Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
NATE
N ate tried to stop the trembling in his hands, clasping them together tightly as he balanced his elbows on his knees. He gauged her delicate features after he’d issued his warning shot. I’m afraid it’s going to make you hate me .
The concern etched into every line of her face made his stomach clench into a tight knot. How could he find the words to say what he needed to say?
The Ferris wheel pulled them upward again before it skittered to a stop. Their car wobbled back and forth as he tried to find his voice. “Ellie, I…”
She reached for his hand, squeezed it. “Nathan, whatever it is, I’m certain we can face it.”
He breathed out a shaky breath. “I really want to believe that because…I…Oh, Ellie. I’m over the moon for you. I’m…I love you. ”
Her features melted into a smile at the words. “I feel the same. Which is why we can face anything.”
The car slid forward again before jerking to a stop. Her expression changed from happy to concerned in an instant. “You don’t seem relieved.”
“I’m not because I haven’t told you what I need to say. I just…I wanted you to know how I felt before I said it. I…”
“What?”
As Nate struggled to form the words, memories of Chloe’s betrayal flashed before his eyes. The sting of her deceit, once a sharp pain, had dulled over time but never fully disappeared. He feared not the revelation of his wealth, but the possibility of losing Elena, the one person who saw him for who he truly was. “I told you about Chloe, about how she cheated with my brother. How she wasn’t interested in me for me, right?”
Elena nodded. “Yes, I remember.”
“She was interested in me for a specific reason. And I…umm…the thing is, Ellie, I haven’t been honest with you. Not totally honest, anyway.”
Shock and fear flickered through her eyes as she stared at him. The Ferris wheel whisked them upward, finally spinning in a smooth, constant motion. His words flowed along with it.
“When we first met, I was so concerned that what happened with Chloe would happen again that I…lied about who I am. I’m…my name is not Nate Parker. It’s Nate Kingsley.”
She sucked in a breath, her lips parting as realization dawned on her.
“Charles Kingsley is my father. He owns GenoTech. I’m a vice-president there. I’m not…a lab assistant. I just…Chloe manipulated me because she wanted the money. She just want ed an easy ride, gravy train. I was so afraid that would happen again, I wanted to make sure you liked me for me.”
He glanced at her, trying desperately to guess her emotions. A flicker of something crossed her eyes, but he couldn’t read it.
“So…”
“Ellie, I am…so sorry. I didn’t intend to mislead you. I just…wanted to make certain you really liked me. The real me. Not just my money. And I…the deeper I fell in love with you, the more this weighed on me. I couldn’t go forward without you knowing. Please don’t hate me.”
Ellie’s gaze fell to the floor of the car as the Ferris wheel swept them around again.
His heart thudded against his ribs as the silence stretched. She finally licked her lips and glanced at him. “Outside of your last name…and your bank account balance…have you been honest about everything else? About how you feel? Your personality?”
“Yes,” he said as he grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Yes, Ellie. You saw the real me. At every turn. The good, and the bad. Everything you saw is real. I just…didn’t want you to know I had money. That’s it.”
She offered him a fragile smile. “Well, I suppose then this isn’t an issue.”
His heart skipped a beat. Had he heard her correctly? “Really?”
“Should it be?” she asked.
“No,” he said with a vehement shake of his head. “No, it’s not an issue. It’s the furthest thing from an issue. Actually, it just…it means I can take care of you the way you deserve.”
“That’s a ridiculous statement,” she answered. “Love isn’t about money or fancy things. It’s about connection. Your honesty means more to me than anything. I fell in love with the man who laughs at my jokes and stands by me, not the name on his bank account.”
He huffed out a breath, his lips curling. “And that is why I fell in love with you. You are an amazing woman. And whether love is about fancy things or not, you deserve the world, Ellie.”
Her eyebrows pinched at the statement, and she flicked her gaze to the floor.
“Ellie?”
She glanced up at him, a slight smile crossing her features. “I’m okay. I just…there is something I should say, too.”
Before she spoke again, the ride slowed to a stop and their door slid open. Elena sucked in a sharp breath before she shifted from her seat and exited the car. He stepped out next to her, sliding an arm around her shoulders tentatively, testing the waters as they strode away from the ride.
“Now, what were you–”
“Ellie!” Maddie’s voice called. He spotted his sister waving as she made her way toward them. His parents meandered behind her.
“Hi, Maddie!” Ellie said with a grin as she reached to wrap the girl in an embrace.
“Are you enjoying the fair?”
“I am, yes,” Ellie answered.
Maddie rubbed the teddy bear clutched in Elena’s arms. “Aw, did Nate win this for you?”
“Yes, he did,” Ellie said as she gripped his arm. “Isn’t he darling?”
His parents reached them, his mother offering him a questioning glance with her raised eyebrows. He offered her a tight-lipped smile and a tiny nod. “Ellie, I wanted you to meet my parents, Charles and Victoria Kingsley. Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Ellie Greenfield. ”
She smiled sweetly at them as she thrust her hand forward. “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, too, Ellie,” Victoria said as she shook her hand. “Well, we were just about to get a funnel cake. We’d love for you to join us, but if you prefer to be alone, of course, we understand.”
