Page 6 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

“Please. You’re soaked and–”

“It’s quite warm outside, though. And if I take your blazer, I’ll need to return it, and–”

“Well, uh, we could meet. I could take you to dinner. As an apology.” The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them.

She cocked her head as she knitted her dark eyebrows. “You mean, allow you to take me to a place where you’d be around cutlery? I’m terrified to think of what may happen. You may filet me like a fish.”

The playful smile on her features brought a grin to his face. Any thoughts of a drink were replaced by the enchanting, warm feeling he got from her. But while his heart fluttered, his mind warned him.Don’t be too trusting. You’ve been burned.

But her playful banter was unexpectedly disarming.

“Well, uh, perhaps…a hot dog in the park. No silverware.” He grinned at her.

“A hot dog?” she asked. “You mean from one of those little carts with the fellows wearing the caps?”

He chuckled at her. “Yes, yes, that’s right.”

Her smile grew slightly as she nodded. “All right, then. If no cutlery is involved, I suppose I shall be quite safe. When?”

“Uh, how is this evening? Say five?” He recalled a peaceful spot where he’d often found solace in the last year. “The vendor near the fountain in Mariner’s Park. That’ll give you enough time to change and have no further need for my blazer.”

She adjusted it around her shoulders as she nodded. “All right. Oh, uh, what is your typical condiment of choice?”

“Mustard.” He furrowed his brow. “Why?”

“I shall search for a yellow shirt in case you spatter it all over me.”

He bit his lower lip as he held back another smile. “I see. You got me on that one.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist,” she said with a chuckle as she lifted a shoulder.

“I think I deserved it,” he answered. “Anyway, I will…I’ll see you later. And again, sorry…it’s been one of those days.”

“No problem. See you later,” she answered with a smile.

As she spun away, he reached for her, catching her elbow. “Oh, wait. What’s your name?”

She twisted to face him again, pausing for a moment before she said, “Ellie.”

“Ellie,” he repeated, the smile returning to his face. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. “I’m Nathan. Nate.”

She offered him a half-smile. “I will see you later, Nathan.”

He stared after her as she walked away, pushing her arms though his jacket sleeves. The grin refused to leave his face. He wondered if she’d come later. He hoped she would, despite his consternation.

His mind returned to the warning his thoughts had given him earlier.You’ve been burned.

But maybe this time he could be smarter. Maybe he could vet her in some way. Maybe…

His ringing phone tugged him back to reality as his mind wandered in the clouds. He pulled the device from his pocket and glanced at the screen where hisfather's name was emblazoned. He swiped to answer it as he left the coffee shop behind, no longer needing the buzz the coffee would have given him.

“I’m fine,” he answered.

“Just checking,” his father said. “You stopped answering your texts. I know this day is probably going to be tough–”

“I’m fine. Really. I’m fine.” The image of Ellie danced through his mind. “I’m…actually better than fine.”

“Really?” his father’s deep voice asked, questioning.

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