Tempting a King (King Family Romance Book 1) by Isla Drake (small books to read .txt) 📗

Chapter Four

Hannah

When I’m finally finished for the night, my feet and lower back are killing me and I’m exhausted. I’ve managed to get 11 members of the wedding party, along with their significant others settled into their rooms. Only one member is unaccounted for—the best man is going to be here tomorrow morning. Apparently, he had something pressing at work that couldn’t be put off. The bride had seemed annoyed by this fact, but the groom had only smiled good-naturedly. I wonder if the bride and her future husband’s best friend don’t get along, then decide it’s not my business. I just need everyone to play nice until Saturday morning when the happy couple will jet off to Saint Lucia for their honeymoon and the rest of the guests will go back to their normal, boring lives somewhere far from The Jester. I love weddings. I do. They’re just so exhausting. I’m always glad when they’re over.

I find Liam in the kitchen with Finn, bent over a slice of apple pie. There’s an empty plate in front of Finn, evidence that he’s already finished his own pie. I smile at the sight of the two of them. Finn notices me standing there and shoots me a smile.

“Come on in,” he says, standing. “We’re just about finished, but I saved you a plate.”

He gestures at his empty seat. I shake my head. “I’m okay,” I lie, ignoring my growling stomach. “We need to get home. I’m sure Liam has homework.”

“Already did it,” Liam says around a mouthful of pie. I cast a questioning glance at Finn. Usually it’s like pulling teeth to get Liam to do his homework.

Finn smiles as he walks over with a plate of lasagna, still warm from the oven.

“I may have bribed him with pie,” he says sheepishly.

My own smile widens. “I don’t care if you bribed him with a car,” I say. “I’m just glad I don’t have to go home and fight him over spelling words after the longest day ever.”

Finn gestures to his empty chair again. “Sit,” he says. “Eat.” He sets the plate of lasagna down and my stomach chooses that moment to let out a loud gurgle. Finn looks at me as if to say, “See? I told you so.” I roll my eyes but I’m still smiling as I take the offered seat.

Once Finn is satisfied that I’m going to eat, he walks over to the fridge and pulls out a pitcher of iced tea. He pours me a glass as well as one for himself. I’m nearly half-finished with my lasagna and garlic bread before he speaks.

“You were amazing today,” he says. I look up in surprise. My immediate reaction is to shake my head, denying the praise. I did my job, that’s all. I open my mouth to argue, but Finn holds up a hand, stalling me.

“You were,” he insists. “You handled the stressed-out bride, the mean mother of the bride, the groomsman and bridesmaid who clearly hate one another, plus the groom who was completely oblivious to all of it. All without breaking a sweat.” He shakes his head. “I’m in awe. I don’t know how you do it.”

I roll my eyes and wave away the praise. I feel my face heat, so I look back to my plate rather than at Finn who seems to be studying me closely.

“It’s just my job,” I say. “No big deal.”

“Maybe to you,” Finn says. “But I stand amazed.”

The silence stretches between us and I risk a glance at Finn. He’s looking at me with the oddest expression. After all these years, I would swear that I know every expression Finn has, but this one is new. I can’t place it.

“Mom!” Liam’s excited voice breaks into whatever strange spell had settled over the two of us. We both turn to look at him. “Guess what?”

I smile, handing him a napkin. “You’ve got pie on your face?” I say as though it’s my guess. Liam takes the napkin and scrubs at his face.

“No,” he says. “I hit the ball four times in a row!” His excitement is contagious, and I can’t help but grin.

“That’s so great!”

“Yeah,” Liam says, happy to continue with his story. “Mr. Finn helped me. He showed me how to stand right and where to put my feet.” He looks at me solemnly. “It’s not just about the swing, Mom.” I manage not to smile at the utter seriousness of his expression. Instead I shake my head.

“Of course not,” I say.

“I can’t wait to play at P.E. tomorrow,” he says fiercely. I’m sure there’s a story there that I haven’t heard, but I don’t interrupt him to ask.

Liam goes on about his stance and his elbow and keeping an eye on the ball. I listen to every word, smiling and nodding where appropriate, but my mind is focused on the man standing near the counter. Finn. To him, today probably hadn’t been a big deal. But to the little boy sitting across from me, it means the world. Which means the world to me. Liam finishes talking about baseball and goes back to his pie. I turn to Finn.

“Thank you,” I say, softly. He nods once, a little dip of his head.

He holds my gaze for several seconds before blinking. He clears his throat. “Are you kidding?” he says, his voice playful. “I took the afternoon off to play baseball. I should be thanking you and Liam.”

Liam glances up at the sound of his name and grins at Finn who ruffles his hair. I finish my food and lean back in my chair, comfortably full.

“Thanks for feeding me,” I say with a sigh. “It was delicious as always.”

“I’ll tell Andie you said so,” Finn says, referring to the Jester’s chef.

I turn to Liam. “You ready, kid?”

He nods and stands, grabbing his backpack. “Ready!”

“See you tomorrow,” I say.

“Goodnight, Hannah,” Finn says. Something about his words and the softness in his voice makes something inside me