How to Turn a Frog into a Prince - Bree Wolf Page 0,24

two mixed up.”

Nathanial didn’t know if he ought to believe her. “He truly said that?”

Nodding, she placed a hand over her heart. “I swear on his grave.” The smile upon her face dimmed as though her words only now caught up with her.

Nathanial swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

Drawing in a shuddering breath, she turned back to look at the gardens. “It happened a long time ago.” She glanced up at him. “But sometimes it still hurts.”

Her honesty surprised Nathanial as much as her willingness to show him such a vulnerable side of her. Perhaps it was the mask. Perhaps she felt safe with it on. “My father passed away as well.” For a reason he could not name, Nathanial wanted to restore the balance between them, to offer something in return for what she had shared with him.

Her dark eyes found his. “Were you close?”

Nathanial nodded. “Aside from my brother, he was…my best friend. He knew me like no other.” Where had these words come from? Nathanial couldn’t say.

“But you still have your brother,” she observed, a small smile coming to her lips as she looked up at him. “You have each other.”

Nathanial nodded. Only now, Zach had Becca. It was no longer the same.

“What is it?” the lady asked, her eyes watchful as they swept over his face.

Nathanial shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

She stepped closer, and her hand brushed over his arm. “Tell me.”

Closing his eyes, Nathanial exhaled a sharp breath. Perhaps he could say this to a stranger. “He’s gotten married, and…and I’m an awful person for…for…”

“Feeling regret?” she offered, empathy in her gaze when he opened his eyes once more.

Something in Nathanial’s chest constricted, but he nodded. “She is wonderful, and they’re happy together. I’ve…I’ve never seen him like this.” Shaking his head, he threw his hands up in the air. “But I…”

“You miss him,” she replied as though it were the most natural thing in the world, as though the way he felt did not make him a most despicable brother. “You miss him, and there is nothing wrong with that. We all want to be happy, but sometimes it’s hard. I do believe your brother would feel the same if your situations were reversed.”

Nathanial wanted to believe her. “You don’t even know him.”

The lady shrugged. “He’s your brother, and he loves you. What else is there to know?”

Staring at her, Nathanial felt a rather unfamiliar chuckle make its way up his throat and then past his lips. “You’re an unusual woman,” he observed without thought. However, tonight he was not supposed to be himself, was he?

The smile upon her face deepened, warming the chilled air around them. “Will you twirl with me then?” she asked, a daring tone in her voice. “For only a moment.”

Out of habit, Nathanial shook his head, his feet retreating backward. “I shouldn’t. I…”

“This is not about what you should or shouldn’t do,” she told him, holding out her hands to him. “This is about feeling alive.” She shrugged. “If only for tonight.”

Nathanial’s heart almost beat out of his chest as he contemplated her offer, her words, the temptation she presented. There was something utterly comforting about her as though he had known her his whole life, as though she were his closest confidante, as though he could trust her like no other.

As though she were his friend.

“Very well,” he said, surprising himself. Then he stepped toward her, holding out his hands.

Still, it was the lady who closed the last remaining distance between them and slipped her hands into his, holding on tightly. Her dark eyes met his, and a luminous smile appeared on her face moments before her feet began to move.

Nathanial had no choice but to follow.

And it did feel every bit as wonderful as it had looked.

Chapter Twelve

Between Strangers

Nathanial’s skin felt warm against her own as Charlaine held his hands and her feet began to move. His blue eyes remained on hers, and she could see the corners of his mouth fight to rise into a smile. It was obviously quite unfamiliar to him. No doubt, it felt foreign, and yet, she could see that a part of him longed for the ease and warmth and kindness of a simple smile.

A true smile.

A smile not born out of duty.

But one created in the moment.

Faster and faster, they twirled, their eyes locked, the world whizzing past them as the soft music from inside the ballroom drifted to their ears. “Don’t let go!” she called to him, and his hands tightened on