After Leo was clean and dressed in Mr. Hedley's t-shirt and jeans, he turned off the bathroom light. Just as he stepped out into the hall, he rammed into someone. Glancing up, he saw the wide eyes of Marianna.

He couldn't help the grin that formed on his lips. She'd been so adorable earlier when he had to strip for her. She had looked as if she was going to catch on fire when he slipped his shirt off.

Truth was, he was used to women reacting that way, but when it happened with Marianna, it felt different. He wanted to be attractive to her. She was different from anyone he'd ever been around. He wasn't sure what he could add to a woman so confident and smart, so the thought that she appreciated his physique made him feel good.

He wrapped his arms around her waist to steady her. "Whoa," he said, winking.

And just as he’d expected, her cheeks reddened. "I'm so sorry," she said, stepping back.

He fought it for a moment, but then let her go, immediately feeling the absence of her warmth. She tucked a curl behind her ear and smiled up at him.

"Everything okay?" she asked, nodding toward the bathroom. Then she slammed her eyes shut as if she realized what she had just asked.

He felt bad. She seemed so out of sorts. "It was great. Water was warm and I no longer smell like motor oil."

She peeked over at him. "I'm happy to hear it. And the clothes look okay," she said, nodding toward him. "Not that I'm saying you didn't look good earlier. In your…other clothes." She pinched her lips together as if she were remembering something.

"I get it," he said, hoping she'd realize that she didn't need to keep talking. "What are you doing up here?" he asked, nodding toward the stack of books in her arms.

She glanced down as if she suddenly remembered she was holding something. "Oh, you don't want to know." She hugged them closer to her chest.

"I don't?" he asked, leaning closer to her to get a peek.

"Yeah. It's just baby pictures." She shook her head. "Nothing you'd be interested in."

He reached out and pressed down on the top part of the book. "Who says I wouldn't be interested in them?"

"Me," she blurted out. A little too fast.

Leo would be lying if he said that didn't pique his interest. But, he hated how uncomfortable she looked, so he dropped his hand. "Well, maybe someday you'll be okay with me seeing baby Marianna."

She pinched her lips. A look flashed through her eye. One that made Leo feel sad. Or perhaps, it was the weight of his own words. Someday. Would they have a someday?

The truth was that no, they wouldn't. There was no way his parents were going to let him marry anyone but Gisella. It was either a future with the witch or no throne. If he lost his inheritance, what could he offer someone?

He had never worked. He didn't even know how to get a job. And he doubted that Prince on a resume was as enticing as it sounded. So he backed away from Marianna. Only stopping because the wall forbade him from moving further.

"Are you hungry? Rolls are out of the oven, and mom's desperate to feed you." She smiled over at him.

He was beginning to enjoy her soft features. The way her smile made his toes tingle. What was he going to do when she left?

He cleared his throat and nodded. He needed to stop thinking about her like that. Hadn't they agreed to not have feelings for the other person? He needed to remember that she had no intention of having anything to do with him once this was over.

She waved at him to follow. Once they were back in the kitchen, Mrs. Hedely smiled over at him.

"I'm happy Ted's clothing worked out for you." She shot Mr. Hedely a stern look.

Mr. Hedely smiled sheepishly at Leo. "Sorry for dragging you out to the garage. I realize now that, since you are royalty, climbing under my car was not the best course of action." He glanced back over to Mrs. Hedely, who nodded.

Leo reached out and patted his shoulder. "It's all good. I like to get my hands dirty. I enjoyed that you showed me a part of your life."

Mr. Hedely looked relieved. "Great."

Mrs. Hedely went into full hostess mode. She had everyone sit down and began dishing up Leo's plate. He wanted to tell her that he could do it himself, but she looked so determined that he decided to let it go. It was amazing how many people used movies to tell them how to treat royalty.

His eyes widened when she handed him a heaping plate of food. He heard Marianna gasp, but he met her gaze and shook his head. He didn't want to be rude or to embarrass her mom.

"This looks amazing," he said, smiling over at her.

Mrs. Hedely's cheeks burned with appreciation. "I'm so happy you like it. If you, who eat from the finest chefs, say that about my food, then—" She pinched her lips shut as if she were letting that thought sink in.

"You are a great cook, Mom," Marianna said.

"Yeah, Susan. Now sit down so we can eat."

The meal was amazing, and it wasn't the food. Even though Leo enjoyed the spread, it was the company that was refreshing. He loved watching Marianna and her parents reminisce about her past boyfriends and teenage meltdowns.

He loved the way Marianna smiled with her whole face and laughed with her heart. They had a relationship that Leo could only dream of. There was no stress. No expectations. It was just a daughter and her parents.

Filippo even looked as if he were enjoying himself. He insisted he sit on one of the bar stools in the kitchen. Every so often, Leo would glance over to him. Once, Leo thought he even saw Filippo smile.

When his plate was cleaned, he leaned back and rubbed his stomach. "That was amazing," he said.

Mrs. Hedely moved to stand. "Seconds?"

