Page 21 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

“Hello,” she said with another tentative grin.

His features pinched for a moment, and he flicked his gaze away from her, his jaw tightening.

Her stomach twisted; he didn’t seem happy to see her. Had their first date only been a game?

When he snapped his gaze back to her, closing the distance between them, she shifted her weight, wondering why he seemed so tense. “I’m…”

“I’m really glad to see you.” His strained voice along with his pinched features made her wonder how true those words were.

“You don’t look it,” she answered, laying a hand on his arm as he stared at the cobblestones beneath his feet.

“I am…I’m having a really rough day.”

“Oh, no.” She offered him a consoling glance. “I’m so sorry. Is thereanything I can do?”

“You’re doing it,” he answered as he offered her a sad smile. “That’s why I’m really glad to see you.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

He centered his blue eyes on her. “Is it okay if we don’t?”

“Of course. Whatever you’d like.”

He blew out a long breath, his jaw tightening again as he scrubbed his face. “Yeah, let’s…let’s not ruin our time together talking about something miserable. I’d much rather talk about happier things.”

She grinned at him. “Sure. Though you can tell me anything. But let’s talk about that last text you sent.”

The tension seemed to release in his shoulders as he glanced at her. “You mean about your surprise?”

“I do,” she said with a grin. “You’re rather a tease.”

“Oh, I’m a tease, am I?” Nate said, a chuckle escaping him. “Well, how is this for a tease?”

He dangled the bag in front of her. “This is your surprise.”

She reached for it, and he tugged it back playfully.

“Uh-uh,” he said with a wag of his finger, “this is for tomorrow.”

“Youarea tease.” She playfully tapped his chest.

He cocked his head, all traces of his tension disappearing. “Ah, but I’m a very impressive tease.”

“Oh, you think so, do you?”

He lifted his chin, arching an eyebrow at her. “I do.”

“Well, I suppose we will find out tomorrow.”

“Yes, we will.” He grinned at her for a moment before he asked, “So, what are you doing here?”

“Painting class. I’m doing a terrible job at creating art.”

“I doubt that,” he said. “Show me?”

“Sure,” she said as she slid her arm through his and led him down the path. “Feeling any better?”

“I’m feeling…so much better. You must be magic.”

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