The Arrangement .(8)

Alexa lifted one shoulder. “Just be thankful he was in a generous mood.”

“See, I told you there was nothing to worry about,” Xander said, hitting her lightly in the arm with his fist. “So, what are the terms?”

“You’re not gonna believe this,” Alexa began, “but you don’t have to pay him back. Consider it a gift.”

The room grew quiet as Xander digested this bit of information. “Wait a minute. That doesn’t make sense, Lexie.” A frown of worry creased his brow.

“Why would he do that? Leo’s a businessman. Why would he just give me almost a quarter of a million dollars?”

“He doesn’t need the money, Xander. It’s a drop in the bucket for him.

Besides, you’re my brother, and he’s always liked you. I think he just wanted to help, that’s all.” She punched him in the shoulder this time, trying to make light of the situation before he realized there was more to it than what she said. “Isn’t that why you asked me to go instead of you—to make sure you got the money? I’m just a better negotiator than you realized, that’s all.”

Xander eyed her for a moment, then said, “Don’t think I don’t appreciate what you did, but I’m not a charity case. I can pay Leo back. I just couldn’t afford to pay the note in full. I was going to lose everything.”

A cloud seemed to settle over his face as he thought about how he could have lost the bakery once the finance company accelerated the loan. Alexa knew it upset him that he’d been so careless. The fact of the matter was, Xander didn’t have a head for business, and it was time he admitted it and got help.

“Xander, he did have one stipulation to releasing the funds.” Well, two, but she would only mention one. Alexa pulled the check from her purse. “He insists that you get an office manager, and I have to agree with him.”

Xander groaned. “Are you kidding me? Why would I want someone else in my personal business—”

“You don’t have a choice. You missed payments on your business loan, Xander. That’s why the finance company accelerated the loan payment.”

Xander cursed. “I still don’t understand why they would do that. The bakery’s doing well. I just missed a couple of payments.”

And the reminder notices they sent, Alexa thought. He also didn’t pay the electric bill at one point, resulting in a car-screeching dash to the power company so the bakery could be opened on time.

Alexa refrained from reminding him of that episode and all the other incidents she knew about.

“They have a right to do it. It’s written in the contract, so they exercised their right.” Alexa had been surprised, as well, but the clause was right there in black and white. It was a typical stipulation lenders included in loan paperwork. Xander had initialed right next to it.

“Now I have to get an office manager,” Xander grumbled.

“Yes, or you don’t get the check.” Alexa tilted her head. “Would you look at the bright side and stop pouting? You just got free money, and all you have to do is get someone to help you manage it.”

A guilty smile came over Xander’s face. “Sorry about that. I’m being a jerk.” He kissed her on the cheek, and she handed him the check. Looking down at it in awe, he said, “It must be nice to be able to just write a check like this and not have it put a dent in your finances.” He glanced up at Alexa.

“Man, I really owe Leo big time.” Suddenly, his face lit up. “Holy crap! I didn’t even ask you what happened when you two saw each other again. Did you talk about anything besides the loan—I mean, gift?”

This was the perfect opening to tell Xander about the “reconciliation” with Leonardo.

She had never fully explained the reason for her separation from Leonardo. All she’d told Xander was that they decided to go their separate ways because they found they were no longer compatible. He had no idea how insecure she’d felt or the depth of her aloneness as his wife.

“Well, as a matter of fact, things went really well.” Alexa forced a smile to her lips that she hoped looked genuine. “Leo and I talked, and we’re getting back together. I’m moving back into the house tomorrow.”

Xander’s eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.

Alexa kept talking, as he remained speechless. “He wanted … me back, and I recognized that it was a good thing I’d gone up there instead of you, or he and I would never have … realized how we felt about each other.” She stopped looking at him long before she finished the difficult sentence. It was always hard to be dishonest with her brother.