Page 22 of Royal Charmer
“Hey, Lucas!” Anna calls cheerfully. “We were just talking about you. Have a seat.”
Chapter Seven
Lucas
I take a seat between the two women and look around. “Where’s Gabriel?”
Anna smiles, a secret knowing in her eyes. What is that about? “He couldn’t make it.”
Alice is very occupied with a cherry tart, slicing it in neat quarters. Her cheeks and neck are bright pink. What did she say about me? I told her more than I should have last night about my frustrations with Gabriel and Anna, which is why I’m here now. Damage control.
Anna serves me a cup of tea, still wearing a secret knowing look.
I can’t stand the suspense. “What were you saying about me?”
“Alice hada lotto say,” Anna says.
Alice’s head jerks up. There’s a bit of cherry filling on the corner of her lip, and her pink tongue darts out to lick it. I cannot look away. “I wasn’t sayinga lot,” she protests.
“Yes, you were,” Anna says cheerfully. “Don’t be shy. Tell Lucas your brilliant idea.”
Alice’s jaw goes slack. Anna sends her a pointed look and inclines her head toward me.
“What brilliant idea?” I ask when no one seems likely to fill me in. “Alice?”
Her hand goes to her throat. “I-I mentioned that you’ve been very kind to me.” She drops her hand and picks up her teacup, toasting me with it. “And I’m feeling a little better already.” She takes a sip of tea.
“Oh.” I relax and lean back in my seat, stretching my legs out.
“That’s not all,” Anna drawls like she’s quite enjoying herself.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Whatever you’re so excited about, just say it.”
She takes a sip of tea, her eyes sparkling merrily. “Alice had the brilliant idea of a fake engagement to you.”
Alice shakes her head vigorously. It must be another one of Anna’s outrageous ideas. Her last one—the royal bachelor auction—was a blast.
I turn to Anna. “What in the world are you talking about?”
Anna beams. “It’s perfect. For her, it’ll give her the inspiration for the story she hasn’t been able to write—fake engagements are all the rage—and for you, it would add an air of respect and legitimacy when you go to your meeting with the bankers.”
My mind latches on to the last part. Meeting with the bankers? She’s entrusting me with the raising of capital. “As CEO?” I want the authority and power behind the title, but also to have my name seen as the one leading Villroy forward. I have ideas for further expansion.
“I’ll make you CFO for now. I’ll work on getting you the other title for the future. I think after the baby arrives, Gabriel’s priorities may shift, and he’ll be more amenable to delegating.” She rubs a hand over her stomach, smiling down at it.
I’m torn. Of course I want this opportunity, but why do I need a fiancée? Obviously Anna doesn’t think I can pull it off on my own. I glance at Alice. Her blue eyes are wide and hopeful, her lower lip caught between her teeth. Hell. She needs this fake engagement for her story, and I can’t bring myself to disappoint her after all she’s been through.
I offer Anna my hand. “Deal.”
She gives me a firm handshake back, looking immensely pleased.
I’m less pleased, but I tell myself the ends justify the means. I do want to be seen as the kind of man who is more than his rep. I want to be a man of substance. Society dictates marriage connotes respectability. I didn’t make the rules; I merely play the game.
And it’s not like I’m agreeing to a real relationship. I swore to Alice that I’m a man of honor, which means I won’t be crossing the line with her, no matter how tempted I am. Besides, it’s clear she’s still hung up on her ex. And she’s the worst kind of person for a relationship with me—tenderhearted, vulnerable, overly romantic. My hard realism would not go over well, and I do my best to avoid drama and messy entanglements. Still, we can be friends.
I offer Alice a small smile, and she gives me a shy smile in return. My chest puffs out with pride. Making her smile feels like a triumph every time, knowing the state she was in when she arrived. I can feel Anna’s eyes on me, but I cannot look away from Alice’s sweet smile.
“Ready to play the fiancée game with me?” I ask.
