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After a long moment in his arms, he releases me and flashes a teasing half-smile. “I figured this was better for optics.”
“Optics.”
“Let’s go with that.” He winks.
A smile blooms across my face as my skin hums. I feel like I’m flying, even though we’re still on the ground as I return to my seat.
We take off in Billy’s private jet, and it feels like butter.
But my bright mood is tapered when I see Maddox. He’s smiling and chit-chatting with me, but it’s clear he’s off. He’s putting on a good front, but that meeting with his mom might’ve hit him harder than he wants to admit—even to himself.
I don’t want to push him to talk about it, at least not now. It’s all too fresh, and I know when I go through rough moments with my mom, it takes all my energy. I can only handle them in bite-sized pieces. So instead, when we reach cruising altitude, I get upand fetch him his black coffee with lots of cinnamon. Because we have a full kitchen at our disposal, I grab him a sesame bagel and spread a heaping amount of vegetable cream cheese. Then I slice cucumbers and put them on top, just the way he said he liked on the forms Skye had us fill out.
With his breakfast and a latte for me in hand, I bring it to him as he’s studying his phone intently.
I place his breakfast and coffee on his tray table, and he stares at it for several seconds before he looks up and says, “Thanks, Riley. I mean it.”
“You’re welcome.”
He gives me a smile, the only real one I’ve seen since we took off, and an understanding passes between us.
Then I sit, push the button for the foot recliner, and watch out the window for a bit, relaxing before reading a book. I should give him space.
And by the peaceful look on his face, it’s what he needs right now.
One word.
Jetlagged.
But at the same time, I’m pumped. Scotland is a dream.
Clouds hang above rolling green hills. The colorful, unique shops of downtown are a step back in time, looking movie-perfect with vines crawling up their walls. In fact, it makes me think we should do an episode ofUrban Dawnhere because it would be such a wonderful place to spend time.
Even better, I should make a movie from Grams’s manuscript that’s set here.
Then I see it—the castle-turned-hotel where we’re staying. And the place looks enchanting—bricks blackened with age,arches, and turrets everywhere. The sign pointing to it is beyond weathered and stands crooked, which only makes it all the more charming.
“Hold on.” I take out my professional camera. Photography is a passion of mine, and I have a feeling I’ll be taking a lot of shots here. I do a whole series from different angles.
“You look like a pro.” Maddox quirks a brow.
“I’ve done some paid work before—for Sophie’s company.” I’m bubbling with excitement when I say, “The history of this castle is fascinating. My grams wrote a biography about it.”
Maddox stops walking. “Tell me more.”
“Really?”
“You’re not the only one who’d love to produce a period drama.”
“So you’re into the historical pieces too?”
“Absolutely.” He looks at the castle, saying, “Tell me the story.”
“Well, in 1421, a coup basically abolished House of Laire monarchy. The princess was part of the rebellion, as she was in love with one of the turncoat knights. If it weren’t for her, they would’ve failed. It was a bloody battle, and the royal family of six was slaughtered,includingthe princess. Her knight in shining armor wasn’t so shiny, and he didn’t love her, after all.“ I kick a pebble as I walk.
“Nice.” Maddox nods. “And who ruled after that?”
I sigh. “Grams couldn’t figure it out.”
