The Prince and the Pie Maker

by Shanae Johnson

  “We have a lot in common, like our love of food.”

  “Similar taste buds do not a lifelong partnership make.”

  “Food is the common language of all human beings.”

  “I thought it was math.”

  “You would.”

  Where did Leo get off immediately dismissing that there could be anything between Alex and Jan? Why was it laughable that she could love him? Come to think of it, Jan had laughed when he’d first proposed.

  “Is this some kind of stunt?” asked Leo.

  “Jan agreed to be my partner in life.”

  “For life?”

  Alex nodded his head. The movement was smooth, certain.

  “I doubt it.”

  Alex pressed his lips together and blew a huff out of his nose.

  “Is this a business deal?”

  Alex chewed at the inside of his lip.

  “That’s it, isn’t it? You two are opening a restaurant together.”

  Alex vaulted from his seat. His toes tingled when they hit the floor as though his extremities had lost feeling. His fingertips felt the same.

  “But why?” Leo continued as though he hadn’t noticed his brother’s agitation. Leo had always been one for puzzles. “Why a fake engagement? Unless ...”

  Alex paced the length of the room in an effort to wake up his feet. He scrubbed his hands through his hair and over his face to return heat. All the while he avoided his brother’s penetrating gaze.

  “Tell me you wouldn’t. You wouldn’t do this to get your inheritance.”

  Fire shot through Alex restoring feeling down to his toenails. “I’ve told you before, I don’t want the inheritance.”

  “Forgive me if your current actions contradict you. Does she know?”

  “Of course, she knows.” Alex slumped back down into the chair. He let his posture go. He let his shoulders cave. “You think I would mislead her?”

  By the look on his face, Leo did think that of him.

  “We’re not going through with it, the marriage. I have investors. The inheritance is collateral. But the restaurant will be successful by then, and I won’t need to use it. I plan to never use it. I’ll earn my own money in my own right.”

  Leo leaned forward, his brows squished together in confusion. “But why the farce? Why not ask me for the money?”

  “Hmmm, let me think on that? I can’t imagine why I wouldn’t have come to you. You clearly have so much faith in me and my judgment and my abilities.”

  “Alex …”

  “Food is the only thing I’ve ever been passionate about in my life. It may be unbecoming as a royal, but all I’ve ever been praised for is my bad behavior. Behavior that’s all staged and fabricated. Did you know that a few months ago, when I was in LA, it wasn’t for the Oscars? I was setting up a food co-op in southern California where the underprivileged have no access to fresh produce.”

  “No, I didn’t know that. You didn’t tell me.”

  “I didn’t think you’d care. No one seems to care. I got tired of telling the truth years ago because everyone preferred the lie.”

  Leo pursed his lips, contrition clear on his brow. Then those same brows furrowed, and he tilted his head. “But you did go to the Oscars.”

  Alex threw up his hands. “Of course, I went to the Oscars. I’m not a hermit.”

  Leo’s features relaxed, and he chuckled. With the sting gone, a light bit of laughter escaped Alex’s chest as well. Leo might not notice the truth, but Alex knew his brother hadn’t believed the worst of him.

  “Alex, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you didn’t think you could come to me with this venture now, and what you’ve done in the past. But, please let me try to help.”

  Alex shook his head. His mind was made up. The press often accused him of being selfish and self-centered. For the first time in his life, he was primarily concerned with his own interests, his own benefits. He wanted to do this himself.

  “If you really want to help,” he said, “don’t let the press in on the true nature of my engagement.”

  “What about Jan?”

  His heartbeat quickened at the mention of her name. His belly grumbled at the mere thought of her. “I would never hurt Jan. She’s far too good with a rolling pin.”

  “I mean her heart? Women take things like engagements and marriage, even when fake, seriously.”

  “I have no interest in marrying, and neither does she. Which is why she’s a perfect partner for me. In business,” Alex made sure to clarify. “Our business relationship will last a lifetime. She’ll be my work wife.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “It’s not real,” said Jan. “We’re faking it.”

  “Yeah, right.” Esme was grinning so hard she reminded Jan of the cartoon Grinch’s smile when he was plotting how to steal Christmas from the Whovillians. Or, better yet, the Cheshire Cat’s faceless grin when he was about to make mischief for an unsuspecting Alice.

  For the last half hour, Jan had been trying to convince Esme of the truth of the relationship between her and Alex. Unfortunately, her BFF wouldn’t believe it. Really, it was worse. Esme, who’d been fixated on fairytales and myths her whole life, was weaving more to the plot than there was present.

  “Essie, we’re doing it so he can get investors for the restaurant we want to build together.”

  “Oh, my gosh.” Esme’s eyes practically rolled into the back of her head. She pressed her hands over her heart and sighed. “If that isn’t the basis for a romantic comedy, I don’t know what is.”

  Esme had long since OD’d on Disney princesses and John Hughes heroines at a young age. The effects had ruined her in adulthood. Now that she was marrying a king and living in a castle, she was a lost cause.

  “This is not a romantic comedy,” said Jan. “It’s not a Hallmark movie. It’s not even an after school special. It’s business. In fact, the only show we should be on is Shark Tank.”

