“I doubt it.”
Alex pressed his lips together and blew a huff out of his nose.
“Is this a business deal?”
Alex chewed at the inside of his lip.
“That’s it, isn’t it? You two are opening a restaurant together.”
Alex vaulted from his seat. His toes tingled when they hit the floor as though his extremities had lost feeling. His fingertips felt the same.
“But why?” Leo continued as though he hadn’t noticed his brother’s agitation. Leo had always been one for puzzles. “Why a fake engagement? Unless ...”
Alex paced the length of the room in an effort to wake up his feet. He scrubbed his hands through his hair and over his face to return heat. All the while he avoided his brother’s penetrating gaze.
“Tell me you wouldn’t. You wouldn’t do this to get your inheritance.”
Fire shot through Alex restoring feeling down to his toenails. “I’ve told you before, I don’t want the inheritance.”
“Forgive me if your current actions contradict you. Does she know?”
“Of course, she knows.” Alex slumped back down into the chair. He let his posture go. He let his shoulders cave. “You think I would mislead her?”
By the look on his face, Leo did think that of him.
“We’re not going through with it, the marriage. I have investors. The inheritance is collateral. But the restaurant will be successful by then, and I won’t need to use it. I plan to never use it. I’ll earn my own money in my own right.”
Leo leaned forward, his brows squished together in confusion. “But why the farce? Why not ask me for the money?”
“Hmmm, let me think on that? I can’t imagine why I wouldn’t have come to you. You clearly have so much faith in me and my judgment and my abilities.”
“Alex …”
“Food is the only thing I’ve ever been passionate about in my life. It may be unbecoming as a royal, but all I’ve ever been praised for is my bad behavior. Behavior that’s all staged and fabricated. Did you know that a few months ago, when I was in LA, it wasn’t for the Oscars? I was setting up a food co-op in southern California where the underprivileged have no access to fresh produce.”
“No, I didn’t know that. You didn’t tell me.”
“I didn’t think you’d care. No one seems to care. I got tired of telling the truth years ago because everyone preferred the lie.”
Leo pursed his lips, contrition clear on his brow. Then those same brows furrowed, and he tilted his head. “But you did go to the Oscars.”
Alex threw up his hands. “Of course, I went to the Oscars. I’m not a hermit.”
Leo’s features relaxed, and he chuckled. With the sting gone, a light bit of laughter escaped Alex’s chest as well. Leo might not notice the truth, but Alex knew his brother hadn’t believed the worst of him.
“Alex, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you didn’t think you could come to me with this venture now, and what you’ve done in the past. But, please let me try to help.”
Alex shook his head. His mind was made up. The press often accused him of being selfish and self-centered. For the first time in his life, he was primarily concerned with his own interests, his own benefits. He wanted to do this himself.
“If you really want to help,” he said, “don’t let the press in on the true nature of my engagement.”
“What about Jan?”
His heartbeat quickened at the mention of her name. His belly grumbled at the mere thought of her. “I would never hurt Jan. She’s far too good with a rolling pin.”
“I mean her heart? Women take things like engagements and marriage, even when fake, seriously.”
“I have no interest in marrying, and neither does she. Which is why she’s a perfect partner for me. In business,” Alex made sure to clarify. “Our business relationship will last a lifetime. She’ll be my work wife.”