"No. You're supposed to actually date her."
Alex snorted, then started laughing. He imagined asking the furious woman from yesterday on a date. "I'm not exactly Libby's favorite person right now. Pretty sure dating her is out of the question."
Geoffrey held up a hand, and Alex fell silent. "You're convinced this is the right course of action?" Geoffrey asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Maggie adjusted her glasses. "We've never seriously discussed a new girlfriend as a solution, because we weren't certain how Durham would react. Well, we can't ask for a more perfect candidate than Libby."
Alex shook his head, feeling like he'd just had the breath knocked out of him. "I've always respected your opinion, Maggie, but this ridiculous. Libby doesn't even like me."
"Money talks," Geoffrey said, waving a hand through the air. "I'm sure we can overcome her concerns with the right offer."
Alex's cheeks heated with humiliation. "You want to pay her to date me?"
Geoffrey didn't even blink. "If that's what it takes."
"And what happens when the public finds out she's being paid to pretend to like me?" Alex demanded.
"We'd put a stipulation in her contract to discourage that from happening," Maggie said quickly. "It would only be for a few months, until Durhams forget about Isla Martin. You'd go to a few key functions together, let photographers catch you in supposedly private moments. Nothing inappropriate," she hastened to add at the look on Nicolette's face. "Grabbing coffee at the Queen's Café, maybe a walk in the park, that sort of thing. Casual events that will help the relationship look authentic."
"It's settled then," Geoffrey said. "Get a contract for me to review by no later than five o'clock. I want us to have this locked down first thing in the morning."
"We'll have to make sure she has access to a proper wardrobe and someone who can tutor her in palace protocol," Nicolette said. "The last thing we need is this woman embarrassing us at official functions."
"Of course," Maggie said. "I'll personally make sure she understands what will be expected of her."
Alex's mind was swirling. His entire body tingled, as though it had gone numb. He hadn't forgotten the fire in Libby's eyes from yesterday. She'd been furious at his deception.
But he also couldn't forget the electricity that had sizzled between them.
"And what if she says no?" he asked.
"She won't," Geoffrey said confidently. "We'll make her an offer she can't refuse. This is what we've been hoping for, son. It's too good an opportunity to pass up."
Alex swallowed hard, then finally nodded. "You're right, of course. If Libby agrees to the terms, I'll do whatever you ask."
"It's settled then," Nicolette said. "Maggie will let us know when the contract has been signed, and then we'll schedule your first public appearance. Now, I'd better be on my way. I'm reading to the children at the hospital this afternoon."
Alex's mind was swirling as he said his goodbyes and left Maggie's office. What had just happened? And what would Libby say when she heard?
CHAPTER EIGHT
When Libby first moved to Durham, she'd hoped the eight-hour time difference would mean limited phone calls with her parents.
She'd been wrong. Libby made a face at baby Kenzie, who laughed loudly from her place on the floor. Connie had gone downtown for a creative meeting with an author, and so it was just the two of them home right now.
Libby's mother paused, and Libby quickly put a finger to her mouth, playfully scolding Kenzie. But Autumn soon resumed her verbal attack of Libby's dad. She'd put the phone on speaker and set it on the floor at least twenty minutes ago, when she'd realized this conversation was going to last much longer than she'd like.
It wasn't that she minded speaking to her parents. She was just sick of being placed in the middle of their marriage problems. Why couldn't they hash this stuff out with a counselor, like a normal couple?
At least Ocean Meadow only had one ancient computer running off a spotty router in the club house, and hardly anyone ever used it. Her parents didn't know that Libby had gone viral, or that everyone thought she was dating a prince. Libby was absolutely certain of this, because if they had seen the articles, they definitely would've confronted her. She'd still be blissfully unaware of her sudden popularity if Connie hadn't shown her the articles.
Kenzie cooed, kicking her legs against the soft minky blanket in happiness. It must be nice to be a baby. So carefree and happy.
Stupid, hot prince with his magnetic eyes and soft smile, causing all kind of unnecessary stress. Cedric had been charismatic, too, when he wanted to be.
He'd also been a cheater, just like the prince.
"So I told your father he was being ridiculous, and of course he could buy deodorant if he was out." Libby had only been listening with half an ear, but her mother's tone had grown heated again. "But then he said I'd bought too many ears of corn at the farmers market. As if this is all my fault. I was just trying to make a decent dinner."
Corn was one of the few things they didn't grow at Ocean Meadow. Libby barely held back a sigh. "If money's that tight, Mom, I can send you something." She mentally reviewed her checking account. It'd be another three weeks before she received her first paycheck, and she only had a hundred dollars to tide her over until then. But her food and board were covered, so it wasn't like she had a ton of expenses.
"No, no," her mother said quickly. "I'm just stressed because we've received another bill from the hospital. But this is our problem, not yours. We aren't about to place this burden on your shoulders."
Then what has been the point of this conversation? Libby wanted to ask but didn't. She was being petty. Her parents had done everything for her. They were loving, selfless people who'd give you the shirt off their back if asked. Now it was Libby's turn to do something for them.
"How have things been since I left?" Libby asked carefully. Her parents were still living in the same nine hundred square foot house she'd been raised in, despite claiming to be separated. Finances were too tight for separate households and neither wanted to leave Ocean Meadow. It had made things uncomfortable for the entire community. No one wanted to take sides. But her parents wouldn't leave well enough alone.
The accident was no one's fault. Her father had been repairing a leak in the roof when he fell through a weak spot, breaking multiple bones. Since adjunct professors didn't qualify for insurance, her parents had none. It had never bothered them before-for the most part, they scoffed at western medicine and used natural remedies for minor illnesses. But compound fractures required a doctor, and the resulting surgeries and hospital stays had completely wiped out their savings.
Her father blamed himself for not being more careful. Libby blamed herself for not warning him off the roof, despite the knot of worry in her stomach. And her mother blamed her father for turning into someone she barely recognized-a man obsessed with money, or the lack thereof.
"Tense, of course," her mother said. "But never you worry about that."
"I'm always worried about the two of you." Libby jangled her bracelets and Kenzie reached for them.
"That's sweet, dear, but we'll be just fine. Now, tell me about Durham."
Once upon a time, Libby had been able to talk to her mom about anything. But that had changed since the accident, too. Her encounter with Prince Alexander wouldn't be a funny anecdote for her mom, but another cause for worry.
"It's wonderful," Libby said. "Kenzie and I visited the palace the other day. You would've loved the throne room. The artistry was amazing."
"Did you leave a penny there?"
Libby's mouth quirked up as she thought about Alex striding across the room, a true knight in shining armor. "Of course."
A sharp knock sounded at the door, surprising Libby. Kenzie cocked her head to the side, her legs still as she listened.
"Your father and I always planned to travel once you were out of the house. Of course that's impossible now with all the bills. We'll probably be one of those unhappy couples with no money to get divorced until the day we die."
Libby picked up Kenzie and walked to the door, holding the phone in one hand. She rose on tiptoes and peered through the peephole. A woman with curly red hair, a navy pencil skirt, and a cream-colored blouse stood in front of two large men in dark suits.
A trickle of unease made its way up Libby's spine. These people definitely weren't door-to-door salesman. They looked like … well, like government officials. Maybe the palace was mad about the photo. But what was Libby supposed to do? It wasn't like she could control Kenzie's stomach.