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“How’d it go with Esme?” he asked. “Did she believe you?”
“Nope.” Jan gave a shake of her head. “She saw right through it.”
“Leo, too.”
“The press had a lot of questions. I don’t think anyone believes us.”
“Because you don’t think a woman like you would marry a guy like me?”
Her brows furrowed as she turned and stared at him. “Those words are my exact thoughts. But the way you said them you’re denigrating yourself and not me. So I’m confused.”
“I just mean that you’re a serious woman.” Leo’s words echoed in Alex’s head. “You’re far too intelligent for the likes of me.”
“I hadn’t noticed that you were intellectually deficient.”
“To the contrary opinion, I’m not. But the consensus was that if I married at all, it would be to an equally air headed socialite or actress or model. Not a talented business woman.”
“I’m a jilted pie maker from Jersey. I’m pretty sure I’m the one who’s gotten the come-up.”
Alex merged onto the high street. It was the middle of the work day. Not quite lunch. So the roads were fairly tame. They’d be at their destination in under five minutes at this rate. He decreased the car’s speed to prolong the conversation. He wanted to ask Jan a touchy question.
“Speaking of the dead weight you left behind back in Jersey, mind telling me what happened with your ex?”
Jan stiffened in the seat next to him. Her legs went rigid as though she were pressing on the brake to stop the trajectory of the conversation. Or perhaps she was pressing on the gas to get away from him.
“I just think I should know as your current fiancé,” he hedged.
After a long pause, she shrugged. “We’re from the same neighborhood. Our parents all ran in the same social circles. It made sense that we would end up together, but he met a girl at summer camp one year and they were inseparable in high school. She left him after they graduated, and he came back home and settled for me.”
Alex wanted to question that single word; settled. Jan was a prize. Her skill alone would make them a success. But he kept his mouth shut, knowing the story wasn’t finished.
“When his true love came back, he dumped me on our wedding day and married her instead. At our actual wedding. My parents stayed and watched. Well, they’d paid for it, so I supposed they wanted to get their money’s worth.”
“You’re joking?”
She turned to him, pointing at her serious face.
“I’ll promise you this,” he said, putting the car in park and turning to face her. “When it’s time to break our engagement, you can do the honors. Embarrass me however you like. Take your worst revenge fantasy out on me.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?”
“Of course. We’re friends.”
Alex had been on the receiving end of a few exes of his own. Women were crafty when they were spurned. He saw that look in Jan’s eye now. But when she focused back on him, the devilish look melted away.
“I can’t do any of that to you,” she said, disappointment laced in her tone. “We’ll still be business partners.”
Part of Alex wondered what maniacal plan she’d dreamed up. The other part of him was truly scared. He decided to drop it. “Yes, we will, because this is going to be a success."
“I know it will.”
“We’re here.”
Jan turned from him and looked out the window. Her gaze widened impossibly large. Her mouth hung open. The pink flush returned to her cheeks.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Yes,” Alex whispered, his gaze still on her. “It is.”
