Page 17 of The Prince

Daniel slid his hand down between them and squeezed her fingers in his own. “Well done. You make all the difference.”

Thad smiled and waved at the flashing cameras to their front. “Good thinking to assure them we have a plan to rebuild Torren.”

Through her teeth, she asked, “You sure we have a plan?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

Daniel and Melodia walked out hand in hand and moved to an upper balcony to wave to the press as they left. Many continued to take pictures.

Daniel murmured in her ear. “This is where my mother and father used to stand after their press conferences.

Her heart stuttered. She turned to him. His deep green eyes searched hers. “It feels important to stand here beside you. I don’t know what you do to me, but I’m struggling not to kiss you in front of all these unsuspecting reporters.”

“What!” Her gaze travelled over all the cameras still aimed in their direction. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Oh, I dare. If I thought you would let me, I’d be all over this idea.”

She looked down. “I’ve missed you.”

“And I you. When are you finished in Italy?”

“I have at least another month and then if I get offered a contract with a big designer it would be a fall thing, maybe until Christmas.”

“But you can come back, like this weekend.”

“I could. What are you saying?” Hope grew.

“I’m saying I want to see you. Much more. Things have been stressful but it’s more than that. I don’t like life when you aren’t in it.” He turned to her, most of the press were gone or climbing into their cars. “I’d like to see where this could go.”

She stepped closer to him. “I appreciated being able to plan with you, to work, to…say things.” She forced her next words to come out. “That means a lot to me, to do that.”

He studied her face, his eyes gentle, caring. “I am beginning to see that.” His hand cupped her cheek. “You have a beautiful mind, to go along with this stunning face.”

Her eyes filled with tears so quickly she couldn’t see him at all, her lips trembled and face squinched up. She turned from him before the ugliest cry they had ever seen surfaced. She gulped in deep sobs and waved her hand. The happy hurt that shook her came on so suddenly she didn’t know how to control her reaction.

“Whoa, Melodia. Whoa honey.” He followed her as they entered through the double doors, and she broke down.

He pulled her into his embrace, up against his chest and she cried out her relief. And then she cried of embarrassment. And she cried about years of stress. It just meant so much to her, his one small compliment. Had anyone ever praised her mind before? She felt ridiculous. But it didn’t matter, she allowed the relief of it to wash over her.

Daniel just ran a hand up and down her back while he held her. When her breathing calmed, he said, “I don’t know what this is all about, but that was sure a lot of sadness.”

His eyes held such a large amount of concern for her she almost started crying again. She shook her head. “When I feel up to it, I’d love to talk to you about it, but for now, just know these really are happy tears.”

He squinted one eye and doubted her. Every inch of his face spelled out doubt, but she would share with him her darkest fear, soon, just not now. She used a tissue to wipe her face and dry her eyes. “How did it go in there?”

“I think the papers are going to be favorable tomorrow. I think you bought us some time.”

Nico approached. “I heard your conference.” His face did not look as pleased as Melodia had hoped. “And I was surprised at your announcement.”

Thad approached. “She’s fine, Nico. She asked me first.”

“But we had talked about the initiative coming forward after we figure out the resort.”

“She has a better sense of timing and was totally correct to ease their fears now.”

Nico nodded. “I think I agree. And so I wanted to thank you. We were correct in convincing this knuckle brain to get you back here.”

They had to convince him?Her smile felt stretched and unnatural on her face.

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