Chapter 33
you’re like a princess
RILEY
The elevator ride is a blur. My brain is too wired. When I agreed to come to Santi’s birthday, I didn’t expect to feel nearly this nervous.
Hayden tugs on my hand, ripping me out of my thoughts. He looks so good in his white shirt and blue jeans, his hair a mess, as usual. But not even admiring him brings me relief.
He traces my cheek with his fingertips. Heat creeps up the back of my neck. I’m not used to this kind of affection from him.
“You okay?” he asks, ducking his head low. “Your silence is freaking me out a little.”
The elevator stops and the doors open, saving me from having to answer. We step into the hallway, but rather than head for Ines’ apartment, he turns and focuses on me.
“What’s wrong?”
I bite my bottom lip. “I’m worried.”
“About?” He takes my chin between his thumb and index finger and tilts my face up. His dark green eyes shine warmly, a smile lighting up his clean-shaven face. “Talk to me, Ry baby.”
My heart melts at the kindness in his expression, but my apprehension doesn’t fade. “What if people see us together? What about the other guests? What if someone has already taken a picture of us?”
He sighs. “We came separately. We’re okay,” he assures me. “As for other people, the kids’ portion of the party is over. It’ll just be us and Ines and Santi.”
My heart lifts a little. “Really?”
“Really. Ines knows all too well what it’s like to be hounded by paparazzi. She suggested we come after the rest of the guests leave and have our own little party. I agreed it was a good idea.” He holds my gaze. “I’ll do anything to keep you safe. Never doubt that.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” He kisses my cheek, tucks the gift he bought for Santi under his arm, and clasps my hand. “Let’s introduce you to my family.”
It’s comforting and awe-inspiring, the way he cares about Owen’s widow and son. It’s more proof that blood doesn’t make a family. It makes me hopeful we can give our baby the best life.
Our baby… Goodness, it’s still absolutely surreal.
Hayden knocks and flashes me a cute little grin. I smile back, willing my nerves to calm down.
The door opens, and a woman with lively, dark brown eyes and a wide smile greets us. Ines is beautiful. I’ve seen her in plenty of photos, but we’ve never met. Her expression is open and inviting, her gaze warm. There’s not a hint of awkwardness on her face, and it puts me at ease.
“Hey.” Hayden steps inside, guiding me in by the hand.
“Hi.” Her voice is clear and melodic. “So happy you made it.”
“Of course.” He lets go of my hand and quickly hugs her. Then, he steps back and, with a hand on the small of my back, he says, “Ines, this is Riley. Riley, this is Ines.”
I feel his touch through my sundress as if his hand is plastered to my skin.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” I murmur. “Thank you so much for inviting me.”
“You too.” She gives me a quick hug. “I’m happy to have you here. It’s an honor to meet the special someone of a person I care so much about.”
Special someone? I sneak a peek at Hayden, but all I get is a broad smile. Whatever her words mean, they haven’t fazed him.
A little boy with curly chestnut hair, dressed in a white tee and shorts, barrels into the foyer, heading straight for Hayden.
“Tío!” he yells, throwing himself at Hayden’s legs.
Hayden crouches and presses him to his chest. “Happy birthday, buddy.” He moves back and holds out the gift. “This is for you.”
Santi takes the box from him, beaming. It’s clear he’s a happy child, despite the tragedy.
When his eyes find me, his mouth forms a little O. “You’re like a princess.”
That simple phrase sucks all the tension and nerves out of me. Being around kids always brings me comfort. Their energy is so contagious, and Santi is no exception.
Ines laughs, shaking her head. “Santi, honey, this is Riley. She’s Hayden’s friend.”
I crouch to greet him, the curiosity in his dark brown eyes making me smile. “Hi, Santi. Happy birthday.”
“I’m three,” he tells me, proudly puffing out his chest.
“Really?” I widen my eyes and stand again. “Soon, you’ll be bigger than Uncle Hayden over here.”
That comment earns me a snort from said uncle.
Beaming, Santi takes my hand and tugs me farther into the apartment. Ines smiles kindly as I pass, and it saps away the rest of my anxiety. “Tío, come,” the little boy commands.
With a chuckle, Hayden follows us.
The evening goes by quickly and easily. We eat leftover cake and laugh about how ridiculous some of the toys Santi’s friends got him are. The atmosphere is light and bubbly, and my body feels weightless.
Santi doesn’t let us out of his sight. He insists we help him build a LEGO spaceship, and once we do, he asks us to play a game involving a knight and a dragon.
“Okay, who should I be?” Hayden asks. He sits cross-legged on the floor, his cheeks still flushed from their rousing game of soccer in the hallway.
