Jamie set his fork down with exaggerated slowness. “Tell me about him.” He paused. “Please.”
I stared at the boy of my dreams, his golden hair falling in wavy locks across his forehead, his brown eyes brimming with warmth and encouragement, and the words began pouring out of me.
“He was a great dad, never missed a single dance recital, bedtime story, or family dinner, but then both his parents died within months of each other. He couldn’t handle it, I guess. He began disappearing for days at a time, coming home strung out—on drugs, I mean.” Jamie nodded his understanding, so I continued. “After awhile, he barely remembered my name.” Jamie took my hand in his large, rough fingers.
“On my twelfth birthday, I woke to find the dad I used to know, his face open, his eyes clear, and I knew it was going to be a good day.” I stared out the window, but all I could see was my dad’s face as it had been that day, asking me what I wanted for my first “big girl” birthday. “I told him I wanted a strawberry-flavored cake with pink frosting, and a surprise.”
My gaze shifted back to Jamie, he was leaning forward in his seat, sheltering my hand in both of his. “Daddy said, ‘Okay, Sweet Pea, one pink cake and a special surprise coming up!’ He hugged me and said he’d be back before dinner.”
I swallowed, my words coming out in a whisper. “That was the last time I ever saw him.”
Jamie was out of his seat in a blur and pulled me into his arms before I could blink the gathering tears out of my eyes. He stroked my hair from the top of my head, down to the middle of my back, making soothing noises. I rested my head on his chest, feeling the strong steady beat of his heart resonate inside me.
“Verranica, I’m so sorry.”
I blinked rapidly and clenched my teeth against the memories of my past life, trying not to dwell on what little I had to go back to, or how being in this boy’s arms made me feel like I was home for the first time in a long time.
“He has no idea what he’s missing.”
I leaned back and stared at him, my brows scrunched over my eyes. “What did you say?”
He smiled a sad, sweet smile. “I said, he’s an idiot and he has no idea what an amazing daughter he has.” He said the words simply and with such sincerity that they washed over me like absolution. I closed my eyes, but the tears flowed hot over my cheeks anyway. How was it possible he knew the exact right thing to say? The words I’d secretly longed to hear, but hadn’t realized it until they came out of his mouth?
I smiled at him through my tears. “You have no clue how perfect you are, do you?”
“Well … ah.” He scratched his head and looked away, his cheeks turning pink.
I couldn’t believe it—I’d made Jamie MacCrae blush. Absurdly pleased with myself, I moved out of his arms and danced away from him. He laughed softly before sitting to finish the last of his meal.
Unfortunately, this happiness couldn’t last.
I stiffened my back and began to clear away the dishes. “I think it’s time we head back to the castle. You have the Coronation to prepare for, right?”
“That I have,” he stated as he stretched his arms over his head and then hooked his elbow around the chair spindle, fixing his dark eyes on my face. “I do have one request of you, before we head back.”
I nodded my head, indicating he should continue, afraid to trust my voice.
“Since I believe we can both agree that I saved yer life last night …” His smile was confident and a little bit wicked. “I would ask something of you in return.”
My stomach clenched into knots. He had rescued me from the bear, it was true, and a part of me felt willing to give him anything he asked for, as long as it didn’t derail me from my goal. “Go on,” I said flatly.
He wiped his mouth and stood. “Come to the Coronation and the Centennial Ball.”
“I don’t know …” The thought of watching him and Sofia become engaged, although I knew it was the right course, could very well push me over the edge.