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Breaking their agreement and assenting to the queen’s request to take up official engagements for the Company had been a mistake. He’d known it would be, but Dani had been insistent they could handle it. Seeing where they were now, he should’ve stood firm. Throwing their nascent relationship into the spotlight had caused damage. There was a distance between them that hadn’t been there since their early days of dating. They needed to put all this family business behind them and refocus on their relationship. He refused to let his family situation ruin the best thing to happen to him.
It had been only three days, but he missed her terribly. They hadn’t had a chance to talk, outside of a few texts, since he’d left. Between stopping at centers, receiving visitors from various organizations, and attending several receptions, including one at the Belfast Empire Music Hall, he’d been quite busy.
He needed to see her, hear her voice.
“You are the best man I’ve ever known,” Dani said when she accepted the call, her expression soft, brown eyes bright.
His pulse quickened. He couldn’t stop himself from responding to her; it was instinctive. “So you liked your surprise?”
“I did.”
“Good.” Warmth unfurled in his chest at pleasing her. “Did you enjoy seeing your friends?”
“Yes! How did you know it would be just what I needed?”
“I took a chance. You mentioned them during our walk last week and I remember after Nyla’s premiere you said the two of you missed spending time together. I figured you may not have gotten the chance before you left to come here.”
She briefly averted her gaze, before inhaling and offering an overly bright smile. “That was so thoughtful, baby.”
There it was. Something was going on. He might have thought he’d imagined it but now that he was looking for it, it was obvious. And he wouldn’t let her convince him otherwise.
He narrowed his eyes. “And you’re feeling better?”
“I am.” Dani laughed. “Are you auditioning for a role onLaw & Order?”
The TV series? Why was she ask—
She was trying to distract him, but it wouldn’t work. “I want you to tell me what’s wrong.”
She sighed. “There’s nothing wrong.”
“You’ve been saying that to me for the better part of two weeks and I’ve let it slide. But no longer. Love, I’m worried about you.”
“Jay—”
“No, Dani. I know something is wrong. Why won’t you tell me what it is? Do you want me to beg?”
“God, no, baby. I—” She squeezed her eyes shut. “You win.”
He nodded, gratified by his victory. “I’m leaving for a youth center visit shortly. We can talk this afternoon.”
“It’s not pressing. Let’s wait until this is all over. We’ll have held up our end of the bargain and you’ll have a chance to figure out what you want to do next.”
That timing was suspiciously vague. When would it be all over? After the invention of flying cars or when they’d returned from their six-month tour of the moon?
She must’ve sensed his impatience because she said, “I promise I’ll tell you what you want to know but can you wait a little while longer? Please?”
He exhaled. “Okay. But this is the last time you’ll put me off.”
“I never put you off,” she said, looking affronted.
“Hmmm... lucky me, then.”
He wished she were here with him. He missed holding her. Among other things...
“I really want to kiss you.”
Her gaze dropped to his mouth. “Same. When do you get home today?”
