Four months of dating Libby suddenly didn't feel like long enough.
"Your Majesties." Libby shifted Kenzie against her shoulder and held out a hand toward his parents. "It's so nice to meet you."
The sight of this woman shaking hands with royalty was so adorable that Alex couldn't help but smile.
"You as well," Nicolette said. She held out a finger for Kenzie. "Isn't she adorable. How old is she?"
"Almost three months." When Libby smiled at Kenzie, her whole face lit up. "It's been so much fun taking care of her."
An awkward silent filled the room, but Geoffrey soon broke it by motioning to the couch. "Please, sit down. Welcome to our home."
"It's beautiful." Libby sat down and dropped the diaper bag next to her feet. She fished a pacifier from the bag and popped it in Kenzie's mouth, then started bouncing her up and down. The baby's eyes drooped even lower and in less time than it took Alex to blink, she was out.
This was bizarre. Libby was making casual conversation with his parents like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Sit, Alex," Nicolette commanded, motioning him to the spot beside Libby.
He didn't protest and did as he was told. His mind felt foggy, like he'd entered some sort of twilight zone.
Libby sent a sideways glance his way. "I was under the impression that I'd be meeting with just Alex."
"We thought it'd be easiest to discuss everything together. That way we can all be on the same page," Nicolette said smoothly. "We so appreciate you agreeing to help us out."
"I haven't agreed to anything yet," Libby said, and Alex definitely heard a hint of the spunk he'd witnessed at the café in her tone. For some reason, it made him smile.
"Well, why don't you tell us your concerns?" Nicolette encouraged.
Libby flicked her gaze to Alex once more. "I moved to Durham so I could work for Connie as Kenzie's nanny. I know Maggie says that you'll help with childcare, but I want to take care of Kenzie myself as much as possible. I made a commitment to Connie and I'm not going to break that, no matter how many zeros you put at the end of my paycheck."
Alex's admiration of Libby went up at notch at this declaration. Maybe his first impression of her had been correct.
"Fair enough," Geoffrey said. "I don't think it will be an issue." He glanced at Maggie for confirmation.
"You should be able to take Kenzie with you for most day events," Maggie said. "We'll carefully stage a situation early-on that lets everyone know you're the nanny and not the mother. We won't gain any points with Durhams if they think they're being lied to."
"Huh," Libby said, her tone dry. "People don't like being lied to. Imagine that."
Alex's admiration quickly turned to annoyance. So she was still mad about that. Well, she was being totally unreasonable. They'd known each other, what, less than twenty-four hours when she flipped out on him? If, after they'd first met, he'd held out a hand and introduced himself as His Royal Highness Prince Alexander Geoffrey Richard Edward Charles, she would've called him arrogant and left in a huff. Which proved that you just couldn't win when it came to women.
Maggie smiled uncertainly, glancing back and forth between them. "People will respect that you're committed to your job, Libby. It's relatable, which is why everyone loved you in that photo."
"Most of the formal events are in the evenings," Nicolette broke in. "If you give your schedule to Maggie, we'll make sure to work around your job as much as possible. But when we can't accommodate it, we'll have a nanny from the school we hired ours from look after Kenzie. They are all of the absolute highest caliber and have extensive combat training in addition to childcare knowledge."
Libby ducked her head, but Alex caught a hint of a grin. "I don't think Kenzie will need a nanny trained in combat skills. She's not a ninja or anything."
"You can never be too careful with such precious cargo," Nicolette said.
"I guess that would be okay, yeah." Libby glanced down at Kenzie. "As long as Connie's okay with it, I mean. You'll talk to her about this?"
"Of course," Geoffrey said. "We wouldn't dream of doing anything that would make her uncomfortable."
"Maggie said that Connie would be offered financial compensation for her cooperation."
Geoffrey's jaw tightened. The movement was almost imperceptible, but a lifetime of reading his father's body language had made Alex fluent. Geoffrey thought Libby was being forward. Asking too much, even. Alex had to agree. Connie was already getting a world-class nanny. Not that Libby wasn't great, but these nannies spent nearly a decade in training. What did Connie have to complain about?
"That can be arranged," Geoffrey said. "Maggie, make sure Mrs. … " He trailed off and looked to Libby.
"Ms. Lewis," Libby supplied, emphasizing the title. "Connie Lewis."
"Make sure Ms. Lewis is on board with everything," Geoffrey finished.
"Of course, Your Majesty," Maggie said, tapping away on her tablet. "I'll see that it's taken care of."
"Well, that's settled then." Nicolette clasped her hands together. "Shall we get the lawyers in here so we can sign the contracts?"
For the first time, Libby looked directly at Alex-really looked at him. He felt her gaze down to the marrow of his bones. Every nerve ending seemed to crackle and spark with the intensity of her stare.
He held her eyes, refusing to blink. Whatever she thought about him, he would prove her wrong.
"Four months," she said. "We do this for four months, and then I'm off the hook?"
"If things are going well, it might be prudent to extend the agreement," Geoffrey said. "For all parties involved."
"But I'm not committed," Libby clarified.
Geoffrey rubbed his jaw, but finally inclined his head. "No, you're not committed past that time frame."
"I think that will be plenty of time to turns things around," Maggie piped up. "Let's not worry about anything past then for now."
"Okay." Libby clutched Kenzie a little closer and the baby stirred in her sleep. She took a deep breath, as though trying to calm her nerves, then nodded. "Get the lawyers. I'm ready to sign."
Ten minutes later, both Alex and Libby had signed the documents. He watched as the lawyer put his official seal on the paperwork, an odd sense of finality flowing over him. And just like that, Alex had a fake girlfriend. He fought the urge to tug at his tie again. His last foray into the world of relationships hadn't turned out so well. His chest tightened in panic as he imagined Libby spreading vicious lies about him across the world.
No. It wouldn't happen, because Libby didn't have ten million dollars to pay in reparations if she violated the contract.
"Well then." Geoffrey rose and everyone else did the same. He extended his hand toward Libby. "It's a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Claybourne. We look forward to getting to know you better over the coming months."
"You as well," Libby said. "Thanks for the, uh, job."
Nicolette smiled, but no teeth showed and it looked unnatural. "We'll leave you two alone to get acquainted and discuss the specifics. I'm sure we'll be seeing you again soon, Miss Claybourne."
A girlfriend. They'd have to spend a decent amount of time together to make the relationship believable. Alex nodded farewell to his parents, feeling like he could use a glass of bourbon and a dark room.
"There's a guard right outside this door," Maggie said to Libby once Geoffrey and Nicolette had left. "Tell him to radio me when you're done. We need to get you set up with a secure cell phone before you leave today so we can communicate. I'll email you the details of your first date soon."
Libby hitched the sleeping Kenzie higher on her shoulder, her eyes wide and face a little pale. A boyfriend should probably put his arm around her as a show of comfort or something. But Alex wasn't sure what a fake boyfriend was supposed to do.
"I'm not very good with technology," Libby said. "I've never used it much."
"We'll teach you everything you need to know." Maggie set a gentle hand on Libby's arm. "Don't worry about a thing, honey. We'll take care of everything."
Alex had the ridiculous urge to shout, That's my line! He didn't though, and instead watched as Maggie disappeared, pulling the heavy wooden door shut behind her.
And just like that, Alex was alone with Libby. Well, and Kenzie. They hadn't been alone since the Queen's Garden. Memories of that sunset stroll made his stomach warm.
"So." Libby's light and friendly tone from before was completely gone. She glared. Alex was sure that if she hadn't been holding Kenzie, she'd have her hands on her hips. "Was this your plan all along-trick the naive American woman into dating you?"