Page 143 of Rags to Royals

“Tell her that your grandfather just had a heart attack, and you need to get on a fucking planenowso you can start the hours-long flight to get to him,” Henry says, clearly beyond irritated.

I get it. I’m sure Iris is on his ass. Torin may be too. His entire objective is to get me home as soon as possible.

“Fine.”

“Don’t complicate this right now. For anyone,” he adds.

“Got it.” He means forhim, but also for my family and for Scarlett.

I do understand. But I don’t have to like it. Leaving like this feels like I’m leaving in the middle of a movie where I really want to know how the story ends, or the middle of a conversation that has a lot still unsaid.

Henry pulls right up by the door to the shop and Scarlett is already walking out of her office when I stride through the bay.

“Mariah texted,” she tells me. “I’m so sorry.”

She wraps her arms around my waist, and I gratefully hug her tightly. I pull in a deep breath, taking in the scent of her hair. I absorb the feel of her against me.

I would really love to have her on this flight with me, holding my hand. Walking into the palace with me where I have no idea what might be ahead.

“Is he okay?” she asks against my chest.

“I don’t know. I’m on my way to the airport. We’re leaving right away. I just stopped by to…”

Fuck, I can’t even say the word ‘goodbye’.

She pulls back. “I know,” she says. “You have to go.”

“I’m sorry this is all such a rush.” I know without asking that Henry has all of my stuff already packed up and in the car.

She frowns. “It’s not your fault, Cian. I understand.”

“I just…”

But I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to go. But Idowant to go. I need to get there. I have to be there. I need to see him again. I need to be there with my family. My grandmother. Torin. I’m sure he’s going to step up sooner than planned even if my grandfather pulls through.

Scarlett’s hand against my face pulls me back to the moment. I focus on her beautiful face. “Cian, I’m okay. I’m not upset that you have to leave. This is yourfamily. Ofcourse, you have to go. I’m fine. We’ll be fine.”

I nod. She will. Of course. She’s been more than fine without me for thirty-six years. She and Mariah and Ruby are amazing. They don’t really need me at all. I’m being ridiculous.

These arenotthe thoughts I want to take with me thousands of miles from here.

“Go,” she says softly. “You know where to find me now.” She gives me a little smile.

Fuck. I love her so much. But there’s not time to get into that either. I want to spend hours telling her how I feel, talking about the future, making plans.

Dammit.

Instead, I cup her face in my hands and kiss her, trying to pour everything I’m feeling into that.

She grips my shirt, kissing me back, and I tell myself I feel all of it coming from her too.

I let her go only when I sense that I’ve pushed Henry’s patience to the very edge.

I hold her gaze for a long moment, but neither of us says anything.

Then I turn and somehow walk out of her garage and get back in the car.

We’re halfway to Columbus when my phone pings with a text.

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