Chapter 10

10

ADRIAN

It's early when we leave Zye's shop, and I hope to spend time with Isaac. And Simon. See if he enjoyed dinner the night before. But Isaac shuts down those ideas rather quickly.

"This has been a lot to process. I need time. Time with my son." He smiles, although it looks a little sad. He threads our fingers together. "Thank you, Adrian. You've been amazing."

All this is because of me. How can I make it better? Erase the fear in Isaac's eyes? Reginald is waiting in the car. "I really want to kiss you right now."

His eyes light up, which feels like a yes. Until he glances around the car park. The Chinese restaurant has several vehicles in front of it. "Not really a good idea."

I nod toward the SUV. "Indulge me, for a moment?"

He nods. "Sure, okay."

I squeeze his hand and lead him to where Reginald is parked. We climb into the SUV and I ask Reginald to give us a moment. Once the privacy divider is in place, I take his hands, rubbing my thumbs over his knuckles. "Isaac, sweetheart, tell me your greatest fear."

He bows his head, and his hands tighten in mine as he seems to consider my question. "Bats."

I laugh. "Bats?"

"I've got nothing against them. But have you ever seen one for real? They zip around—and yes, they're probably terrified—but it's almost like they're dive-bombing you. One got in our house and Simon freaked out. He wouldn't sleep by himself for a week."

"Noted. No bats."

Some of the tension leaves his face. "I thought we were here to make out."

"I'm a huge fan of making out." I cup the side of his cheek. "But I also want to help."

"You are." He covers my hand. "I don't know what I'm most afraid of, honestly," he says, pointing to his head. "All these fears are in here just spinning around and taking over."

"We don't have to talk about it."

He shifts in his seat, stretching his legs, and I really appreciate the amount of room in the luxury vehicle.

"She's done this—something like this—before." Isaac's voice is low, and I lean in to hear his words. "She posted in the Higgins County community group that I was keeping her from her son. She twisted everything to fit her version of the story."

"That's awful."

"The worst part is she gave them my full name. And Simon's. Told them what daycare he went to. The type of car I drive. I have her blocked, but Macy showed me screenshots. There were voices of reason in the group, reminding everyone they didn't know the circumstances, but it's easy to get people riled up. They believed what they wanted to believe."

The pain in his eyes, the fear, breaks my heart. I want to hold and comfort him, but more than that, I want to fix everything for him. Not that I can. Not that he'd let me. From what I've seen, Isaac is fiercely independent.

"The group moderators took it down, but there was one guy—it's not hard to find information these days. He showed up at the wedding shop, but I wasn't there. Zye talked to him."

I cover my mouth. I don't know Zye well, but I can imagine how that conversation went. "What did she hope to gain?"

He shrugs and gives me his crooked smile I'm becoming quite fond of. "I'd moved and refused to give her our new address. I think she was at a very low point."

"I'm so sorry that happened." I cradle his cheek and kiss his temple, breathing in the scent of his coconut shampoo.

He leans against me. "The person I married, the one I knew and loved. And trusted—this isn't her." His words are thick with emotion, and he sniffs back his tears. "It's the drugs. I get that. But I'm so angry and brokenhearted for myself and my son. Things would get better. She would get better, and then we'd be right back at the same point. I honestly don't know what she'll do next. What lengths she'll go to. That—" He sighs. "That's my greatest fear."

I pull him into a hug, and he wraps his arms around me. We hold each other for a while, and I thread my fingers in his hair, trying to soothe him as best I can.

After a few moments, Isaac pulls away. I hand him a tissue—this car has everything—and he smiles gratefully and wipes his eyes.

"It's only fair I share my greatest fear." I wait, giving him a chance to say something. What if he doesn't want to know?

He hesitates and then says, "Disappointing everyone?"

How does he do that? See right through me. "Disappointing you."

Reginald has the air conditioning on, so the car is cool. But my face feels hot. He brushes the hair back from my face and traces my eyebrow with his thumb. "We barely know each other, Adrian. What are we doing?"

I smile, relieved that he's including himself. That he doesn't think I'm mad for being in so deep so quickly. "I was hoping you'd know."

He laughs. "This is so unlike me."

"Believe it or not—this is all new for me as well." I take his hand and kiss his fingers. "We should talk about this. About us. But it feels fragile. And I'm afraid to push too hard."

"I care about you a lot. But there's so much going on. I can't promise anything, Adrian. If this all goes wrong?—"

I press my fingers against his mouth. "I don't expect promises. Or anything. Just know that I've never felt this way about anyone."

