Renna Rose Lancaster never searched for love.
She stumbled into it long before she was old enough to know what to call it.
It lived inside flower crowns that barely survived a minute on his head. Pebbles he slipped into her pockets because every tre...
“My heart is so full of you, I can hardly call it my own.”
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The car slowed against the kerb, tyres hissing on wet road. Daddy’s seatbelt snapped open before the engine had even properly sighed to a stop, his movements impatient. I rushed to get out before him, boots clicking sharp against pavement, satchel sliding against my hip.
From the driver’s mirror, Neil caught my gaze with that infuriating steadiness of his. His voice carried that gentle curl of France, honeyed and low.
“Courage, mademoiselle. Aujourd’hui, you begin your reign.” A beat, then softer, meant only for me: “Je suis là. Always. Wherever you need me.”
(Courage, miss. Today, you begin your reign. I am here. Always. Wherever you need me.)
My chest pinched at that.
If I could sneak you into the lecture hall, Neil, you’d clap the loudest when I finally learned how to breathe.
I let myself flash the quickest smile back at him, before Daddy’s shadow loomed, heavy hand pressing my back.
“Inside,” he ordered, voice brisk.
“I can—” My words tried to slip free, softer than air. “Daddy, I can go in on my own—”
“Nonsense,” he interrupted. “It’s your first day. I’ll ensure matters are properly arranged.”
Of course. Properly arranged. Always.
Mama’s window whirred down just enough to reveal her grin.
“You’ll be dazzling, baby,” she called out, wicked and singsong. “And if any of those freshers stare too long, you just tell them your Mum’s hotter than theirs.”
My lips twitched. “Mama…”
“No, no, don’t hush me. Listen.” She leaned, voice dropping into mock-conspiracy. “Remember last night’s chat? University’s not a convent buffet. It’s a whole bloody feast. Go taste everything. And I do mean everything. Boys included.”
Heat curled at my cheeks, but it wasn’t embarrassment.
It was thrill.
“Maybe I’ll sample the appetisers first,” I muttered back. “Every flavour.”
Her bark of laughter startled even Neil. “That’s my girl. Now go give your father palpitations.”
