Chapter 25

25

ISAAC

Simon's eyes bulge as he stares at the bird in front of us. He backs into my legs, and I squeeze his shoulders. "He's big, Daddy."

Of all the emus he's been around, and it's more than most six -year-olds, he's never been around an adult emu. The others were all less than three months old. I'm glad the area is roped off. I don't dislike emus like Zye, but this bird is almost as tall as I am, and he's staring us down with his orange eyes. "That's because he's an adult."

"Do you think Justine will be this big?"

I squeeze his shoulders again. "Probably, bud. But she's just a few months old. She has a while yet."

"Miles said she'll be grown by my next birthday."

Thanks, Miles. Maybe it's time for Justine to go be with other emus. But I don't mention that to Simon. He loves that bird. "Oh. Well, I don't think you need to be afraid of Justine."

"I'm not." He shakes his head for emphasis. "Emus are really easy to trick. If you hold a stick high over your head"—he stretches his hand up until he's on tiptoes—"they think you're that tall, and they get scared." He giggles. "Silly emus."

"Really? Did Miles tell you that?"

"Uh-huh. He knows all about emus. And Uncle Zye knows chickens."

"Let me guess. You and Miles have been practicing."

Simon nods, his face bright with excitement. "I'm a really good emu." He puffs out his chest and blows the air out, making a grunting noise. And, to be fair, he does sound a lot like Justine.

The emu responds with a grunt. He puffs up his chest and makes a deep thumping sound. Simon's eyes are huge.

"Is he talking to me?"

"I think so."

Simon makes a few more grunts, nods, and turns to me. "I told him we had to go visit the other animals. But it was nice meeting him."

This kid.

The Kansas City Zoo opened at nine-thirty, and Simon insisted we be here as soon as it opened so we wouldn't miss Adrian.

What if Adrian doesn't show?

I'm a nervous wreck. We didn't give him much time. I hadn't considered the time difference and the flight from Lutiana to here. No texts from him. No calls. I'm not sure what I expected. But complete silence wasn't it.

Simon seems more confident, but he can't hide his worry from me. We've been through this with his mom too many times.

I ignore those thoughts as we explore the animals in the Wonders of the Outback area. Simon stares at the kookaburras and laughs at the kangaroos, dragging me from animal to animal. It doesn't last long.

Simon tugs on my hand. "Come on, Daddy. I want to see Noelle."

This is where I expected us to go first. The thing Simon has talked about nonstop for the last two days. Well, the giraffe and Adrian.

"Maybe we should see the tigers first," I suggest. We are right next to the Tiger Trail.

Simon huffs and pulls me in the opposite direction. "We can't see the tigers. Or the monkeys."

"Bud, hold on." I grab his arm to stop him and crouch down. "Noelle isn't going anywhere. We can see whatever animal we want."

He presses his lips together, his eyes serious. "Adrian won't be able to find us."

My eyes sting as I hug him. Was this a terrible idea? Simon takes it for a second and then wriggles free. "Don't worry, okay?" I say, patting his cheek. "This isn't that big of a zoo. And Adrian's a prince."

"You really think Prince Adrian will be here?" Simon is stubbornly optimistic most of the time. But after all those times Jane promised to see him and didn't show up… It got to the point that I stopped telling him about the visits until she showed up.

But Adrian isn't Jane. "I know he will."

"You're very confident. I like that."

Our heads swivel at the sound of his voice. Adrian. I jump to my feet, smiling nervously. "Hi."

"Hi."

Simon rushes over, and Adrian picks him up and hugs him. "Happy birthday, Simon."

"Thank you." He wiggles until Adrian puts him down. "We saw the emus, and Justine is going to be so big. We waited for you, but now we can go see Noelle."

As Simon chatters on, Adrian and I stare at each other. I don't know why this is awkward, but I have all these stupid feelings.

Simon looks between us and shakes his head. "I think Daddy needs a hug."

Adrian laughs, and his eyes meet mine. "Does Daddy need a hug?"

I nod and let out a choked laugh. And then Adrian's arms around me and—I'd like to say everything is perfect, but the truth is, I'm a blubbering mess. I squeeze him as hard as I can and then stop abruptly. He pulls back and touches my face. "Why are you crying?"

"I don't know." We both laugh, and then I'm hugging him again. Squeezing so hard I'm worried about breaking a rib or two.

Finally, I let go, mostly because Simon is getting impatient. "Daddy? Aren't you forgetting something?"

"Am I?" I wipe my face. "What am I forgetting?"

"We made a plan. Remember?"

Oh God. I shake my hands out and try to calm down. "I remember."

"A plan?" Adrian asks, glancing at me and then Simon.

"Yup. Uncle Zye had his whiteboard, and we decided not to write you a letter with a plane cuz too spensive."

"Sensible."

"So Daddy called Mommy. And then he went on TV to tell you to come here."

"And here I am. Your plan worked. Well done."

"But Daddy's forgetting the best part."

"I am?"

Simon tugs on my hand, and I lean down. He whispers the plan in my ear, but the elephants can probably hear it from the other side of the zoo. "Tell Adrian we love him."

"Oh yeah. Sorry." I'd wanted to wait until Adrian and I were alone, but I realize Simon is right. "Adrian Nicholas Edward Cordolini, the Third, Prince of Lutiana." He stares at me with such fondness. How could I ever doubt him? "I love you."

"We," Simon prompts. And I laugh.

I feel breathless and giddy and so very happy. "We love you."

Adrian grins at me. The man is gorgeous, inside and out.

Simon tugs on Adrian's hand. "Now you should kiss Daddy."

Adrian tilts his head, his green eyes teasing. "Should I?"

Oh my God. But Simon stares at us with his earnest face. "Zye and Miles kiss all the time."

"That is true. What do you say, Daddy?"

"I think Simon has amazing ideas."

Adrian touches my face, and the gravitational pull of this man has me stepping closer until we're inches apart. His lips brush lightly over mine but with enough pressure to promise more. And now I really am lightheaded. "I missed you."

There is so much I want to say. That I want to do. But Simon is here, and all that will have to wait. The next kiss is more intense. His mouth opens slightly, giving me a taste…and we both pull back, grinning at each other.

Simon beams as if he masterminded this entire plan himself…and, in a way, he did. Then his smile drops. "Where's Reggie?"

"Oh, he was worried about…being in the way," Adrian says, ruffling Simon's hair.

Simon stares at him. "Reggie's family. Daddy says when you love someone, they are part of your family even if they don't live with you."

"Did you hear that, Reggie?" Adrian says, glancing over at the small outdoor café where Reginald is sitting.

Reginald wipes his eyes. "I heard. Thank you, Master Simon."

Simon rushes over and gives him a big hug. As Reginald and Simon talk excitedly, Adrian turns to me.

"Hi there." He touches my face, my brow, my cheek, my jaw, my lips.

"Hi." It's torture. I want to kiss him again.

"I can't believe you said all that, Isaac. Put yourself in the public eye. For me."

All the frustration during the last twenty-four hours comes rushing back. "I can't believe you didn't call. Or text me. I was worried, Adrian. Worried I did the wrong thing." I step back, needing distance. Did he wait as a punishment for me leaving in the first place?

He holds his hands out. "I can explain."

"Go ahead, Adrian. Explain."