"No pressure," he says, but he's smiling.

"No pressure." I hold his gaze. "I mean it, no pressure."

He nods, his hand returning to my face. "Adrian? Does Reginald think we're making out?"

I laugh. "Probably."

"Well, we don't want to disappoint him," he says with a cheeky grin, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. His eyes meet mine and there seems to be so much there: worry, uncertainty, desire. Before I can suggest we wait, Isaac surges forward and kisses me. All rational thought is gone. There is nothing but Isaac.

We share heated kisses, and my hands aren't sure where to land. They move from his sweet face to his hair to his strong shoulders. He straddles my legs as he moves onto my lap, and I swear the air conditioning has completely gone out. "Isaac."

"I know. I'm sorry, I just need—" His words cut off as he bites my bottom lip and tugs. He shifts, and our bodies rub together.

Oh God, is that his—I let out a sound I've never made before. I squeeze my eyes shut. I'm two seconds away from ruining this moment. My lack of experience is probably glaringly evident.

"Isaac," I gasp, and he must understand because he backs away. These kisses are slower. Less hungry but more emotional. I'm caught up in comforting him and being comforted. I need to tell him what I cannot say with words. You're good . You're worthy . You're…everything . I finally pull away before I can't.

He bites back a grin, spots of color on his cheeks. How can this man be so bold one minute and shy the next? He glances up at me. "See you tomorrow?"

I nod, resisting the urge to adjust myself. "Tomorrow."

Isaac gives me one last kiss, and I'm glad to see a little less panic in his eyes.

Reginald doesn't chastise me upon our return to the hotel. Not with words, at least. He's worried. Not just for me but for the crown. We order food from the hotel, and afterward, I start for my room, needing time to myself.

"This situation is delicate, Your Highness. We need to tread carefully."

"I promise I won't do anything to put the royal family in jeopardy." I mean the words, but everything I've done so far has belied that statement. Reginald doesn't call me on it, but the slightest smile suggests he knows I know.

"That's not the only family I'm concerned for."

My eyes dart to his, and I see the truth of his words. Emotion keeps me from speaking, but I nod.

Once I've retired to my room, I call my brother. It goes to voicemail. No need to leave a message he will never listen to. I try again.

"Hello? Adrian?" He sounds disoriented.

"Did I wake you?"

"Of course not. It's barely midnight. I was in the middle of an experiment. Is everything all right?" Things rattle and clank, and I imagine Phillipe clearing accumulated junk out of his chair.

"No," I say, hedging a bit. "And yes."

He huffs. "Adrian, please don't try my patience."

I laugh despite my worry before relaying the events of the morning.

"I don't trust Weiss at all," he says with a heavy sigh. "I wish I could be there with you."

"Two royal princes in Mule Creek?—"

"Are you having a go at me?"

"No," I say with a grin, even though he can't see me. "That's the name of the town."

"Good Lord, Adrian. Fine. You have a point. Weiss must believe he has a story."

"Better than a prince ditching his wedding and meeting a stranger in Burger King?" But I know the answer. I did this. Put Isaac and sweet Simon in this predicament. All for my own selfish reasons. The guilt rests like a rock in my stomach.

"He has that story and more. The man is relentless. Should I contact him?"

"What?" His words break through my guilt. "Are you mad? Give him more fuel. And exactly what he wants."

Clunking and banging noises reach me over the mobile phone. "What are you talking about? He's getting what he wants already."

And now, there are bubbling noises. "What is that sound?"

"Boiling water."

"What are you making?" I ask. "A love potion? A new type of material. Something to take over the world?"

"Close," he says, finally settling. "Tea."

I laugh and sink into the chair in my room. "We have people to do that."

"It's midnight. I can make my own damn tea." He sighs. "It helps me think. Back to Weiss. Don't let him record anything. Don't sign anything. Send anything he gives you to me, and I'll have it looked over. Don't?—"

"It's not my first time dealing with the press, Phillipe. Or Weiss. Reggie will be with me."

"Right, of course. Just be careful. The man is a menace."

"A menace with cute dimples?"

"No." More banging. "Fine. Slightly pleasing dimples but still a menace."

Isaac slips into the car, shaking his head and biting his bottom lip. I've noticed he does this when he's particularly stressed. "This is a bad idea," he says, his eyes on Reginald, the houses rolling by, and the black leather seats. Anywhere but me. I take his hand, but he pulls it loose.

