Page 44 of Waiting on You

He pulls a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and hands it to me.

“Thank you,” I say, confused—but delighted—thatsomeone has sent me my two favorite items.

I grab a ten-dollar bill from my purse, but the gentleman shakes his head.

“No can do. I was already tipped and told not to accept one from you.”

He nods once and then exits my office, leaving me with my ice cream, pickles, and a note.

After storing the goods in my mini fridge, I sit down and open the note.

Princess,

I look forward to dinner tonight. Here are a few essential items to help get you through your day.

XO,

Your Prince

My thoughts go back to our time in London, the night I got drunk…

“I wish you were my prince,” I murmur, tears sliding down my face as Nate tucks the blanket around me.

“I do too,” he whispers, swiping his thumb across my cheek to wipe the tears away as my eyes close. “Now, sleep, Princess. I’ve got you.”

“What’s wrong?” Ana asks, making me jump.

When I glance up, she’s blurry, and I realize I was tearing up at the memory.

“Nothing,” I say with a laugh, trying to play it off. “You know how it is. Pregnancy hormones are going to be the death of me.”

Ana nods in understanding and sits in the visitor seat across from me. “I get it, but generally, there’s a reason for crying.”

“I found Nate.”

Ana’s eyes bulge. “What? When?”

“Yesterday.”

“And I’m only now hearing about this? And only because I came to you! What the hell, Paige?”

“It was all so much,” I say with a sigh. “One minute, I was running late from my checkup, and the next, I was standing in the conference room, staring into his whiskey-colored eyes. For a second, I thought I was imagining shit.”

“I bet!” she exclaims. “How did he find you?”

“He always knew how to. He had my full name, and I told him I worked for Kingston. I just thought he’d respect my wishes when I told him what happened in London needed to stay in London.”

“Well, thank God he didn’t listen! So, he just showed up?”

“Not quite. He’s Nathan Bradford…with?—”

“Holy shit! Bradford Hotels!” Ana shrieks, bouncing in her seat. “They’re partnering with Kingston.”

“I know,” I say with a laugh.

“Of course you do.” She rolls her eyes. “Sorry, I’m just so excited. You found your baby daddy!” She eyes me skeptically. “Which has me wondering why you aren’t more excited.”

“I am,” I say with ahalf-smile.

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