Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

Cole nodded his head. “Ridiculous, huh?”

My eyes lowered to the floor. “I guess that’s how you felt when I let Aiden stay here, but I was trying to convince him to drop the suit. It was different.”

“Doesn’t matter. Hurt the same way.” Cole’s eyes softened. “You always want to help, Kaitlyn. That’s what you do.”

“What am I supposed to do this time? Let her ruin our friendship? Get her heart broken when she finds out Aiden is just using her?” I felt defeated by the whole thing. I couldn’t lose Mary Ellen to Aiden.

“S

he’s leaving tomorrow, right?” he asked.

“Yes. Tonight’s her last night.” My stomach kept flipping with nausea. Part of me wondered how much was the beginning of morning sickness. “I don’t know when I’ll see her again.”

“I’m sure you’ll come up with a way to make everybody happy. It’s one of your many talents.” He winked and stood, then hopped on one foot to the dresser. Another bulb needed changing. “Ryan and I are good. If you could convince your brother, you can convince anyone.”

It was ludicrous, but I did have one idea that would bring both my plans together. It would involve convincing Cole, calming rocky waters, and playing peacemaker.

“Cole, before you say ‘no,’ think about this. What if we have Mary Ellen and Aiden over for dinner tonight?”

He spun on his good heel then grimaced as his knee banged into the dresser. “Damn it.” He steadied himself to face me. “You can’t be serious. Aiden in our house?”

I nodded. “I know it will be awkward, but it’s a peace offering I can extend to Mary Ellen, and it’s one more chance we have to try to talk him out of the lawsuit. You’ve never had a civil conversation with him. Maybe you two could talk without throwing punches and come to a resolution.”

Cole shook his head. “Only you would come up with something like this.”

“I’ll do the cooking. I’ll take care of everything. We’ll do it after Grayson goes to bed so we don’t disrupt his routine. All you have to do is be nice and promise not to knock Aiden out.” I waited for an answer. The new lightbulbs might burn out before Cole answered.

Finally, he spoke. “All right.”

“All right?” I couldn’t believe it.

“Yes, but the minute he starts his asshole tricks, he’s out. Agreed? And I get to toss him out.”

I nodded. “Agreed.” I jumped from the bed ready to tackle Cole. I stopped short of the crutches and pecked him on the lips. “Ok, I’m going to go ask Mary Ellen right now. Thank you.” I ran out of the room.

“I think it looks fine.” Cole poked his head out of our bedroom door. He had just showered.

I crossed my eyes and stared at the patio table I had just set.

“I just want it to be perfect.” Not only was this a peace summit dinner, but also our first official dinner party as a couple. There was a lot riding on this dinner.

“Come here.” He motioned me toward the bedroom.

I nestled into his chest as his arm wrapped around my shoulder. Everything felt calmer and safer like this with Cole. I inhaled his aftershave.

“Thank you for trying to work something out for the Dunes, but I don’t want you to be disappointed tonight if Aiden shows his true colors.”

I looked at him. “You don’t think there’s anything redeeming about him do you?”

“Not a damn thing.” He closed the door behind him and walked onto the deck.

“I hope you’re wrong. Is Grayson asleep?” I asked.

“Yep. We read his new spaceship book three times.”

I smiled. I had picked it up for him at the library. “I’ll go kiss him goodnight before they get here.”

I walked down the hall. Suddenly, the walls felt like they were tilting. I reached out and grabbed for support.