  Unfortunately, Esme didn’t hear Jan’s pitch. “Alex is rich. He doesn’t need investors. And if he did, he could just ask Leo.”

  Actually, that made a lot of sense. Why hadn’t Alex simply asked his brother for the money? Why go through this farce of an engagement?

  “Well …” Jan tried to think back to the reasons Alex gave her. “He said he wants to do it all on his own. Without his family’s money.”

  “So he chooses investors, who have the condition of his inheritance, which can only be accessed after he’s married?”

  “Well …”

  “And he goes a step further to choose an unknown pie maker as his star chef?”

  “Hey!” Jan tossed one of the ornate pillows at Esme. The thing landed with a thunk right in her chest. It served her friend right. “I’m a pretty good chef.”

  “No.” Esme tossed the pillow aside. “You are an amazing chef.”

  “And I’m not entirely unknown. I won Cordoba’s pie making competition last month.”

  “Which was well deserved. You crushed the competition.”

  Jan lost the thread of the argument with Esme agreeing with each of her statements.

  “Do you realize that you’re also the only woman Alex has ever brought home?” She held up two fingers. “Twice.”

  “In a domestic capacity as a chef.”

  “Now you’re engaged.” Esme held up her hands in mock protest. “For pretend.”

  The queen-to-be leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees and her chin on her knuckles. The posture reminded Jan of Esme’s former profession as a kindergarten teacher. This was exactly how she’d look at the kids in her care when they told a tall tale.

  Jan opened her mouth. Then closed it. This conversation was hopeless. No matter how many facts she put forth, how much reason she detailed, Esme would always prefer a fairytale retelling over the hard, cold truth every day. So Jan changed tactics.

  “How are things with you?” Jan asked.

  Esme’s chin dropped to her chest. Her hands dropped to her lap
. She flopped back in her chair and sighed.

  “There’s so much to do. I have to choose ladies-in-waiting. Did you realize there’s still such a thing in the modern age? That’s who was in here before you came. I was interviewing grown women—”

  “To what?” asked Jan. “Wait on you? Dress you?”

  “No, they’re more like personal assistants because being a queen is an actual business, not just a fairytale.”

  Jan bit her lip. She so wanted to tell Esme that she’d asked for this. Now her wild imagination would have to deal with the very real consequences of marrying royalty.

  “They’ll help with my correspondence and organizing events. There are so many charity events. Leo steers me toward the ones for education. There are countless, endless dinner parties, receptions, banquets. I swear, I’ve gained ten pounds in the last month.”

  Jan rolled her eyes. Her friend looked as fit and shapely as ever. She knew the king would have no complaints with his wife’s looks.

  “There’re openings, closings, festivals, funerals. Meanwhile, all I want to do is curl up on Leo’s lap and kiss him all day and night.”

  Jan opened her arms, and Esme came over. She climbed on her friend’s lap and the two snuggled in for a long overdue hug. It was so good to see Esme again. Jan hadn’t thought through the consequences of Esme living abroad. They’d talked every day, even Facetimed while watching a movie last weekend. But she’d missed the physical affection that only a best girlfriend could give.

  “I’m bumbling my way through this, Jan.” Esme sniffled into her neck. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “I am too.” Jan gave her friend the strongest squeeze she could manage.

  Her own engagement might be fake, but her partnership with Alex was real. So was their friendship. Those people, Esme, Alex, Leo, and Penelope, had believed in her more than her own family. They were her family. Nothing fake about it.

  “Jan, you’re here.” Princess Penelope burst in the door.

  Jan almost didn’t recognize the little royal. Every time Jan had seen Penelope the little girl had been in pastel dresses and white cardigans. There had never been a hair out of place on her head or a spot on her clothes.

  Penelope wore jeans and a T-shirt now. The knees of her jeans had mud stains. Her hair was streaming down around her face. She looked like a normal six-year-old girl now, and she flew into Jan’s arms, piling onto Esme so that the three were in a huge hugging pile.

  “I’m so happy you’re here,” said Penelope. “I hear you’re going to marry Uncle Alex?”

  Jan didn’t like lying to the little girl. She looked to Esme and found no help. Instead, Esme raised an expectant eyebrow.

  “That will make you my aunt.” Penelope beamed. “I’m going to have a new mother and a new aunt, and they’re two of my favorite people in the world. I am such a lucky girl.”

  Jan’s heart squeezed. It wouldn’t let any of the words she’d used to dissuade Esme leave her mouth to assault Penelope’s ears. Instead, she changed the conversation again.

  “I brought you something. It’s a very complex recipe. It’s British, so we’ll have to do metric conversions.”

  That did the trick. Penelope’s eyes lit up with delight. The three women headed out and down to the kitchens, and Jan was saved from any more explanations as they began the complex recipe.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next morning Alex waited at the end of the grand staircase. Jan was late. It was unlike the pie maker who lived her life according to exact measurements and kitchen timers.

  Alex’s mind went to the worst possible scenario. What if she’d changed her mind? What if she’d backed out of their deal?