Ellie glanced at him as she lifted one shoulder with a smile. “I don’t mind at all unless you had something else in mind.”
Nate shook his head. “No, umm, no, we could take a break for funnel cake.”
“I’ll grab a few. Why don’t you settle at the table there?” Charles said.
Maddie looped an arm through Ellie’s with a cheer. “Please tell me you’ve eaten funnel cake before,” she said as they slid onto the wooden benches at the picnic table.
“I haven’t. I’m not even certain what it is to be honest, but cake is usually lovely,” Ellie said with a grin.
Maddie giggled as she shot her mother a glance. “I told you.”
Elena’s eyebrows shot up. “Have you been tattling on me?”
Maddie chuckled again as she nodded. “Uh-huh. I told my mom you’d never had pizza.”
“My parents were very strict, I told you,” Elena said with a laugh.
“Oh?” Victoria asked as she set her chin in her palm. “I’ll bet they miss you.”
“Oh, yes,” Elena answered, “and I miss them, but I’m having a wonderful time here.”
Nate gazed at her, the corners of his lips turning upward as he rubbed her back. She’d taken his admission in stride, in true easy-going Ellie fashion. And now she sat with his parents and his sister about to share a funnel cake.
Chloe would never have done this, and certainly not with a smile on her face. But Elena grinned ear to ear as though she truly enjoyed the experience.
“How did you two meet?” Victoria asked as Charles returned with the funnel cakes.
Elena’s eyes widened. “Oh, my, that looks interesting.”
“Try it, Ellie,” Maddie said as she tore a piece off.
“With my fingers?”
Maddie nodded as she chewed. “Uh-huh.”
Ellie bit her lower lip as she wrangled a piece of the fried dough away and popped it into her mouth. “Mmm, this is excellent.” She wiped her fingers on a napkin. “Oh, and Mrs. Kingsley, you had asked me a question, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine. I’m not trying to pry.”
“Not at all,” Elena answered. “Nathan and I met at a coffee shop. He actually spilled coffee all over me. But he was very gentlemanly about it. So, you may rest assured that you have raised a wonderful son.”
Victoria beamed at her. “Well, I’m so pleased you think so. Thank you. Nate is a very special–”
“Mom,” Nate warned, “stop making me sound like I’m five. I’m a grown man.”
“And still my first-born son who is very special to me,” Victoria answered as she gave him a pointed glance.
“You’ll always be your mom’s baby, son,” Charles said with a chuckle. “So, Ellie, tell us more about you. What do you do?”
Elena shot him an amused glance before she answered. “Oh, uh, I’m an editor.”
“That pay well?” Charles asked.
“Dad,” Nate said, his tone carrying a warning.
“I’m just asking. It’s not easy for a lady to make it alone in the city these days.”
“Uh, it pays rather well, yes,” Elena said with a nod .
“Her apartment is nice,” Maddie said.
Charles narrowed his eyes at his daughter. “You’ve been there?”
Maddie nodded as she pulled away another piece of funnel cake. “The night you and Mom made Nate take me with him.”
Victoria winced as she shot Elena a glance. “Oh, I am sorry about that, Ellie. We hadn’t realized Nate was going on a date.”
Elena offered her a blank expression. “There’s no need for an apology. I had a lovely time with Maddie.”
Nate wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pleased with how well she accepted his family.
“Still, I’m certain you would have preferred to be alone,” Victoria said.
“And it was like their second date, too,” Maddie said with a chuckle.
Victoria’s shoulders slumped as she pressed a hand against her chest. “Oh, goodness, what you must think of us.”
Elena cocked her head before she shook it. “I don’t think anything at all. Family is very important.”
“Well, that is very kind of you, Ellie,” Victoria said. “I appreciate you being such a good sport about that.”
Elena offered her a sweet smile before she grabbed another piece of the funnel cake. “So, tell me about the Kingsleys. Have you lived in Sterling City all your lives?”
“The kids have grown up here, yes,” Victoria said with a nod. “Charles is also from here. I’m from New Orleans.”
Elena’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh. If I’m not mistaken, that city is quite a bit larger than this one. Is that right?”
“Yes, it is,” Victoria said.
“And which do you prefer? There or here?”
Victoria sucked in a breath, her eyes going skyward. “That’s a good question. Umm, well, I guess when I first moved here, I thought it was a bit small, but I’ve really grown to love it. How does it compare to where you’re from?”
“Oh, I’m from quite a small…town. So, this is much larger, but I am very much enjoying all the amenities. It is a very lovely city.”
“We like it,” Victoria said with a nod.
Maddie wiped her hands with her napkin before she tossed it down. “Ellie, would you like to ride the teacups with me? Mom and Dad won’t go.”
“I would love to,” Elena answered. “Nathan, would you mind terribly?”
“No, have fun. I’ll be right here.” He kissed her cheek before she rose. “Want me to hold the bear?”
“No, you said I had to carry it, so carry it I shall,” she said with a giggle. “Lead the way, Maddie.”
Elena strode away with his sister as Nate smiled after them before he twisted back to glance at his parents. “Well? What did you think?”
