Page 54 of Hungry Hearts

Maia chuckles. “Yes, very boring, Ry-Ry.”

“How about Prince Ryder?” I puff out my chest.

Ruby does that adorable giggle thing again and squishes her nose. “If you’re a prince and I’m a princess we can get married.”

“Am I going to have to battle off your ward of suitors? Cause I’m totally up for the challenge.” I lift my arms and kiss each bicep.

“What’s a wart of suitors?”

Maia covers her grin with her hand and I do the same. This kid and her questions. It’s adorably cute.

“It means, as the beautiful Princess Ruby, you’re going to have all the princes in the world wanting your hand in marriage.”

“What if I only want to marry you?”

Fuck. This kid. How can someone so small and so young make me feel like the king of the world? Her innocence and unabashed questions tug at my heartstrings. I’ve never had conversations like the ones I have with her. Even though our dinner dates have consisted of me having more conversations with her than her mother, every time I’m with them, I fall for Maia a little more.

She made the most perfect little human who has already stolen a piece of my heart and I’m not the least bit scared about it. The fact that her mother has the other chunk of my heart does freak me out a bit.

A lot.

A whole fucking lot.

I’ve never given my heart to anyone. Hell, I’ve never given this much time to anyone before, other than the aces. Smitten isn’t big enough a word for how I feel for this dynamic duo.

“I’m yours, Princess Ruby Cube. I belong to you and your queen.”

I don’t miss Maia’s gasp or the way her cone freezes in front of her. Maybe I went too far, laid my cards on the table too soon. I don’t care.

“Does that mean you’ll come to my birthday party?”

“Ruby.” Maia whips her head around and puts a hand on Ruby’s shoulder. “We can talk about this later,” she says softly, but not soft enough.

I hear the tension in her voice. Maia doesn’t want me there. The band that tugged at my heart releases and I feel my insides drop to my gut. Six words and she’s crushed my soul, almost more than believing she was still married.

“Ry-Ry is my prince, so he has to come to my party.”

“Ruby.”

I’m hurt that Maia doesn’t want me there, but that’s a conversation for us to have in private. Part of me understands her hesitation. Introducing me to her family and friends will make whatever is happening between us more real. I get that she doesn’t want to confuse Ruby, but adults in her life should be able to handle her moving on.

Unless Maia isn’t ready to move on. If she’s only using me for sex and a temporary escape, I’ll never believe in relationships again. Not that I put much stock into them before. For others, sure. For me, not so much.

Exhibit A is a perfect example of why.

“Not sure if I can make it, Rubes. I’ll have to check my work schedule and get back to you.”

“Will you still get me a birthday present?”

“Ruby! That’s rude.”

I can’t help my laugh. “What kind of prince would I be if I didn’t get my princess a birthday present?”

Ruby beams at me and turns to her mother. “It’s not rude. Prince Ry-Ry wants to get me a present.”

Prince Ry-Ry. Can’t wait to tell the guys about that one. That is, if today doesn’t mark the end of Maia and me. It will all depend on her reasoning for keeping me away from Ruby’s party.

“What’s on your birthday list, Ruby Cube?”

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