Page 12 of The King's Secret Baby

In the kitchen, I rush to start the coffeemaker and rummage through my sadly sparse fridge.Note to self: go grocery shopping.

But despite the poorly stocked fridge, I do manage to scrounge up the promised pastries and some fruit. By the time Luca emerges, looking unfairly put-together and handsome, I slide a cup of coffee and a plate across the counter to him.

“Breakfast is served,” I announce. “Nothing fancy, but it’ll have to do.”

“It’s perfect. Thank you.” He takes a quick sip of coffee before setting the mug down and pulling me into his arms. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

“What do you mean?” Since he’s considerably taller than me and we’re inches apart, I have to tilt my head back to look up at him.

He runs his thumb across my jaw. “Yesterday was special.”

“It was,” I agree. My heart flutters, then — just as quickly — sinks.

Because, for as special as our time together was, now it has to come to an end.

“Hey.” He lifts my chin. “You never showed me Bethesda Fountain. Meet me there today? At two?”

Though I want to say yes, I hesitate. I’ve already breached journalistic ethics by sleeping with him. On top of that, he’s a prince! Could we really have a future together, when our lives are so different?

I lick my lips, my heart winning. “I’ll see you there.”

“Perfect.” With one more kiss, he’s out the door, leaving me in an apartment that — for the first time since moving here — feels way too quiet.

I shake my head and let out a small, disbelieving laugh. Did I really just spend an incredible day and night with anactualprince? It feels surreal. Luca is charming, funny, down-to-earth… Not exactly what I expected from royalty. And the way he touched me, kissed me, made me feel…

The delicious memories ripple through me, making me sigh in delight.

Since it’s Saturday, I don’t need to go into work unless I choose to. Trying to distract myself, I tidy up the kitchen and living room, but my mind keeps straying back to Luca. I can’t believe I’m going to see him again in just a few hours.

Grabbing my phone, I call Millie’s number before I can second-guess myself. She picks up on the second ring.

“Hey, girl! How’s the hot-prince assignment going?” Her voice is playful and teasing.

“Um, it went well,” I say, suddenly feeling shy. “Really well, actually.”

“Ooh, do tell!” she demands. “I want all the juicy details!”

So, with a deep breath, I launch into the story, telling her about showing Luca around the city, our easy conversation and banter, the undeniable spark between us. I gloss over some of the steamier specifics when I get to last night, but Millie reads between the lines.

“Oh, my God, Hails!” she squeals. “You slept with him? A prince? This is unreal!”

“I know. I can’t quite believe it myself,” I admit, pacing across my living room. “But Millie, it was amazing.He’samazing. I felt so comfortable with him, like we really connected.”

“Aw, honey, I’m so happy for you!” Millie gushes. “Seriously, a fling with a prince? This is the kind of thing dreams are made of! Ooh, what if it turns into more than a fling? Can you imagine? My best friend, future queen!”

“Whoa, slow down,” I laugh, but I can’t ignore the little thrill that runs through me at her words. “It was one night, Mill. Well, one night and this afternoon. That’s it. I doubt it’ll turn into anything serious.”

“But you’re seeing him again today, right? He obviously likes you!” Millie points out gleefully. “Oh, Hails, what if this is the start of a real fairy-tale romance?”

I shake my head, smiling at her enthusiasm. “I don’t know about all that. Let’s not get carried away. Yeah, we’re meeting today, but… it’s just a fling, that’s all.”

Even as I say the words, though, I know I’m trying to convince myself as much as her. Because deep down, a tiny, secret part of me is hoping that maybe, just maybe, Luca and I could be more than a fleeting affair. That the connection I felt with him was real and meaningful.

I remember the soft look in his eyes last night, the way he held me close and traced patterns on my skin. The easy way we talked and laughed together. Is it crazy to think this could turn into something real?

Something… more?

No.

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