Page 26 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

“Did you gether surprise?”

He nodded as he picked up the bag and tossed it onto the bed next to her before he threw himself across it. “Check it out and see what you think.”

Maddie grinned at him as she dove into the bag and pulled out the carousel. She wound it and let it whirl around as she held it. “Aw, it’s so cute, Nate. Does she like merry-go-rounds?”

Nate nodded as he flicked his eyebrows up. “Yep. She loves them, and on our first date, we rode the one in the park. So, this works on two levels. Something she told me she lovesandsomething to remind her of our first date.”

Maddie bit her lower lip as she slid the gift back into the bag. “That’s so sweet. I bet she’ll love it. She’ll probably give you a big kiss.”

“I hope so,” he said with a chuckle as he slid the bag away from them. His phone chimed again, and he checked it.Are you saying you’re not texting dozens of other girls?

“What’s she saying?” Maddie asked as she lifted her chin to peer at his screen.

Nate tugged it back to his chest. “Hey, that’s private.”

“But I want to see.”

“You don’t like it when Mom and Dad want to see your phone.”

She slumped her shoulders as she rolled her eyes. “Fine. I won’t look.”

She flopped back on the bed with a sigh as Nate typed a response.I am not, I promise. I know it sounds corny, but I really want you to know you’re the only woman I’m texting.

“Done?” Maddie asked, flicking her blue eyes to him.

“For now.”

She pulled herself up to sit, wrapping her arms around her knees as she chewed her lower lip. “Hey, Nate, can I ask you something?”

“Absolutely. What’s up?”

She slid a lock of hair behind her ear, still gnawing on her lower lip.

“Maddie, what is it? Is something going on with you?”

She shook her head, shooting him a sideways glance filled with worry. He knitted his brow. “What’s up, Mad?”

“Please don’t get mad at me, okay?” Her voice was hesitant.

He rubbed her forearm. “I won’t get mad.”

She licked her lips before she set her chin on her knees. “Nate, are you drinking again?”

The question stung him. His sister had seen him drunk more than once, and he’d regretted that. It had frightened her even though he hadn’t been violent toward her.

“No, Maddie, I’m not.”

She sucked in a shaky breath as she nodded.

He gently grasped her chin between his thumb and forefinger and twisted her to face him. “Maddie, I promise I’m not.”

“Okay. I’m sorry, I just…”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

“It’s just that I overheard Mom and Dad talking, and they said you were like disappearing and stuff again and I just…I didn’t want you to be doing that again. You weren’t yourself when you were drinking.”

“I know,” he said. “But I’m not. You know where I’m going. I’m going to see Ellie.”

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