“Quite real,” Allegra murmured.
“Getting more real by the moment,” Everson replied thickly.
Allegra released a girlish giggle. Everson smiled, but he was somewhat bemused. Technically, this was their first date, and even though he had managed his expectations, Everson still felt a certain amount of pressure to make a good impression. Allegra was nothing less than a relief. Her childish wonder, her enthusiasm that sought to neither flatter nor conceal, her entire presence was reassuring to Everson in spite of the fact that they had, for all intents and purposes, just met. He had never spent much time discovering his true self, but the prince now imagined that this invigorating young woman could inspire him to do just that.
“So…” Allegra said, beaming. “How does it feel to be in an arran
