ve met thinking they’ve died and gone to heaven being treated like that, but my guess is her chauffeur will more than annoy her. I hope Joey can play it off and not give himself away.

I wanted to be standing outside when they pulled up to the five-star restaurant, but Joey suggested I make her come to me to see if she plays along, or if we can get a rise out of her.

As I sit and wait for her arrival, I can’t stop the chuckle escaping my lips. I pray I can get it all out of my system before she gets here, so I don’t ruin anything.

“Your date, sir,” Joey announces as he enters the private ballroom we reserved.

It’s so over the top, but unfortunately, this isn’t my first time in this exact setting. Anytime my family dines at this restaurant, we’re seated in here and the term treated like royalty is the understatement of the year.

My parents and, shit, even my sister, always go along with it, but I hate every minute. I don’t need to occupy a huge room alone while the rest of the world waits for seats that are needlessly empty around us.

Everly walks in behind him, and my eyes widen at her outfit. I knew we were going over the top with our request, but I moved my pawn and damn, she came in with the move only my queen would make.

My vision lingers on her pink skirt that’s shorter than a normal formal outfit. Instead of a slim-fitting, button-up suit coat, she has on a brighter-pink sleeveless top that is form fitting, leaving a tasteful display of cleavage that makes my mouth water thinking of how her skin would taste.

My entire family would shit their pants, but I swear my interest piqued even more in her.

I stand and pull out her chair, welcoming her to join me, and shooing off Joey. Literally. With my hand like he’s a second-class citizen who isn’t allowed to be near us. She gives me a nasty glare but recovers her expression quickly.

“Thank you for the ride,” she says as Joey walks away.

He turns around and winks at her. Her surprised reaction almost makes me lose my cool.

Once I help push in her chair, I glance in Joey’s direction and have to cough to hide my laughter from the ludicrous face he’s giving me. Dickhead.

“So Everly,” I say in my most distinguished voice. “Thank you for joining me tonight. I wanted to get to know you a little better without our parents around. Please, tell me something about yourself.”

I wave to the staff who is standing in the corner of the room awaiting my every command. I made sure to talk to them before she got here and told them this meeting would be very formal, hoping they understood it to be my apology for my behavior. They’re used to it from my family, but I still have standards I want to uphold for who I am.

She turns her head, and I swear I catch her rolling her eyes at the same time. “I’ve already told you most of what there is to know. I’m a pretty simple person. I like who I am, and I’m excited to get on with the rest of my life.”

“If I choose you as my wife, I hope you understand that all that music nonsense you spoke of will have to stop.” I’m totally talking out of my ass, but I need to know if she’ll stand up for herself.

“I’m sorry. What do you mean?”

Her face turns red, and I’m glad the wait staff interrupts. “Steak, medium-rare for you, sir, and a salad for you ma’am.”

Everly stares at her salad that’s missing most of its ingredients and then over to my steak. She turns to the waiter, “Pardon me, but I didn’t order anything yet.”

“I took the liberty of ordering for us. I wasn’t sure how long I’d want to spend here with you, so I ordered the meal just in case. Eat up.” I motion to her salad as I slice my knife through the juicy meat. It smells amazing, and I can’t help but wonder what’s going on in that beautiful head of hers.

She clears her throat before motioning to the waiter again. “Excuse me. I’m sorry, but I’m a huge fan of the sea bass served here. Would you please rush an order, so I’m still keeping up my meal time with Prince Sage here?”

The waiter turns to me for confirmation. I nod my approval, having to bring my napkin up to cover the smirk I can’t hold back. She definitely passed that test. I want a wife who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I love that she took the opportunity to get what she wanted.

I take a few bites, not saying anything and seeing what it’s like to sit in silence with her. Surprisingly, it’s not awkward at all. She eats her salad and sips her drink, seemingly happier that I’m not talking.

“So tell me how bad you want to be my wife.” Now I’m totally messing with her. I know that was a ridiculous statement, but I couldn’t help myself.

She drops her head to her chest and shakes it back and forth while letting out a small laugh. “I’m sorry…but I can’t keep up this pretense any longer. The truth is, there is no part of me that wants to be your wife. I’m only here to please my mom. Deep down, I’m praying you don’t choose me.” She blows out a breath. “So now that my cards are out on the table, can we go on with our meal, and then you move on to your next candidate? I think we would both be happier in the long run.”

I nod, taking another bite and turning my attention toward the waiter who sets her sea bass in front of her. I can tell the admission has taken a huge weight off her shoulders as she picks up her fork to enjoy her dinner.

I try to watch her out of the corner of my eye. I’ve seen her from afar for so long, and I’m still pinching myself that she’s sitting next to me. The best part is that I was right. She is different.

Her admission has taken my breath away. I never thought I would find a wife I actually liked, let alone fell in love with. For years I’ve kept girls at arms length when it came to my emotions, but sitting here with her, I’m starting to feel things I’ve never felt before.

I’m happy.

Now I need to figure out how to change her mind about me. She obviously knows nothing about who I am. All she sees is the image my family portrays, and like me, she’s not a fan.

“Well, I appreciate your honesty. I guess we can at least enjoy the rest of our meal before you are dropped off.”

“I appreciate you understanding my feelings.”

My lips go thin. I more than understand, but I can’t tell her that now. I will. In my own time, I will tell her everything. I pray that she’ll want to be my wife one day. Not because she was forced to be, but because she truly wants to be.