Victoria heaved a sigh as she glanced at Charles. “Well, I think she’s very charming, Nate. She certainly seems well-mannered, polite, kind. I know we’ve only talked to her for a few minutes, but I liked her.”
Nate grinned at his mother. “I like her, too.”
“How did she take it when you told her about the hidden identity?” Charles asked.
“Fairly well, I guess. I…told her the reasons, and she asked if those were the only things I wasn’t honest about. I said yes. And she was very understanding. She said it wasn’t an issue as long as I’d been honest with her about how I felt, my personality because love isn’t about money or fancy things, it’s about connection.”
“Well, I would like to get to know her a little better before I make a final call, if that’s okay,” Victoria said. “Why don’t we have her over for dinner? ”
“Yeah, sure, I’d love that,” Nate answered.
“How is next week?”
“Perfect. Yeah, let’s do it,” Nate said as Elena and Maddie returned in a cloud of giggles.
“Did you have fun?” Charles asked.
“Yes, Daddy, we did,” Maddie said as she collapsed on the bench next to Elena, sandwiching her next to Nate. “We spun so much, I’m glad Ellie doesn’t get sick.”
“I’m made of stronger stuff than that,” Ellie answered with a laugh.
“Well, I’m sure you two would like to finish your date, so we’ll let you go, but, Ellie, I’d love to have you at the house for dinner at your convenience. Maybe next week?” Victoria said.
Elena nodded. “Whenever you’d like, just let me know.”
“How’s Wednesday?” Victoria asked.
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
“We dine at seven,” Victoria said.
“I’ll pick you up around six,” Nate said as he slid his arm around her.
“Oh, please come early,” Maddie said. “We can hang out by the pool.”
“Wait, wait, you want to hang out with my girlfriend at the pool while I’m at work?” Nate asked.
“Yeah, I do,” Maddie said.
“Well, why don’t I arrange a poolside mani-pedis for us, and we can chat and get to know each other better?” Victoria said.
“Yeah, Mom, that’d be awesome,” Maddie said with nod.
“Ellie?” Victoria asked as she shifted her gaze to the woman.
“Uh, yes. Just let me know when to arrive.”
“Do you drive?” Victoria asked. “We’re on the outskirts of town.”
“I don’t, but I can find my way there.”
“I’ll send a car for you,” Victoria said as they rose. “Nate, you have her address, right?”
“I do, yes.”
Victoria wrapped an arm around her daughter. “Fine. Let’s say two. That’ll give us plenty of time, and we do dress for dinner, so bring a change of clothes.”
Elena nodded. “All right. Thank you so much for the invitation. I look forward to getting to know you both better.”
Nate wrapped an arm around her as they said their final goodbyes and went their separate ways. “They like you.”
“Oh? I quite like them. You have a lovely family.”
“I’m glad you like them. I had a really nice time tonight,” he said before he settled his gaze on her. “I think, too, you were about to say something when the Ferris wheel stopped?”
“Oh, uh, yes,” she said, flicking her gaze sideways, “only that I wanted to reassure you that what you said…what happened…I completely understand. It won’t come between us.”
He pressed his lips together, his forehead creasing as he dared to hope again for his future. “Ellie, are you sure? I mean…I love that you said that but I just…want to be sure you’re really okay. I did something that…I shouldn’t have done.”
“No,” she said, holding up a hand as she shook her head. “I completely understand. You wanted to be certain. And after the experience you had, you were understandably concerned. You did nothing wrong, only to protect yourself.”
“I think you’re being too easy on me, but I’m taking it.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Can I walk you home?”
“Absolutely,” she said.
“Hey, thanks for agreeing to the whole girls’ afternoon thing. My mom, she…just wants to get to know you. ”
“Of course. I would expect nothing less.”
“I’m glad you’re taking it in stride.”
He dropped her at her apartment with a sweet kiss good night. His walk back to his car, parked at the office, was like walking on a cloud. The weight had lifted from his shoulders. He’d told her the truth, and she’d accepted him.
She hadn’t fled or accused him of being a liar. She’d understood his reasons. Their relationship had withstood the test. He threw his head back and grinned at the stars in the sky.
His drive home took far too long. He couldn’t wait to get there and check his phone for messages. If he didn’t have one waiting from Elena, he’d send her one.
He brought the car to a stop outside the front door and pulled his phone from his pocket. A picture awaited him of her bear next to the carousel he’d bought her after their first date.
With a smile, he typed a message back. He looks good there!
He climbed from his car and pushed through the front door. His footsteps slowed to a stop as he spotted Stephen waiting for him, his arms crossed, his stance wide.
“Hey, Nate, have a good night?”
Nate shook his head, putting his hands on his hips. “What do you want, Stephen?”
“To warn you.”
“About?”
“Don’t get too comfortable, big brother. Because you’re a screw up. And nothing is going to work out for you.”
Nate swallowed hard at the words, but the ones that came next chilled him to the core.
“I’m going to make sure of that,” his brother hissed.
He strode away as Nate stood frozen in the foyer, wondering what his brother would do to ruin his life.