Merry with a Prince (Love Beach, Holiday Collection)

Chapter Eight

Leo

I glance around the cottage one last time, making sure everything’s in place. The pasta sauce simmers on the stove, filling the room with the smell of garlic and herbs. A bottle of red wine sits uncorked, ready to be poured. I’ve gone over what I want to say at least a dozen times in my head, but my heart still pounds and my nerves still buzz. Tonight, finally, I’ll tell her the truth.

It’s been two days since I last saw her, but it feels like a lifetime. Willa’s been wrapped up in family things and I’ve missed her like crazy. It’s only been weeks, but she’s wormed herself into my thoughts, into my routine, into my very breath. And I want her to know everything about me —no more half-truths or hiding.

Three days until Christmas and I can’t go into the holiday with this secret hanging between us. Not if there’s a chance she’ll forgive me and accept me as I am with the life I lead and everything it entails.

I take one more deep breath, mentally rehearsing how I’ll start. There’s something I need to tell you, something I should’ve told you before … No, that’s too formal. She deserves better than a rehearsed speech.

A strong knock at the door jolts me from my thoughts and I can’t help but smile. She’s early. I was expecting her at seven but Willa’s timing has always been unexpected. Perfect, but unexpected. I open the door, ready to see her face and stop short.

It’s not Willa. Standing there, looking like he just stepped off a plane, is Maxim, my secretary. His dark suit is perfectly pressed and he’s carrying a sleek leather folder tucked under his arm, his expression mildly apologetic.

“You Highness,” he greets, inkling his head.

I blink, caught between shock and a strange dread. “Maxim? What are you doing here?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” he says, his voice hushed and discreet. “There are important documents that require your immediate attention. I tried to reach you, but your phone was off.”

I glance toward the kitchen where I left my phone. I’d turned it off on purpose, wanting no interruptions tonight. But, of course, the one time I wanted silence, my duties decided to catch up with me.

“Maxim, this isn’t… I mean, I have company coming,” I say, hoping he’ll understand and make this quick. “Why couldn’t this have been an email?”

“These documents need actual signatures. It’ll only take a few minutes,” he assures me, holding the folder out. He’s still standing in the open doorway as if he plans to get these signatures and literally run away. “Just some signatures, and then I’ll be on my way.”

I hesitate, glancing over my shoulder at the coxy, candle-lit space I’d set up for Willa. I’d hoped to keep my world apart from her, to create a place just for us tonight. But there’s no avoiding this now. I reach for the folder as Maxim opens it.

“Sign on pages three and seven, Your Highness.”

I hear the crunch of gravel outside just as I pick up the pen. I look out the door and freeze.

There she is wrapped in a warm coat and scarf. I’m filled with an immediate urge to drop everything and go to her. There are no smiles or bright eyes. Willa looks confused and hurt.

Our eyes meet for just a second before she glances down and away, her face tightening as she takes in the scene. I try to call out to her, but the words catch in my throat as she turns on her heel and heads back down the path, retreating before I can even react.

I drop the pen, my heart racing. “Maxim, I need you to go. Now.”

Maxim, to his credit, doesn’t question me. He quickly gathers the papers, offering a polite nod. “Understood, Your Highness. I’ll await your signature in the morning.”

I don’t wait for him to leave. I rush out, hoping to catch up with her. But as I reach the path, the only thing I see is her retreating figure, already disappearing down the road.

“Willa!” I call after her, my voice breaking through the stillness, but she doesn’t stop. I want to chase after her, to explain, but something in her stride tells me that right now, she needs space. And maybe I owe her that.

As I stand there, watching her disappear, a sinking feeling settles in my chest. I’d wanted to be perfect, to finally give her all of me. Instead, she’d heard me referred to by my title with Maxim standing there looking like some kind of servant.

I let out a slow breath, my heart heavy with the realization that the truth was out just not in the way I’d hoped. All I can do now is hope that she’ll let me explain before she’s out of my life for good.