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Ethan leans forward on the table and addresses the entire room. “Shall we get started?”
Chapter three
Patrick
The Alpha team was informed that we had a very high-profile client coming in and that the meeting would be an “all-hands-on-deck” kind of affair. When the door opened, and Ariella strode in with Alex and Kiernan in tow, I was stunned, speechless. After our chance encounter at the ski resort, I thought I would never see her again. With a final hug that didn’t last nearly long enough for my taste, I figured it was our final goodbye. Walking away was the hardest thing I had ever done, but all I had ever wanted for Ari was to see her happy. If Kiernan did that for her, then who was I to get in their way?
Alex was the first to notice me, and he ran over, sliding his arms around my waist for a hug that seems out of place after only having met me once. But I returned the gesture, then pulled out the chair for him. I needed him as a buffer between Ariella and myself. I didn’t want to inadvertently reach over and grab her hand to provide her comfort since that isn’t my role in her life anymore.
I don’t look at the happy couple as they sit down only a few feet away from me. Instead, my eyes focus on Savannah, who gives me a gentle but knowing smile. On our return trip back to the city, I told her the story that I’d kept to myself for years, explaining who Ariella was to me. Well, I didn’t tell her everything, but enough for her to know that I have never stopped loving the princess.
“Is she the reason why you don’t date? In the eight-plus years I’ve known you, Pat, I’ve never seen you even look at a woman the way you did her today,” she asked. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but we’ve all been curious.”
I nod, taking the time to formulate my thoughts into words. “Thank you for never pressing the issue, and yes, Ariella is the reason why I don’t date. I gave my heart to her a long time ago. I’ve been praying every day to God that he would reunite us. I guess I should have been more specific and requested that she be single, too,” I laugh mirthlessly.
“So, you’re a Christian, then? We’re always taught to avoid discussing politics and religion, so I’ve never asked you about your faith. But I’ve always wondered about that, too.”
“I am. I haven’t always been the best example of one, but I’ve tried to live my life in a way that glorifies Him. I don’t curse. I don’t drink. I don’t sleep around.”
“Are you telling me you’re a virgin, Patrick? Because I don’t believe that for a second.” She says it as if it’s the oddest thing in the world to want to wait until marriage. A lot of people want to wait until marriage, but very few do these days. It’s not unheard of, but since I’m 33 years old, I didn’t blame her for her disbelief.
My cheeks reddened in embarrassment at her question. It was a topic that I’d always felt should be kept private.
“No way! You are, aren’t you?” she asked shocked.
I shook my head and answered her question honestly since I knew she wouldn’t leave it alone until I did. “No, I’m not a virgin. But I’ve only ever been with one woman.” I waited for her to figure it out, and it’s no surprise that it dawned on her instantly.
“Ariella.”
I continued looking ahead, not bothering to respond. I didn’t need to.
“Here’s what I don’t get. You’ve lived a life according to your principles, and after one indiscretion, your God punishes you by taking away the one person you love. How can you love a God that ignores you and doesn’t answer your prayers?” she asked with disdain. She crossed her arms and looked out the window, getting lost in her thoughts. Her question made me wonder what happened in her past to make her question God’s love. It’s not that she doesn’t believe in Him, but rather that she feels He turned His back on her. I wanted to ask her about it but knew it wasn’t the right time. She’d share when she was ready, so I asked a different question.
“Why do you think God didn’t answer my prayers?”
She huffed. “You can’t be serious. You prayed every day for what nine, almost ten years only for Ariella to return married and with a kid to boot?”
“Savannah. God answered my prayers the first day I asked Him. He just didn’t say ‘Yes.’ The way I see it, He gives us one of three possible answers. Yes. No. And not right now. Just because we don’t get what we ask for when we ask for it doesn’t mean He didn’t answer the prayer. Our plan and His plan for us don’t always align. It’s something I accepted long ago.”
I watched as she contemplated my answer and heard her mumble softly, “He always says ‘No’ to me.”
I reached over, taking her hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. “That’s because He has something better planned for you than what you desire. Trust Him to know what’s best.”
She didn’t say anything after that, and we rode the rest of the way in comfortable silence. I sensed she needed the time to reflect as much as I did.
I’m snapped back to the present by Ethan’s question, “Shall we get started?”
I look around the room at my team, then at Kiernan, who meets my gaze head-on. If he knows who I am to Ariella, he doesn’t show it. I don’t feel an ounce of hostility or jealousy aimed in my direction. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. He sees me as an ally to help protect him and his family.
When I shift my focus to Ariella, I notice she’s looking anywhere but at me. It stings a little bit, but if avoiding me is what it takes for her to get through this meeting, I’ll let her do what she needs to.
Last, but certainly not least, is the young Prince Alex beside me. When I look down at him, he gives me a broad grin. I don’t know what it is about him, but I’d do anything to protect him just like I would his mother. He has brown hair and blue eyes like Kiernan, but I can see Ariella in his features. As I stare at him, I wonder who he gets the tiny chin dimple from because I don’t remember seeing one on Ariella’s father. I shake off the thought and rub the top of his head, which makes him laugh.
“Princess Ariella…” Ethan begins to say when he’s interrupted by her soft voice.
“Just Ariella, please. I’ve been assured that our titles won’t be used after this meeting is concluded. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer that we go ahead and start now.”
“Of course,” replies Ethan with a small grin. “Do you want to tell my team what happened and why you’re here, or would you like me to do it and you fill in any gaps?”
