Page 51 of The King's Fake Bride

Amy bites the inside of her cheek. “I can’t afford this place. Not reasonably, at least. I have a good chunk of money in my savings, but I’m sure the lease for this space is beyond that. And then I have to worry about all the startup costs.”

I lean back against the stainless-steel counter. “And what makes you think that you would have to drain all of your money to do that?”

“Because this would be my building. I know that I get a bakery at the end of the deal, but if I were going to purchase this now, Iwould have to drain my savings and then still need more money. I can’t afford it.”

“What if I was going to lease it for you now?”

“What happens when the deal ends? I plan on going back to New Jersey,” she says, looking away from me.

My heart sinks in my chest, even though that was always the case.

We have a deadline, and she’s not going to stay with me.

Not that I should want her to. I was the one who imposed the deadline and the conditions for her returning home. I know that this is going to end.

And yet, there’s still a selfish part of me that wants to keep her here for as long as possible.

I can’t stand the thought of having to say goodbye to her.

At least there are years before that happens.

I clear my throat, crossing my arms so I don’t have to think about what to do with my hands. I haven’t felt this uncomfortable since my coronation. “I know that sitting in the castle every day isn’t going to be enough for you, and I would never ask you to do that anyway. I was thinking that I could purchase the building, and then when the deal is over and you leave, I’ll still buy your bakery wherever you want it.”

She bites her bottom lip. “What if I don’t want to open one yet?”

There’s something in her eyes — a look of longing — that makes me think that isn’t the problem.

I shrug. “It’s not going to hurt my bank any to keep the building in my portfolio. You can take as long as you want to think about it, but if you love this building, say the word and I’ll buy it.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“I’m offering.”

Amy shakes her head. “I don’t know, Xander. This is a lot. And to be honest, I don’t know if I’m good enough. I know that I make good desserts, but opening a bakery is a huge undertaking.”

“And you are more than up to the challenge. I’ve spent weeks eating everything you make, and so has the staff. They’ve been raving about your desserts and the bread you make. If there is one person in the world who should open a bakery, it’s you.”

Her eyes shine with tears as she looks away from me. “I think it might be time to play the orphan card again.”

Understanding flows through me as I pull her into a hug, holding her while she sniffles and presses her face into my chest.

My heart feels tight as I wish that I could take away her pain.

“I know the first big step after my parents passed was the hardest. Then came the realization that I was next in line to the throne. I felt like I was going to throw up every morning when I woke up.”

“And you got over that?”

“Until Yorgos died, and suddenly I was king. I didn’t know how to do it without any of them, and it felt wrong.” I clear my throat, hand drifting up and down her back. “I know it’s hard to keep thinking about doing this without them, but everything is goingto be fine. You’re strong enough to get through this, and your family would be so proud of you.”

She pulls back and looks up at me. “I don’t think I can do this right now. Not with everything else going on.”

“Then I’ll buy the building and keep it for you until you’re ready, whenever that might be.”

Amy wipes her tears. “Thank you. I don’t know if there’s any way to thank you for everything you’ve done for me, but this is incredible.”

“I haven’t done anything else.”

She gives me a wry smile. “I think you brought me back to life.”

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