“The dragon. Big and bad,” Santi replies. He breaks into a grin. “I am the knight.”
“You sure are, buddy.”
“And Riley is the princess.” He slips his sticky little palm in mine. “My princess.”
I grin at him. “How could I say no to such a wonderful knight?” I look at Hayden, and when I find he’s already watching me, affection and another emotion I’m too afraid to name overtake me. “Is the big, bad dragon going to kidnap me?”
“Yes.” Santi ushers me to his bedroom, where he instructs me to sit on his bed until he comes to save me.
Hayden joins me a moment later, dropping to the mattress beside me. “Having fun, Ry baby?”
“Uh-huh.” I nod. “You?”
He licks his bottom lip, drinking me in, his eyes bright. “Yeah. I’m having a blast.”
My heart beats quickly, my breaths coming fast. Hands clasped, I work to control my response to him. It’s nearly impossible. I’m full of anticipation.
His focus slides to my lips, and the whole world stops. It’s just me and him, and I’ve never wanted him to kiss me more.
“Where’s Santi?” I ask hoarsely.
“He’s changing, putting on his knight costume. Ines is helping him.” He chuckles. “It’s funny that it took one very observant three-year-old for me to realize you are indeed a princess.”
“He’s very observant for sure, because you are big and…bad.”
“Careful, Ry.” He leans in, our breaths mingling. “You make it sound like a compliment.”
A shiver works its way through me. “Because it is.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, his lips are on mine. He kisses me gently, his intoxicating scent making my head spin, but the kiss is fleeting. Before I’m ready, he rears back, wearing a beautiful smile.
There isn’t an ounce of regret on his face.
“Sorry,” he says. “I couldn’t help myself.”
Little feet thwack against the hallway floor, signaling the moment is over.
And I’m okay with it. That simple kiss gave me hope this is more than just friendship for him too.
Santi rushes into the room, eyes sparkling with excitement. He’s in a helmet, carrying a wooden sword and a shield. “Ready to play?”
Hayden wraps his fingers around mine and squeezes lightly. Then, he stands and winks at the boy. “Always, kid.”
We play until Santi is nearly delusional because he’s so tired. While Hayden reads him a bedtime story, Ines and I sit in the living room, sipping tea.
“Santi likes you,” she says. “I’ve never seen him warm up to a person so quickly.”
“I like him too.” I smile. “He’s amazing.”
Her gaze lingers on me, her expression kind. “So are you. Hayden is like family to me, so I’m happy for him.”
I look around the room. “We aren’t a couple. We’re just…friends expecting a baby together.”
The chuckle that leaves her mouth is soft. “I see the way he looks at you, so I’d say you aren’t a couple yet.” She places her hand on my knee. “He wanted me to meet you, told me you were special.”
Emotion clogs my throat, so I sip my tea, grounding myself.
“Losing Owen was hard on him. They were incredibly close. I can’t imagine what it was like for Hade to find him.
” She presses her hand to her chest, inhaling and exhaling slowly.
She peers at me again, eyes brimming with tears.
“His death shattered our world, but I had to keep going. Santi is my reason why I’m working so hard to get my life back on track.
Hade struggled to find his reason for a long time, but something changed recently.
He smiles more, and it’s not fake or forced.
His eyes are bright and full of life. It wasn’t until a few days ago that I realized it’s because of you. ”
“Thank you,” I murmur, my heart full.
“Just speaking my truth.” She swipes at a tear rolling down her cheek. “And if you decide to do a pregnancy photoshoot, I’d love to take the photos for you. There’s no way I’m going back to working with bands or traveling now that it’s just Santi and me, so I’m working on a new portfolio.”
“I’d love to.”
She shows me a few images she’s taken recently, and I immediately fall in love. Her pictures are full of life. She’s talented, and her work makes it obvious that she loves what she does.
The city lights flicker through the tinted windows as Wyatt takes us back to the penthouse. We had a great time, but I’m wiped. Hayden has been silent since we got in the car. One hand loose on his knee, he drums his fingers absently against the door.
“Thank you,” he says eventually, his voice low.
Frowning, I survey him. “For what?”
“For coming tonight. For being…you.” He meets my eyes. “Santi loves you.” A heartbeat later, a crooked smile pulls at his lips. “So does Ines.”
Warmth unfurls in my chest and spreads through my limbs. “I like them too. Thank you so much for inviting me. I had a great time.”
“I’m glad.”
The moment stretches between us, but the silence is comfortable, full of hope. And when he takes my hand in his, I think maybe Ines was right.