“Sebastian probably has pest control,” Callum reminds me.
“Oh, of course. I guess I hadn’t thought of that.”
“It’s not something you typically need to worry about,” Callum replies. “I’d like to go for a run this evening, if you’re up for it, David.”
“Of course, sir,” David replies.
David has been Callum’s security for roughly two years. He’s young, in excellent shape, and can keep up with my athletic brother. If Callum wasn’t a prince, he likely would have played rugby professionally.
He’s very physically fit.
It’s one of the reasons he’s Britain’s most eligible bachelor.
Something I enjoy ribbing him about quite often.
Liam pulls up to Drips & Sips, and we walk in. It’s mid-afternoon now, so there aren’t many patrons inside, which makes me happy.
We approach the counter, and I smile when Aspen turns around and sees us.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” she says, smiling at both me and Callum.
“We’re in need of caffeine,” I inform her and then gesture to my brother. “I believe you’ve met my brother, Callum.”
Aspen opens her mouth to reply, but Callum shakes his head. “No, I don’t think we have.”
She blinks rapidly, and her smile immediately falls.
“What can I get for you?” she asks.
We order our iced coffees and some fresh cookies that Aspen just took out of the oven, then make our way to a table against the wall.
“You sit here,” Callum says, pulling out the chair for me. “I want to sit over here and enjoy the view.”
I sit, then turn around to see what he’s looking at.
Aspen.
“Don’t look at her like that,” I plead. “She’s my friend.”
Callum just waggles his eyebrows. “Challenge accepted, darling baby sister.”
I sigh in exasperation and turn to Liam. “Just shoot him. Go ahead, you have my permission. Make it a headshot so he doesn’t suffer too badly.”
Liam’s lips twitch in humor, but he doesn’t make a move to follow my command.
“Killjoy,” I mutter. “How long are you staying?”
“I haven’t decided. I might just hang out and go back to London with you for the state dinner next week.”
“Not if you’re going to be an arse to my friend.”
“I’m not an arse,” he says, his face showing fake insult. “I’m charming. I’m a rather interesting bloke, truth be told.”
“You’re ghastly,” I say, shaking my head, just as Aspen brings over our coffee and cookies. “Thank you, Aspen, these look delicious.”
“You’re welcome,” she says and pats me on the shoulder. “Just let me know if you need anything else.”
“I could use something,” Callum says before Aspen can turn and walk away. She sighs heavily and turns back to him. Her expression is not friendly.
“What?” she asks.
“I’d enjoy taking you out for dinner later. What do you say?”
She blinks and then taps her lips as if she’s thinking it over. “I believe it would be a cold day in hell before I ever went to dinner with the likes of you.”
She offers him a fake smile and then pats my shoulder again. “Ellie, you let me know if you need anything.”
And with that, she storms off, leaving my brother shell-shocked, and me giggling like crazy.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen before,” I say when I’ve caught my breath.
“Me either,” Callum mutters, scowling down at his coffee.
I pull my phone out of my Chanel bag and snap a photo of my pouting brother, then tuck it away again.
“Why on earth did you do that?”
“I’m documenting this momentous occasion,” I inform him. “My brother, the most eligible bachelor of Britain, was just told to bugger off by a beautiful woman.”
“You’re not kind, Eleanor,” he says.
I turn to Liam, who’s standing a few feet away with his focus on the door. “Am I unkind, Liam?”
“No, ma’am.”
“See? Liam thinks I’m kind.”
“He’s not your brother,” Callum points out.
“Thank God for that,” I whisper and take a bite of my cookie. We call these biscuits, but the Americans call them cookies.
No matter what you call them, they’re delicious.
Willa Hull comes into the shop with her son, Alex, and gives us a wave when she sees us. Willa is a good friend of Nina’s, and she came to London for Sebastian and Nina’s wedding.
She’s a wonderful businesswoman and has always been kind to me.
“You’re still in town,” Willa says when she approaches the table. “Alex, I’d like to introduce you to Princess Eleanor, and Prince Callum.”
The little boy’s eyes widen in surprise.
He looks up at his mother.
“Like, a real princess and prince?”
Willa nods, and Alex turns back to us and then bends in half, bowing for us.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highnesses.”
He’s added a fake accent to his charming welcome, making me laugh in delight.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Alex.”
“We’re just grabbing a treat before we pick Max up at the airport. He’s been in California all week.”
“My dad is pretty important,” Alex says with pride.