Page 25 of Marrying a Prince

Her mom appeared in the room with his clothes folded and stacked into a pile.

"Really?" Was it bad that he wanted to stay here? That he felt more like a member of this family than he did his own. Things were easy here, and if he were honest with himself, going back to the hotel where his parents were was the last thing he wanted.

Marianna's eyes widened. He gave her a smile, hoping that she would see that he was enjoying himself.

Before either could speak, Filippo appeared in the doorway with his hand covering the microphone of his cell. "Your Highness," he said, nodding toward Leo.

"Yes?"

"Your mother." He walked across the room and handed the phone to Leo.

Leo tried not to sigh, but he couldn't help the frustration that grew in his gut. Of course his mother was checking up on him. He took it and stood, making his way over to the corner of the room.

"Hello?"

"Leo? Where are you? Why haven't you been answering your phone?"

Leo grabbed at his pocket but realized he was still wearing Mr. Hedely's clothes. His phone must have dropped out in the bathroom. But he wasn't going to tell his mother that he'd taken a shower here. Or that Marianna had seen him shirtless. "What do you need?"

She sputtered on the other end. "I—well, it's getting late, and I wanted to make sure you were headed back. The plane leaves early tomorrow morning."

Leo scrubbed his face and nodded. "Fine. We are leaving right now."

"Thank you."

Leo pulled the phone from his face but then heard his mother speak.

"Yes?" he asked, bringing the phone back.

"I just wanted to tell you to drive safe."

"We will."

Once he was sure his mother was done, he hit the end button and handed the phone over to Filippo, who slipped it into his coat pocket.

"Should we go?" Marianna asked.

Leo nodded, reaching out to shake Mr. Hedely's hand. "Thank you so much for having me here." And then he leaned forward and said under his breath, "And for understanding."

Mr. Hedely nodded. "Of course. We expect an invitation to the wedding once you have settled on a date."

Marianna's eyes widened, but Mr. Hedely just winked.

It took ten minutes to change his clothes, find his phone, carry all the food that Mrs. Hedely had packed out to the car, and say goodbye.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hedely pulled him into a hug and told him to protect their daughter. Leo agreed and watched as Marianna hugged her parents.

Back in the car, they waved as Filippo pulled out of the driveway and onto the main road. Leo settled back into his seat, peeking over at Marianna. She was watching out the window as her parents grew smaller.

She looked sad and her shoulders slumped. He reached out and rested his hand on her shoulder.

"It'll be okay," he said, enjoying the warmth that touching her brought him.

She glanced back at him and nodded. "They're silly, huh?" She asked, wiping at her cheek.

Even in the few short hours that he had spent with them, they'd already weaseled into his heart. "They are great. Do you get to see them a lot?"

She yawned and rested her head back. "Not as much as I would like. Dad hides it, but he's getting older. He had glaucoma and high blood pressure. It worries me, you know?" she said, turning to look at him.

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