"Isaac—"

"A very bad idea, Adrian. We're arriving in a luxury SUV to meet with my ex-wife. And the press will be there."

"One reporter. Barely a reporter. And you could have driven if you'd wanted." I ignore Reginald's look.

Isaac shakes his head, still studying the SUV's interior as if needing to memorize it. I grab his chin and guide him to face me. "It's going to be fine. I'll be with you?—"

"That's the problem. This isn't my first or my last run-in with Jane. But you—and the press—and stop looking at me like that." He glares until I drop my hand.

"You're angry with me. I don't blame you. This is my fault."

"Watch the road, Reginald," Isaac says, getting a nod from him before turning to me. He grabs my shirt and crushes our mouths together.

I thread my fingers through his hair, holding him in place as I put everything into the kiss. His hands move to my chest, and he pushes me away.

I lick my lips, trying to hold on to the taste of him. "Um…what was that?"

"You kept staring at me like you wanted to kiss me. We can't do that, Adrian."

I laugh. "And kissing me was your way of…putting an end to it? If I'm being honest, now I want to kiss you more."

"I know." He covers his face with his hands, and I want to wrap my arms around him. Comfort him. But I hold back.

"I won't let her hurt you or Simon."

He laughs, shaking his head. "You don't get it, Adrian. The outcome of this meeting is already determined." He turns toward me, his expression fierce. "There's no way I'm letting her near Simon." His eyes soften. "And I can't let myself care if that backfires on me…or hurts you."

As soon as we're settled in the diner, Christy asks if we need anything. While scowling. Is this man ever happy? I ask for a tea, and Isaac and Reginald do the same.

"Do we have a plan for this meeting?" Reginald asks. He's already asked me this more than once, but I don't have an answer.

"Listen to them, I suppose," I say, trying to keep the worry out of my voice. "See what they want."

"Yes," Isaac says. "We listen. And then tell them to fuck off."

I grin. "Politely?"

Christy practically slams the cup down, sloshing some of Isaac's tea on the table.

"Sorry," he says, but he doesn't sound sorry at all.

"Are you?" Isaac asks, and their eyes meet. Their silent exchange reminds me this isn't part of the owner's normal grumpiness. This is personal. "What's your problem, Christy?"

"Where's Zye?"

Isaac scowls as if the grumpiness is contagious. "He's with Simon."

Christy stands taller, if that's possible. "Can I talk to you, Isaac?"

"We're in the middle of something," I say, folding my napkin. I'm trying to remain calm, but with so much going on, Isaac doesn't need whatever is happening with the café owner. I'm missing something. They're related, but how? I want answers, but I have no right to them.

"Fine if you dinna want to talk," he grits out, but instead of leaving, he puts his hands on his hips. "I can say my piece right here."

Isaac jumps to his feet, jostling the table and spilling more tea. "You've got five minutes."

I grab his hand. "Isaac, we don't have time for this." Why am I desperate to keep him with me? Christy is already charging out of the room. Isaac squeezes my hand and releases it, following Christy and ignoring my protests. My face heats up. People don't ignore me. Except my brother. But this? I'm not used to it. It's one of the things I appreciate about Isaac. He doesn't care that I'm a royal. A prince. But without that, what am I? A guy he just met who's destroyed his peaceful life.

I avoid looking at Reginald. It isn't so much that Isaac ignored me. It's more that I expected him to listen to me. Care about my feelings? Or did I want him to obey me?

Too much reflection on an already stressful day.

"I don't give a fuck who he is, Isaac!"

I jump at the sound of Christy's voice. Reginald stands, and I shake my head. My face feels like it's on fire. I'm not used to being embarrassed—not publicly. Or angry. Any public displays of emotion are frowned upon. Not because I can't be a person and experience things, but because the press can interpret it however they want.

Isaac's voice is soothing and lower. I can't make out the words. I sip my tea, trying to stay composed.

A frustrated sound echoes around the room. And then another shout. "I don't want that woman in my restaurant! What if Lanie comes down here?"

"I'm sure yelling will help with that."

Oh God. I'm an idiot. I assumed his anger had something to do with me, but this is about Jane.

Isaac returns, his hands fluttering about as if he doesn't know what to do with them. Our eyes catch, and he settles, his shoulders relaxing as he returns to his seat.

"Are you all right?" I ask, searching his face for clues. He gives me a small smile and a nod.

Christy storms back. "They're here. Let's get this over with."