Page 31 of The Prodigal Prince

“I know. I have to find the right moment, though. I can’t just spring it on her out of nowhere.”

They stayed there, quietly, for several more minutes.

Mac finally broke the silence. “There’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while.”

“What’s that?”

“Would you have dinner with me?”

Was that hesitation and even a bit of fear in his voice? Could he be afraid she’d turn him down?

Given their history, it wouldn’t be overly surprising.

Given the kiss they’d just shared and the chemistry that clearly still existed between them, there could only be one answer.

“I would like that.”

“Tomorrow night? We can go out or stay in, whichever you prefer. And if we stay in, we can sit on one of the balconies and look out over the water rather than some stuffy banquet hall somewhere.” His thumb rubbed her upper arm. “I think I’d rather enjoy that, but it’s up to you.”

She nodded against him. “That sounds lovely.”

His chuckle reverberated under her cheek. “Just don’t expect me to actually make dinner. I’ll pass that on to someone else. I can make enough to get by, but don’t expect it to have much actual flavor.”

Fiona laughed. “That’s fine. Let me know when to expect you, and I’ll be ready.” She moved away from him and sat on the edge of the seat. “But right now, I think I’m ready to find Gray and make sure he’s okay.”

Mac stood then held out a hand to help her, pulling her into his arms as she did.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his chest.

A week earlier, if you’d told her she’d feel safe and warm in his arms, Fiona would have said you were certifiably crazy.

But now, she couldn’t imagine anywhere else she’d rather be.

Another time.

“Come on,” he told her, letting her go, but taking her hand. “I’ll show you how to get to your quarters from here.”

He led her down a hallway and into a spacious bedroom that seemed to mirror her own. For a second, she wondered about his intentions, but he went straight to the counterpart of the unknown door in her room.

After flipping the lock, he stepped back. “It has to be unlocked from both sides. Your side already is, but I would never go through without you knowing about it. Only in the case of a dire emergency.”

It surprised Fiona that she believed him completely.

“Thank you.” She brushed a kiss against his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With the door closed behind her, Fiona walked to one of the window adorning the outside wall. Peeking out at the city and the water beyond, she took a deep breath.

“Well that wasn’t how I expected this to go,” she whispered to herself. “But I think I’m glad it did.”

A different door opened behind her.

She turned to see a streak headed toward her. “Mama!”

Laughing, Fiona swung him up into her arms. “Did you have fun, kiddo?”

“Yes, Mama!” He started chattering away about the girls and how they were nice, but didn’t seem to want to include him at first. Later, they did.

He continued to tell his stories as she walked to his room and set him on the bed.

---