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“Everything all right?” Sadie laughed as she came around the partition. Her eyes widened. “Prince Steffan.”
“Shh.” He put a finger to his lips. “Trying to stay incognito.”
It was impossible for him to stay incognito. He was too regally beautiful.
“Luckily, none of these people speak English,” Sadie said. “Or have TikTok.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Sadie,” Steffan said. “I’d shake your hand, but I know how it is to have to wash up again. I met your husband Wolf. Fabulous guy.” He gestured back to the sign-in table of sorts. Wolf lifted a hand, grinning. “He said you might have need of a doctor’s assistance.”
“Steffan?” Hattie whispered. She was going to faint.
As if sensing her need for him and for some support, he hurried to her and wrapped her up in his arms. “We’ll be back.” He tilted his head toward the forest and some privacy.
“Take your time. We’ll be here,” Sadie called.
Hattie didn’t care where Steffan took her. It turned out working with Sadie and helping people was more satisfying than visiting the seven wonders of the world, but here in Steffan’s arms was the home she’d longed and searched for, even before meeting him. They walked slowly to the forest. When they were alone, he turned to her.
“There’s so much I need to say, but …” He bent and kissed her.
Hattie flung her arms around his neck and kissed him back with gusto. When they had to draw in oxygen, she stared into his blue eyes. “You look so good.”
“You look amazing. I loved watching you interact with the children. They adore you.”
“How long have you been watching?”
“A while.”
“A metric while or standard while?” she teased.
“Metric, of course. We Europeans are civilized, after all. I could have watched for a kilo-while, as you’re not very observant.”
“Obviously. I’ve been framed for murder twice now.”
That took some of the happiness from the moment.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Well, Curt and Aliya called me out. She said I looked like crap warmed over in a microwave, not even an oven.” He grinned, and she couldn’t have cared less that she was a murderer twice over and dead as well. He was here. “Interestingly enough, I called Curt out before he went to declare his love to Aliya in Georgia.”
“I remember that story.”
He barked a laugh. “You and Aliya got through a lot of stories.”
“So you came because your brother guilted you into it.” Her heartbeat was all over the place. She wanted him to declare he came because he wanted to declare his love to her.
“No. I came because I want to date the most intriguing international fugitive in the world, even if she is declared dead.”
“I’m a walking zombie.”
“No.” He smiled and looked over her face as if feasting on the view. “An angel, that’s what you are. Angelica.”
“You want to date me?” She was no angel, but she was trying.
“Yes.” He nodded somberly. “I want to date you, kiss you, volunteer with you wherever you are, get to know you, and make you fall in love with me.”
She found herself smiling. “I don’t think you can make me fall in love with you.”
“I can sure try. I am a handsome, charming doctor and a prince. Some women go crazy for that kind of thing.”
