“Damn, it’s not easy to impress a princess.”

“You’ve done an okay job so far.” Waiting for a car to pass, they stepped off the curb and crossed the street. “Well, at least I’ve checked get drunk and dance on tables off my list.”

“I didn’t see you dance on any tables.”

“It’s just an expression.”

“Not in Calamity, it’s not. We take that shit seriously. What else’ve you got on that list? We live under the same roof, so I want to be prepared.”

“You’re safe with me.”

“Not so sure about that.” He rubbed the back of his head. “Still raw where you about snatched me bald last night.”

As they reached the sidewalk, she burst out laughing. “Would you stop? If I’m not getting drunk anymore, you don’t need to worry about me messing up your hair ever again.”

“Shame. That was kind of fun.”

“Yeah, that tube of bologna sitting on my leg gave me that impression.”

“Tube of bologna?” He threw his head back and laughed.

Joy bubbled through her. To make Brodie laugh…God, it felt good.

“Man, you’ve been hanging out with Sky way too much.”

“No, that came from my college roommate. As for my list, I don’t have anything specific. I’m on borrowed time, and I want to do all the things I’ve never been able to do because of who I am.”

“Get it out of your system, because soon as you get home, you’re going right back into the role of dutiful princess?”

“That’s right.”

“But you’re not marrying the douchenozzle, are you?”

“Uh, after that kiss last night…that’s a hard no.” She slapped a hand over her mouth and tipped her head back. “Shut up, Rosalina.”

He pulled her hand away. “Your honesty’s one of the best things about you.”

“Well, sure. Because it feeds that gigantic ego of yours.” They stopped in front of a brick storefront. Ivy climbed the walls, arching around the plate glass windows. A pale pink and gold sign said, Pretty in Pink. “This is the place.”

He stepped forward and held the door open for her. He stood so close that as she walked past him, her shoulder brushed his chest. She glanced at him to apologize but found she couldn’t look away. He’d shaved that morning, yet already had a shadow of a beard. She loved the dimples bracketing his mouth.

That mouth. Her gaze dropped to his full, sensuous lips, and the memory of the way they’d tasted slammed her.

“You looking for trouble, princess?”

“I think I already found it.” She pushed past him and went inside.