Taunting Callum (Big Sky Royal 3)

David’s wife.

“It’s wonderful to meet you,” Alice says, holding out her hand for mine. “Ellie’s spoken so fondly of you. I cook for the family when they travel. When I heard about this market, I just had to come and see it. This produce is simply divine.”

“I agree,” I say with a smile. “I had to come to get some fresh mint for our mojitos later.”

“For your girls’ evening,” Alice says. “Of course. Ellie asked me to make my bacon roly-polies for you to nibble on tonight, and I’m going to send some fresh strawberry ice cream with marinated strawberries on top for you ladies to enjoy.”

I blink at Alice, completely surprised.

“Wow,” I say at last. “That sounds incredible.”

“It will be,” David says, smiling at his wife. “Alice’s creations are out of this world.”

Callum shoves his hands into his pockets and grins at me in that way he did earlier today that made me want to climb him like a tree.

I seriously need to get my mind out of the gutter.

“Well, you’d better come eat it with us,” I say to Alice.

“Oh, I couldn’t do that. I don’t want to crash your party.”

“You’re not crashing,” I say. “You’re invited. And I am looking forward to chatting more later. I want to hear all about your wedding, and I can’t wait to eat that ice cream. I’d better finish up here so I can get home and chop this mint.”

“Don’t chop,” Alice says. “Tear it. The flavor will be better.”

“See? I’m learning from you already.”

She smiles brightly, and I immediately like Alice very much.

“Have a good evening, gentlemen,” I say with a nod and quickly walk away. I wander through the rest of the market, but my heart’s not in it anymore. I can’t get Callum and his sexy smile out of my head.

Damn him.

I’m not angry with him anymore. Not really. His apology was sincere, and I’m ready to move on.

But why do I have to run into him all the damn time? Forgetting about Callum Wakefield is hard enough on its own. Seeing him around town only makes it harder.

I sigh and admire some silver earrings, then decide to buy them for myself before heading home.

I’m excited to see my friends this evening. We don’t get together as often as we’d like. And tonight, we have Ellie back in town.

With a new friend to join us, as well.

It’ll be fun.* * *“I’ve never had anything this good in my mouth before,” Natasha says as she scoops another bite of strawberry ice cream past her lips.

“I know, right?” Monica agrees. “And these berries are amazing. What is on them?”

“I soaked them for about an hour in balsamic vinegar,” Alice replies and sips her third mojito. “This has been so much fun. Thank you for inviting me. I know it’s odd for the staff to hang out with the royals, Your Highness, so if this is inappropriate, please just let me know.”

“I invited you, too,” Ellie says with a laugh. “I think you know by now that we think of our employees as our friends. I’m so glad you came with me tonight. And when we’re not in an official setting, you can call me Ellie.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Alice says and then joins us when we laugh. “I mean, Ellie.”

My mind is a little fuzzy around the edges from too many mojitos and a lot of food. But I wouldn’t change a thing. This is my tribe. It’s taken a lot of years to get here, and I’m loving every minute of it.

“Aspen?” Ellie says.

“Hmm?”

“On a scale of one to passed out cold, how drunk are you?”

I snicker. “I’m a solid five. Leaning toward six.” I take a sip of my drink. “There we go, I’m a six.”

“Excellent. I have a request. A favor, if you will.”

I frown. “Anything for you, Ellie, you know that.”

She bites her lip. “It’s a big ask.”

“Consider it done,” I insist, curious now what Princess Eleanor could possibly need from me.

“Well, you know the annual hospital benefit that’s happening next weekend?” Ellie asks. “Our family has been invited because we donated some funds to the new imaging department.”

“Do you need help finding a dress?” I ask her and then purse my numb lips. “Willa has some stuff at Dress It Up. I’ll go with you. I need a few things anyway.”

“No, that’s not it,” Ellie says, shaking her head. “Are you going to the benefit?”

“I hadn’t planned on it.”

“We have an extra seat at our table, and I need you to go with Callum.”

I frown. “Why?”

“Because it’ll be fun. It’s not a date,” she hurries to assure me. “I just need you to go on a date with my brother.”

“But it’s not a date.”

“Not at all.”

I see Natasha and Monica exchange a look over their mojitos. Alice is busy scooping us more ice cream.