Leo laughed and held up hands. "I really couldn't eat another bite."

Mrs. Hedely looked heartbroken.

"But maybe some for the road?" he asked.

"You don't have to do that," Marianna said and then glanced over to her mom. "Don't make him do that. We're headed to Caro in the morning. There's no way it will keep."

Leo hated the hurt expression on Mrs. Hedely's face. "It's okay. Filippo and I will eat it before we leave." He glanced over at his bodyguard. "Right?"

Filippo quirked an eyebrow but nodded. "Of course."

That seemed to appease Mrs. Hedely. She stood and made her way over to the kitchen, where she grabbed a Tupperware container and filled it with leftovers.

When Leo turned his attention back to Marianna, she shook her head. "You don't have to do this," she mouthed.

He just winked at her—enjoying the blush that raced across her skin. He liked her parents, and the last thing he wanted to do was disappoint them.

When the table was cleared, everyone made their way into the living room. Her mom passed around a plate of cookies, and even though Leo was stuffed, he took one.

Marianna shook her head at him as he happily ate it.

The next few hours were spent learning more and more about Marianna. Her parents weren't stingy with the stories. They laughed at times and grew serious at others. Leo was disappointed when Marianna stood.

"We should get going back, or your parents will think I kidnapped you," she said.

Her mom appeared in the room with his clothes folded and stacked into a pile.

"Really?" Was it bad that he wanted to stay here? That he felt more like a member of this family than he did his own. Things were easy here, and if he were honest with himself, going back to the hotel where his parents were was the last thing he wanted.

Marianna's eyes widened. He gave her a smile, hoping that she would see that he was enjoying himself.

Before either could speak, Filippo appeared in the doorway with his hand covering the microphone of his cell. "Your Highness," he said, nodding toward Leo.

"Yes?"

"Your mother." He walked across the room and handed the phone to Leo.

Leo tried not to sigh, but he couldn't help the frustration that grew in his gut. Of course his mother was checking up on him. He took it and stood, making his way over to the corner of the room.

"Hello?"

"Leo? Where are you? Why haven't you been answering your phone?"

Leo grabbed at his pocket but realized he was still wearing Mr. Hedely's clothes. His phone must have dropped out in the bathroom. But he wasn't going to tell his mother that he'd taken a shower here. Or that Marianna had seen him shirtless. "What do you need?"

She sputtered on the other end. "I—well, it's getting late, and I wanted to make sure you were headed back. The plane leaves early tomorrow morning."

Leo scrubbed his face and nodded. "Fine. We are leaving right now."

"Thank you."

Leo pulled the phone from his face but then heard his mother speak.

"Yes?" he asked, bringing the phone back.

"I just wanted to tell you to drive safe."

"We will."

Once he was sure his mother was done, he hit the end button and handed the phone over to Filippo, who slipped it into his coat pocket.

"Should we go?" Marianna asked.

Leo nodded, reaching out to shake Mr. Hedely's hand. "Thank you so much for having me here." And then he leaned forward and said under his breath, "And for understanding."

Mr. Hedely nodded. "Of course. We expect an invitation to the wedding once you have settled on a date."

Marianna's eyes widened, but Mr. Hedely just winked.

It took ten minutes to change his clothes, find his phone, carry all the food that Mrs. Hedely had packed out to the car, and say goodbye.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hedely pulled him into a hug and told him to protect their daughter. Leo agreed and watched as Marianna hugged her parents.

Back in the car, they waved as Filippo pulled out of the driveway and onto the main road. Leo settled back into his seat, peeking over at Marianna. She was watching out the window as her parents grew smaller.

She looked sad and her shoulders slumped. He reached out and rested his hand on her shoulder.

"It'll be okay," he said, enjoying the warmth that touching her brought him.

She glanced back at him and nodded. "They're silly, huh?" She asked, wiping at her cheek.

Even in the few short hours that he had spent with them, they'd already weaseled into his heart. "They are great. Do you get to see them a lot?"

She yawned and rested her head back. "Not as much as I would like. Dad hides it, but he's getting older. He had glaucoma and high blood pressure. It worries me, you know?" she said, turning to look at him.

Leo nodded. "I get it."

Closing her eyes, she tipped her head until it rested on his shoulder. Leo couldn't help but breathe in the smell of her coconut shampoo. He reveled in the feeling of her so close to him. Perhaps, it wasn't only him that had brewing feelings.

"Do you mind if I rest here for the ride back? I'm exhausted," she murmured, already sounding half asleep.

Leo nodded. "Of course."

She let out a satisfied sigh. "You're a good friend."

Leo cringed at that word. Friend. He knew he should be grateful that she saw him as someone she could confide in, that there was no romantic worry between the two of them. He should be happy about that.

He wasn’t in a place in his life where he could be more than friends with anyone. So he shoved all thoughts of anything more to the corner of his mind, tipped his head back, and closed his eyes.

He tried to ignore the feeling of Marianna so close to his body. Thankfully, the hum of the road and the warmth of the setting sun surrounded him and lulled him to sleep.