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“I couldn’t either,” she whispers as she smiles sheepishly. “Thank you for the burger and everything.”

She gets out of the car and right into the limo. As they drive away, I see her smiling at me with her hand on the window.

Out of curiosity, I follow them. Soon after, I pull into traffic and keep myself several cars back. They take the exit for the Hamptons, but I continue forward, letting them get away.

CHAPTER 12

Carina

As Reggie reaches the highway, I sink into the soft leather seat and let out a happy sigh.

Ryan Stirling.

I finally had a name for my prince, and I got to see his entire face. His chiseled cheekbones and bright blue eyes make him even hotter.

The street lamps make a steady stream of light enter the car. I’m curious how much further we have until Alex’s mansion, but I don’t want to ask. I don’t want to do anything that’ll make this feeling I have from being with Ryan go away.

It’s almost 1 am as we turn onto the long driveway. I wonder if Odessa is still awake, and I imagine us sitting up in bed talking about Ryan when I realize what a child I’m being.

I think back to my grandmother’s regrets about me for not going to school dances and parties. For my choosing to stay with her instead of doing things with people my age. And my heart aches.

Did I really miss that much? Would it have made any difference in my life? Would it have helped me? There were times tonight when I was with Ryan that I felt like such a child, and other times that I forgot he had more than ten years on me.

“Miss, Master Alex will be waiting for you in the study,” Reggie says.

I stifle my giggle over the way it reminds me of the game Clue. Only this would be the billionaire in the study with the ball gown. I practice what I’ll tell Alex about the date in my head.

As I enter the front door, I can see the glow of the fireplace burning. I follow it to find Alex looking out of a different set of windows towards the river.

For the first time, he’s not in a suit. Instead, he’s wearing a plaid pair of flannel pajama bottoms and a Who concert t-shirt. His hair is a little messed up, and for the first time I see an Alex who is more human than the suited man I’ve experienced. It’s a good look for him, one I have to admit I find very attractive.

I must still be high off the time I spent with Ryan to think that.

Alex walks over to me and lets out a low whistle.

“Had I seen you dressed like this earlier, I don’t think I would’ve let you go.”

“Why not?” I ask, looking at myself and trying to figure out what’s wrong.

“Because you’re so beautiful, I should lock you away and keep you for myself.”

Heat travels up into my cheeks, and I look away, hopeful he doesn’t notice.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“I forgot something. Wait right here, I’ll be right back,” he says.

I sat on the couch, took off my shoes, and gently rubbed my cramped toes.

Alex reappears with a steaming mug and hands it to me.

“It’s hot chocolate, just like my grandmother used to make. It’s the only real memory I have of her,” he says. “She passed away when I was really young.”

I carefully take a sip of the hot chocolate. It’s rich, with a deep flavor, and the perfect temperature.

“Did you make this?” I ask.

Alex kneels before me and slips his hands around my feet before resting them on his thighs.

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