Page 27 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

“Did you see her today?”

He grinned at her. “Yeah, I did. I saw her in the park. She was painting. And then…I just…Maddie, it’s really complicated, okay? And I needed some space.”

“What’s complicated? With Ellie? I thought you liked her?”

He pulled himself up to sit, balancing hiselbows on his knees. “It’s not complicated with Ellie. There are just…other things going on, okay? Between me and Stephen.”

“Are you fighting again?”

“No,” he said with a shake of his head. “Not like before, but…I just…Maddie, I can’t explain, okay?”

“What happened between you and Chloe?”

Nate’s jaw clenched as she mentioned her name. “It’s complicated.”

“I’m not a baby anymore, Nate. I’m fifteen. I’m almost an adult.”

“You’re too young to understand. Just…stuff happened between us that…it was bad, okay?”

“What?”

Nate slid his eyes closed as he recalled those horrible moments. “Chloe…didn’t like me for me. She liked me because I was a Kingsley.”

“You mean…because we’re rich?”

Nate nodded at her. “Yeah.”

“Oh. I mean, she must have liked something about you, though, right?”

He shook his head, his lips tightening. “Nope. She…cheated on me. Look, Maddie, I don’t want to talk about it.”

She frowned at him but shifted to pull him into a hug. “Okay. I love you, Nate. I just want you to be okay.”

He pulled her into a tight embrace. “I love you, too, Maddie. And I’m fine. I feel better than I ever felt.” He pulled back and cupped her face in his hands. “I’mnotdrinking. Okay? I’m fine.”

“Okay. Just…promise me you’ll tell me if you’re having trouble. Like, you don’t have to tell Mom or Dad, but tell me. I want to help you.”

He smiled at her. “I know you do. But I’m okay. Now, don’t you have homework to do?”

“School’s almost over. Although…can you help me with my final paper for biology?”

“Yep,” he answered with a nod. “Email it to me, I’ll take a look.”

She flung her arms around his neck with a grin. “Thanks, Nate!”

“You’re welcome. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed.”

“Bed or to text Ellie all night?” she asked.

“Out, Maddie.” He said in a firm, but soft tone as he poked a finger at the door.

“All right, all right. I’m going.” She scurried to the door, hesitating as she swung it open. “Hey, Nate?”

“Yeah?” he asked, his fingers brushing his phone as he waited to see if Ellie had texted him.

“Try not to wear out your thumbs. Save some charm for the actual date.”

He picked up a shoe and tossed it at her as she ducked into the hall and snapped the door shut behind her. With a shake of his head, he crossed to lock it.

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