Page 46 of Marrying a Prince

That had to be hard. Harder than her sad, little life back home. Sure, she didn't have a boyfriend or a husband, but at least she felt needed. She had a place to call home. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Leo leaned closer to her. She could smell his remaining cologne as the evening air picked it up and surrounded her with it. She couldn't help but breathe it in. It smelled like Leo, and she liked it. It was something she was getting more and more used to.

And it was something she was pretty sure she was going to miss when she left this place.

"What did you say?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," she repeated.

He slowed, glancing down at her. "You're sorry? For what?" His gaze met hers, and the intensity took her breath away.

"For the fact that you don't feel supported. It has to be hard."

He studied her, then reached up and brushed his knuckles against her cheek. The feeling sent shivers across her skin. She wanted to close her eyes and take in every moment she shared with him. To memorize the feeling of him next to her. Because when she left, there was going to be a Leo-sized hole in her heart.

"Thank you," he said; his voice had deepened.

She raised her eyebrows.

He smiled. "For coming out with me. Even though I'm with people all day, no one had ever felt like a friend until you came along. I needed this."

She reached up and grabbed his hand. After squeezing it, she stepped back. This was not good. Even though it felt like she was exactly where she needed to be, nothing good would come from getting close to him. They were both going to end up hurt. And she was pretty sure being dumped by a prince wasn't what she needed to bolster her confidence.

"I'm happy to do it. After all, that's what a friend would do." She dropped his hand and folded her arms, attempting to protect her heart.

She could feel his gaze. She wanted him to look away—fearful of what he might see if he lingered too long. Light drew their attention. Two bright headlights shone against the dark sky. They squinted as a truck came into view. It was old and the engine rattled in the quiet night air.

The truck slowed to a halt. An aged man with wrinkled skin poked his head out. He ran his gaze over the two of them. After saying something in Italian, Leo responded, waving down the road toward where they'd left his car.

The man turned, glancing in the direction that Leo motioned, and then replied.

"Grazie," Leo said as he lifted the suitcases into the bed of the truck and pulled open the door.

Marianna glanced over at him with a quizzical expression.

"This is Bernardo. He owns a small bed and breakfast in the next town. He's agreed to give us a ride. Isn't that fantastic?"

Marianna stared at the cab of the truck. Bernardo smiled back at her, his face illuminated by the small overhead light. He was wearing a conductor’s hat, and his weatherworn skin wrinkled around his eyes.

"Ciao, bella," he said, nodding in her direction.

Marianna nodded as Leo held out his hand to help her into the cab. Once she was seated, she scooted over until she was sandwiched next to Bernardo.

"My love," Leo said, getting in beside her.

Leo's words made her jump. She whipped her gaze over to him. She parted her lips, but he just gave her an encouraging smile and slammed the door.

"I was telling Bernardo how we are on our honeymoon and our car broke down," Leo finished.

Bernardo shifted the truck into first gear and started down the road. "It is sad story," Bernardo said in an accent so thick it was hard to understand.

"Thank you, Bernardo. Yes, very sad," Leo said.

"I happy I find two lovers and make better situation," Bernardo continued.

Marianna tried to keep the heat from her cheeks at Bernardo's description of them.Lovers. Butterflies erupted in her stomach.

"Bernardo is a romantic, no?" Leo said, smiling over at her. He winked, obviously enjoying this interchange.

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