Page 28 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

His sister could see how easily he was falling for her. It made him nervous. Was he being a fool again?

Suddenly, her message didn’t seem too important. He was haunted by visions of how she might respond. Perhaps she would dismiss him as being ridiculous. That they weren’t serious. Or that she was texting a dozen other men.

His heart thudded against his ribs as he settled on the edge of the bed. He squeezed his eyes closed as he tried to drive his deepest fears from his mind.

With a long exhale, he turned on his phone, his heart immediately calming upon seeing her message.A one-woman man, are you? I like it!

He typed back a response.I’m turning in for the night. But I’ll leave you with this thought…I can’t wait for our date tomorrow.

Her message came back quickly as he unbuttoned his shirt.I can’t either. Good night. See you tomorrow xoxo

The sweet ending to the message sent his heart soaring. He fell asleep with a smile on his face.

He found himself still smiling as the morning light streamed through his window. He leapt from his bed, eager to start the day. His mind drifted to the upcoming date.

He floated through his day, planning conversation topics, routes for a walk afterward, and the perfect location for their next kiss. It kept a smile on his face for almost the entire day.

After work, he raced home, changing into something more comfortable while his mind danced with plans and possibilities. He envisioned laughter, shared glances, subtle touches. He grabbed her gift, and hurried down the stairs.

But as he descended the stairs, the sight of his waiting parents was a cold splash of reality, turning his carefully laid plans into a jigsaw puzzle. His footsteps slowed, the smile sliding from his features. “Hey.”

“Hi,” his mother said as she studied him. “Going out?”

“Yeah, just a few errands.”

“Errands keeping you from dinner?” His father took a sip of his scotch. “We missed you at breakfast, too.”

“Yeah, sorry. I’m…really busy.”

“Are you?” his father asked.

Nate tried to keep his temper controlled, though his agitation built. “Yeah.”

His mother cupped his face with a hand. “Well, if you’re just running errands, could you be a sweetheart and take your sister with you? She’s dying to get out of the house for a little while.”

“What?” he asked, his forehead creasing. “No! I can’t take Maddie.”

“Why?” His father shrugged. “Some place you’re going where you can’t take your sister?”

“Of course not,” Nate answered as Maddie appeared at the doorway to the living room.

“I don’t have to go–”

“It’s fine, Maddie,” his father said. “Nate’s happy to take you.”

Nate slid his eyes closed as his perfectly planned date slipped through his fingers, his heart a tumult of emotions, as he nodded. “Yes, of course,” he lied, his smile forced.

He motioned to the door, and she preceded him outside. “Nate, I’m super sorry,” she said with a wince.

As they stepped into the evening air, the uncertainty of Ellie’s reception to this unplanned change hung over him like a dark cloud. “It’s fine. I just…I’ll tell Ellie I can’t make it.”

“No,” she whined as she slid into his passenger seat. “Just drop me off at the library and go on your date.”

“I’m not doing that. Besides, Mom and Dad will probably call me to check in and if you’re not there, they’re going to know I ditched you. I just…I have to figure something out.” His mind stretched to find a solution. Bringing his sister along on a date wasn’t exactly what he’d planned. And with his former flame, Maddie’s presence would have resulted in a miserable night followed by a cold set of days following it. Even if he made it up to her with some fancy gift, she made it obvious she didn’t want to be bothered with Maddie.

She’d even referred to his kid sister once as the thorn in their side. Would Ellie feel the same way? Would this twist cast a dark shadow over the budding promise of their connection?

CHAPTER 7

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