Page 32 of The Prodigal Prince

“It’s time to get ready for sleep. Mama is tired, too.” A yawn punctuated her words.

“I don’t wanna, Mama!” His bottom lip stuck out. “I wanna stay up.”

Fiona remained firm and before he realized what was happening, a very tired Gray was sound asleep, once again holding his favorite bear.

Pulling the covers around him a bit more, Fiona leaned down to kiss the top of his head. “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. Good night, fair prince.” She said the blessing softly rather than risk waking him, but she’d done it virtually every night since he’d been born.

With the monitor in hand, Fiona went back to her own room. A text from Tinsley said the nanny had arrived, but went to her own room once she realized Fiona was with Gray.

Back in her room, Fiona found herself staring at the door leading to Mac’s apartment. This day - no, this trip - had been full of surprises, not the least of which might be the potential relationship with her son’s father.

She took a quick shower then settled under the warm covers, pulling them up to her chin. The warmth cocooned her, and in moments, she slept, dreaming of the next day and the date that could change the course of her life.

* * *

Had so much ever riddenon a single meal?

Mac didn’t think so. Not in his lifetime anyway.

Taking a deep breath, he tugged on the cuffs of the sleeves under his suit coat then knocked on the door.

The thirty seconds before Fiona opened it were some of the longest of Mac’s life. What if she didn’t answer? What if she’d changed her mind?

Before he could give up and walk away, the knob turned, the door opened, and Fiona stood there with a cautious look on her face.

“I wondered if you’d stand me up,” she admitted.

“Why would you think that?” He extended his elbow for her to slip her hand inside.

“Because I hadn’t heard from you all day.”

They started down the wide hall. “I spent most of my day in meetings. Another thing I’m happy I was able to avoid the last few years.”

“Working on the Games things?”

Mac guided them around a corner and started down a small, nearly-hidden, staircase. “Some of them. Other things took up most of the day.” So many things needed to be updated after he’d been gone so long.

“Did you have a chance to talk to your sister?”

He shook his head. “I did, but not for long, and not about anything overly important.”

Holding open the door that led to the terrace, they left the building. Outside a table had been set in an alcove that gave them the best of both worlds - protection from wind and sun but clear visibility to the city and the ocean beyond. He held her chair as she took a seat.

As soon as they were both seated, staff members appeared and set their first course in front of them.

They ate in near silence for a few minutes, only exclaiming about how delicious the food was.

For the rest of the meal, Mac was careful to keep things light-hearted. No deep questions. No discussion of the events of the last few days - or the last few years. He regaled her with a few stories about growing up in a palace.

It wasn’t until the main course had been taken away and Mac motioned to the server their intention to wait on dessert for a while.

The look on Fiona’s face told him she liked the idea. She’d eaten way too much of the main course, too.

“We have some things to talk about.” Mac stood and walked to the balustrade before turning to rest against it backward.

Her acknowledgment came in the form of a single nod.

“Are you interested in trying to find out if there’s something more between us?”

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