  There were other chefs he could partner with. Celebrity chefs who would jump at the opportunity to work with him. But his body chilled at the idea, his tongue felt fuzzy at the thought.

  Jan got his culinary vision. Not only that, she thrilled him with each new dish she whipped up. She had a command of spices unrivaled by any chef whose table he’d sat at—and he’d traveled the world over. Once Jan traveled and experienced new dishes and spices, she would be even more amazing in the kitchen.

  Alex wanted to be the one to go with her on those adventures. He wanted to be the one sitting beside him as she moaned with delight after each bite. He wanted to know her thoughts on how she’d twist that dish and turn it into something new. But he could do none of that if she’d left him.

  His hands itched to call the airports and ground all flights out of the country. That’s how she’d escaped last time when Esme came to believe Leo was about to marry someone else. Jan had come to him with a handshake and a fare-thee-well two days before she was set to leave.

  He’d been disappointed. There were so many entrées he wanted to introduce her to. So many more desserts he’d wanted her opinion on. But after they’d won the pie making contest, she’d taken the money and gone.

  He hadn’t seen her all night. She’d been sequestered away with Esme. Had Esme talked her out of it? Had the fairytale-totting queen-to-be told Jan to wait for her true love to get engaged to?

  Alex didn’t want to block the path of love for Jan. He knew that any true love headed in her direction would have to take stock in her culinary talents. Which would likely make the man a new chum in Alex’s eyes.

  No one believed in Jan’s skills more than Alex. He was firmly in her camp.

  Of course, that didn’t mean he was her true love. He hadn’t bought into the notion of one perfect woman for one perfect man. He rarely had the same meal twice.

  Except when Jan made it.

  Since he’d been a young boy, Alex had always turned his nose up at the idea of leftovers. He believed plates should be cleared of food. Each meal should be freshly made from scratch the next mealtime.

  But with Jan’s pies, no two ever came out exactly the same. She’d add something new each time, changing the dish slightly. Enough so that he couldn’t wait to taste what came out of the oven next.

  Alex left his mental reverie and looked up when he heard laughter from up high. And there she was.

  Jan came down the stairs with Esme at her side. Relief rushed through him at the sight of her. Then warmth flooded him as he got a good look.

  Jan looked—quite simply—stunning. Alex couldn’t take his eyes off her. He could hardly keep his eyes on her as his gaze traveled down from her chest to her hips. He hadn’t noticed her curves before. They were always hidden beneath an apron.

  She wore a dress that stopped just above her knees. They journey down to her feet was a long, shapely trek. Before now, Jan’s legs were always hidden beneath long pants. Her feet had always been in sensible flat shoes. Today her legs stretched on into tomorrow and were lifted up by heels.

  A throat cleared and Alex looked up into his soon to be sister’s smug grin. Alex straightened his spine and wiped his features clear of emotion. It was too late.

  “Am I overdressed?” Jan asked, frowning down at him as she stepped down the last few stair steps.

  Alex opened his mouth. Sounds came out but no intelligible words.

  Jan looked to Esme. “Did he say underdressed?”

  “You’re perfect,” he mumbled. Of course, she not only heard but also understood him that time.

  A pretty flush spread across her rosy cheeks, and her gaze dipped. If a compliment did that to her every time, he’d have to give her more. For now, he held out his arm, and she took it.

  “You kids don’t stay out late,” Esme called after them. “Who am I kidding, stay out as long as you like.”

  They walked the hall in silence. Alex was conscious of his strides, making sure they weren’t too long and would outmatch hers. Jan’s fingers tensed and released at his bicep, which Alex was subconsciously flexing.

  Finally, they reached his car. He opened the door for Jan and deposited her in the passenger seat. He took long strides around to the driver’s side to join her.

  “Sorry that took so lo
ng,” she said once they were on the road. “Esme insisted on the new dress.”

  “It was worth the wait.”

  Jan shook her head slowly, but he didn’t miss the flush creeping once again across her cheeks. “You don’t have to say things like that. No one’s around.”

  “I mean it. I may be a lot of things, but a liar isn’t one of them.”

  “An exaggerator, maybe? I know I’m not a model.”

  “Definitely not.”

  The light pink turned a deeper shade of red as she turned and glared.

  “Now, don’t murder me just yet. What I mean is, I’ve dated my fair share of models so I can speak with some authority. The stereotype about them is largely true. They’re beautiful on the outside with no substance on the inside.”

  The red was fading from her cheeks, and the pink was starting to blossom again.

  “You’re like a pie,” Alex continued. “Beautiful golden exterior. But prick it, and that’s where all the good stuff is.”

  He was quite pleased with his analogy. He could tell that Jan was too. She’d turned away to hide her bashful grin, but he caught sight of it in the side view mirror.

  “Did they teach you that charm at prince school?” she said.

  “As a matter of fact, yes. Charming pretty pie makers was my thesis.”

  Alex made a right turn after leaving the castle gates. It was a nice enough day to have the top down, but he much preferred to have a conversation with Jan as they drove to their destination. So he kept the top up on the convertible.

  “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.”