AS Reas and the Duke got closer to the house, he noticed an unfamiliar land vehicle parked nearby. He frowned a little, wondering if it belonged to one of their neighbors. But that frown vanished the moment he saw who stepped out of it.

It was a tall, lean man with messy blond hair that fell over his eyes. He wore a big, colorful sweater that went down to his knees and black leggings that covered his long legs. At first glance, Reas might not have recognized him. But as he kept looking, he immediately knew exactly who it was.

“Lauren?” he mumbled the name, the word coming out more as a question to himself than a statement.

As if he had heard him even from that distance, Lauren turned his head. His face lit up when he spotted Reas.

“Reas!” he called out, his voice carrying across the yard.

The sound of his voice, clear and familiar, removed the last of Reas’s doubt. It was definitely Lauren.

Reas didn’t wait another second. He moved forward at the same time Lauren started toward him. They met in the middle of the path. Lauren didn’t hold back, wrapping his arms around Reas’s shoulders. Reas held him just as close, leaning his head against Lauren’s neck. He closed his eyes for a second, breathing in the scent he always associated with Lauren. He could feel the warmth and softness of Lauren’s body against his skin.

“I missed you so much,” Lauren said, his voice soft against Reas’s ear as he tightened his arms around him.

“Me too,” Reas murmured, turning his head just enough to press a soft kiss against Lauren’s temple.

The sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted their moment. It was only then that Reas remembered the Duke was also there. He reluctantly let go of Lauren and glanced back. The older man was looking at them with a curious expression, his eyes fixed on Lauren as if studying him.

Reas scratched his cheek, feeling awkward. “Ah… could you maybe go inside first? I’ll, uh, I’ll bring him in and introduce him to you and mom and dad in a minute.”

The Duke was silent for a moment. He looked at them both, his gaze lingering on Lauren once more. Then he gave a single nod and turned, walking toward the house without another word.

“Who was that?” Lauren asked, watching the older man walk away.

Reas turned back to Lauren. Now that the surprise of seeing him here was fading, he remembered the more important question he should ask right now. So, instead of answering Lauren’s question, he asked, “What are you doing here, Lauren? I thought you were busy filming that mini-series?”

Lauren explained it was a four episode series for a well-known documentary channel. It was a biography about an important scientist from a few hundred years ago. The channel wanted to release it as a tribute for the scientist’s death anniversary, and they had signed Lauren to play the lead role.

“I was,” Lauren said. “But the filming wrapped up faster than planned. Since I had nothing else booked right after, and the location was practically next door to Delryria, I decided to come see you. It was sort of last-minute idea.” He smiled at Reas. “So, did you like my surprise?”

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t,” Reas said. He reached out and took Lauren’s hand, holding it. “Of course I’m happy you’re here. More than happy. I’m just a little worried you came all this way with no kind of plan.”

Lauren laughed, a little awkwardly. “I have a plan. I’ll stay here with you, and we can go back to the capital together. And even if I didn’t, what’s wrong with that? Don’t you love it when I’m spontaneous?”

He said the last part quietly, leaning in to press a kiss against the side of Reas’s jaw.

Reas smiled, but it was a helpless sort of smile. That definitely meant Chris had no clue Lauren was here. As much as he was thrilled to have Lauren with him, he couldn’t help worrying it would make Chris like him even less. After a moment, he just shrugged to himself. There’s no point stressing about it now. Lauren was already here. They might as well just relax and enjoy this.

“Just message Chris,” he could only say. “Let him know where you are. We don’t want him reporting you missing.”

Lauren pouted, looking like a kid who had been told to do his homework. “Fine,” he sighed. “I’ll send him a message later.”

“Okay, okay,” Reas said with a low laugh in his voice as he gave Lauren’s cheek a soft pinch. “Come on. Let’s go in. It’s time to introduce you to my parents.”

He took Lauren’s hand and started leading him toward the house.

Lauren blinked. Right. He was going to meet Reas’ parents. The nervousness he had pushed aside came rushing back. He suddenly wondered if he had brought anything to give them as a gift. Oh, right, he had that one thing in his space ring. But would they like it? More importantly, would they like him?

His nervousness must have been obvious, because he heard Reas say, “Don’t worry so much. My parents are pretty easygoing. Trust me, you’re a much more welcome visitor than, well, the General was.”

The General? Oh, right. Lauren had almost forgotten that Astrid was involved with that crazy prince. Although Astrid had said the prince wasn’t really like that. Even so, compared to a royal with that kind of reputation, a normal actor like him had to be a much easier guest for any parents to accept.

Feeling a little more confident, Lauren squeezed Reas’s hand and nodded. “Okay.”

Reas smiled. “You should take off that disguise. I want my mom and dad to see your pretty face.”

Lauren felt his face get warm. He reached up and carefully removed the wig, tucking his real hair back into place. He stored the wig in his space ring. Then, with Reas still holding his hand, they finally stepped through the front door of the Townsend house.

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