“The thing is, the dog isn’t actually for me either. He’s for you.”

Alexander furrows his brow. “Why would you get me a dog?”

Diem stands up, and the moment she does, Jimmy’s little head pops up to watch her. She steps over to me and scoops the dog up into her arms. “I actually picked him out weeks ago before he was weaned from his mother. I thought a dog might keep you company since I moved out. If I had known you were about to get married, I might have reconsidered buying you the dog.”

Alexander’s eyes flick in my direction, and I instantly throw my hands up in surrender. “Don’t look at me. She knew before she got here.”

His gaze shoots back over to Diem. “How?”

She chews on the corner of her lower lip. “Everyone’s buzzing about it. It seems that the two of you kissed in front of the entire staff of King, and they started researching the shit out of the two of you. They found notice of your marriage license online somehow.”

“Shit,” he growls before scrubbing his hand down his face.

“Here,” she says as she places Jimmy in Alexander’s arms. “They say dogs relieve stress.”

“Diem . . . no . . . I don’t need a dog.” Alexander stands there stiffly, cradling the yellow pup in his arms.

Diem turns and sits back down. “I dare you to resist that face. His name is Jimmy Chew and he’s the most adorable thing on this entire planet.”

He stares down at the tiny ball of fur. Jimmy stretches his neck in order to lick Alexander’s face, which causes him to smile. “He is pretty cute.”

Diem lets out a little squeal. “See! I knew even you wouldn’t be immune.”

I catch myself grinning from ear to ear at the very sight of Alexander holding what quite possibly may be the most adorable puppy on the planet. It allows me to see another glimpse of that easygoing guy I spotted with Yamada the night of Yamada’s party in Vegas—the guy he likes to keep hidden from me and the rest of the world.

“You didn’t want people to know that the two of you were married?” Diem questions with a confused expression as she watches Alexander cradle Jimmy in his arms. “If that’s the case, then you probably shouldn’t have made out in front of fifty people.”

“It wasn’t fifty,” he refutes instantly.

“Same difference,” she counters. “What’s the big deal? You meant to get married, right?” Alexander sighs as he takes a seat next to her. She tilts her head and studies her brother. “You didn’t, did you?”

King’s lips pull into a tight line and then his eyes flick to mine quickly before he turns his gaze to Diem. “No.”

My mouth drops open. I can’t believe he just exposed the secret he’s been hell-bent on keeping. I’m tempted to say something, but stop myself, knowing that it’s his secret. If he trusts his sister with it, that’s his business. I just hope she doesn’t go blabbing about it to the rest of the city.

“Yamada?” She only has to say his name like a question, and it seems to resonate with Alexander.

He nods. “Yes. And now it’s a fucked-up mess. The board will be all over my ass because of that stupid clause Father put in his will if it gets out that Margo and I rushed into this unintentionally. Jack is afraid the board will see it as a weakness, accompanied by poor decision-making, and swoop in to contest my sole authority to make decisions for the King Corporation.”

Diem’s mouth drops open. “They can’t do that, can they?”

“Afraid so, but Margo has agreed to help me convince everyone that we’re a happily married couple.”

Diem turns her attention to me. “That’s really awesome of you, considering I know the two of you don’t really get along so well.”

I open my mouth to reply, but Alexander cuts me off.

“Don’t toot her horn too much, Squirt. It’s not like she’s doing this out of the goodness of her heart. She’s getting something out of it too.”

“Just what’s rightly mine and you know it,” I fire back in my defense.

She lifts her eyebrows. “Oh? Well, I’m still glad she’s doing it. I don’t want you to have any issues with Daddy’s company. I knew it meant a lot that it would be in your hands when he was no longer here. And on that note—” Diem pushes herself up from the couch. “I’d better get going so you two can get ready.”

“Ready?” I asked confused as to what she’s referring to.

“For the King Corporation Education Gala, of course. It’s the company’s biggest event of the year, and they will expect Alexander to make an appearance with his new bride. If you ask me, it’s the perfect time to convince the board that you’re a happy couple.”

“You’re right,” Alexander says as he stands. “I hadn’t told Margo because I didn’t think it would be a good idea to have her there, but it might be best to confront the board head-on before the rumors get to them. Here.” He begins to hand Jimmy back to Diem, but she shakes her head. “Come on. What am I supposed to do with him?”

Diem smiles and begins to backpedal out of the room. “He’s your dog. You’ll figure it out. Good luck, you two.”

Once she leaves the room, Alexander turns to me. “The gala begins at eight. I know it doesn’t leave you much time to get ready, but there are new gowns in your closet that will fit the occasion. I had Aggie pick up a few for you just in case I needed you to accompany me to the gala. Choose whichever one you like.”

As much as I want to argue and tell him that I’m not going, I know that in order to uphold my end of the deal, I need to play my part. A wife would be happy to attend something like this on husband’s arm, so I’ll have to force myself to smile.

I push up from the chaise. “I’ll be ready.”

Alexander nods. “Thank you.” As if on cue, Jimmy barks. “I can’t believe she got me a dog. She knows how busy I am.”

I smile as I lean in and pet the dog. “I think it’s sweet that she cares enough about you to worry about you being lonely.”

Alexander’s gaze locks on mine the moment I glance up at his face. He opens his mouth to say something as his eyes search my face, and this weird tension floats between us. I’m not sure what he was about to say to me, but whatever it is, he’s holding back.

I’m curious as to what it might’ve been, but I don’t ask. Instead, I step around him and head toward my room. “I’ll meet you in the foyer?”

“Seven thirty sharp,” he calls over his shoulder.

As I head to my room, it hits me that living in this apartment with Alexander King hasn’t been anything like I expected. Everything from his relationship with Aggie and Darby to his willingness to give in to his sister has all surprised me. Maybe there is some truth to what Yamada was saying about Alexander having a heart because I’m pretty sure I just caught a glimpse of it back there.

Alexander

STANDING IN THE FOYER OF my apartment, I glance down at my watch. What in the hell takes a woman so damn long to get ready?

Jimmy paws at my leg, begging for my attention. I bend down and scratch the soft fur behind his right ear. “I can’t play right now, buddy. You be good for Aggie while I’m gone.”

Diem’s right. I have a hard time resisting this dog no matter how hard I try.

A sigh escapes me as I stand upright and check my watch again. I hate being late; it’s a pet peeve of mine. I always have to be early. I’m tempted to go to Margo’s room to tell her to hurry her sweet ass up, but before I can decide, she appears at the top of the staircase.

My breath catches at the very sight of her in her black gown. She pauses for a brief second, and our eyes meet just before she descends the staircase. It’s like watching a scene from a movie with her moving in slow motion, as she gets closer and closer to me. She’s pulled her dark hair back, and the style accentuates her gorgeous face. She’s even more stunning than any time I’ve ever seen her before. It’s truly like staring at a piece of art, but I don’t think Diem could even create something so perfect. I can’t pull my eyes away.