Ruthless King

“It’s ancient. And it keeps losing my work. It’s also very slow.”

“You should buy a new one,” Ace stated.

“Ace!” Thea said.

“Maybe she doesn’t have the money for that,” Keir told Ace. “Right?”

“Um, well. Yes, I guess that’s true.” And kind of embarrassing to admit to these strangers.

Thea put her hand over her face. “Give me strength. Why don’t you go see if Gerald has any cookies?”

Ace punched the air and took off, running. Keir followed slowly behind.

“I am so sorry about that, Jilly,” Thea told her.

“Hey, no reason to apologize. They’re cute.”

“They’re crazy, impulsive, energetic, and the work of the devil. But I love them.”

She had to grin. “I can imagine.”

“Do you have any siblings?” Thea asked, coming to sit at the table with her with a sigh. The other woman looked a bit tired and pale.

“No, I don’t. I always wished for some but my mom couldn’t have any more children after me.”

Something that her father had loved to punish her mother for. He’d been fiercely disappointed that Jilly was a girl and that Mama couldn’t give him a boy.

Only a boy was of any use to Orlando Crane.

“I’m sorry,” Thea said.

“It is what it is.” She shrugged and put on a brave face. She’d often wondered if life would have been easier growing up if she’d had someone to share everything with.

“Jardin had to grab some stuff from Regent, so we came with him. We won’t be bothering you for long, though.”

“It’s no bother. Really, I needed a distraction before I threw this laptop across the courtyard.”

Thea smiled. “Glad I could be here to stop you from doing that.”

“Me too, since I can’t afford a new one.”

“What are you writing?” Thea asked.

“Um.” Jilly could feel her cheeks heating.

“You don’t have to tell me.”

“No, it’s all right. I’m writing a romance.”

“Ooh, I love romance. What sort?”

“It’s a contemporary, enemies-to-lovers reverse harem.”

“Reverse harems are my favorites,” Thea cried.

“Really? Me too!”

“Oh, I would love to read it.”