Page 96 of Royal Icing

She pulled Emma down and wrapped her in a hug. When was the last time his parents had hugged him? His dad had once when Manchester United won. He had also sloshed a beer down his back.

Being with Emma was joyful, but seeing evidence of such a close family was confusing and melancholy in a way he didn’texpect. The wheelchair creaked as Emma pushed her mother out, startling him out of his thoughts.

“You must be Leo.” Lisa still looked pale and shaken, but she spoke with a smile. She held her hand out, and it was delicate and cool as a Fabergé egg. “It’s so nice to meet you in person. Emma, dear, give him the tour while I prepare some refreshments. It’s not every day we entertain royalty.”

Emma froze, like she had forgotten she was in her own house. Her eyes darted to the ceiling, where a wispy spiderweb hung. Maybe she wasn’t comfortable having him in her home. Which would be problematic because he was cut off and didn’t get another trust payment until January 1.

“You don’t have to do that. You’ve been through so much today,” he said.

“No, it’s not that, it’s just—this isn’t going to be what you’re used to. We live on a very fixed income.”

Something squeezed in his chest. “Technically speaking, I don’t have a home right now. You’re miles ahead of me.”

Emma stared. “You have to move out too?”

“It was time,” he muttered.

“So you have to find a real job and a new place to live,” she said slowly. “What are you going to put on your resume?”

Shit. He hadn’t even thought about that. Beyond his royal duties, he had never held a real nine-to-five job. Who was going to want an employee whose only life experience was being a prince for thirty-two years?

“I don’t know. Maybe Sal will let me wash dishes or work in the kitchen. I’ll figure it out.”

“Damn. And I thought I’d messedmylife up,” she said.

They both looked at each other for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“Stay with us. For as long as you need. Come on.” She tugged him forward.

Faded pictures of Emma as a little girl were framed all down the hallway—playing on a swing set, baking in an apron, smiling next to a Christmas tree. Her history was written on the walls. Were they a little shabby? Maybe, but the whole house felt lived in, loved. It couldn’t have been more unlike the austere atmosphere of the castle where he had been scolded countless times for running down the hall, laughing, or just generally being a child.

A full blush had crept into Emma’s cheeks. It pained his heart to see her so ashamed of her home.

Hardwood floors snapped and groaned as they passed a couple of closed doors and emerged into a small living room. It smelled like the color green. Plants were everywhere—every windowsill, on shelves. It was warm and full of energy.

She released his hand and bent over to open the dog crates. Cooper immediately bounded over and put his paws on Leo’s shoulders.

Another smaller dog, a black lab, followed more cautiously.

“This is Arizona. My mom’s service dog,” Emma said.

He hesitated. “Am I allowed to pet her?”

Emma smiled. “Yes. She’s not working right now. But thank you for asking.”

He dropped to a knee, and Arizona immediately licked his face and put a rough paw on his knee.

“She’s beautiful.”

There was so much love and warmth contained in these four walls. He had never been allowed to have a pet. Maybe now he’d adopt one…once he found a place to live. But there would be time to worry about that tomorrow. For tonight, he was going to sink deeply into Emma’s world and find out what magnificent melting pot had created the woman he loved.

Bollocks. There was that word again.

“Anyway, here’s our living room and kitchen and—” She gasped, and Leo whirled around, half expecting to see another intruder trying to climb in their back door. But she was staring at the calendar on the wall.

“It’s your birthday,” she said.

“A birthday?” Lisa’s head popped up. “We have so much to do. What’s your favorite dinner, Leo?”