“There’s something different about you.” She waggled her finger at the window behind him. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with that, would it?”
Kane looked over his shoulder to find his computer screen reflected in the window. Only the shrewdest eye would have been able to pick out Leyla’s social media pictures cast there.
She might have been forgetful sometimes, but Judy would still have made a kick-ass detective.
“Who’s the pretty face?”
If she knew anything about Kane’s previous reputation as a serial dater in Austin, she’d never given it away. Kane’s parents had met girls he was dating here and there, but always accidentally. He’d never had a girlfriend he wanted to bring home to them.
“That’s Leyla.”
Kane hastily closed the page.
“You don’t have to hide it from me.” A knowing smile graced Judy’s perfectly painted lips. “A mother can tell when her son has a crush, Kane.”
“I don’t have a crush,” he said, way too quickly.
Her eyelashes fluttered in confusion. “Because she’s your new employee? Well, she’ll be a contractor. That doesn’t count, really. You can still date her.”
Kane’s turn to be perplexed arrived. “Why are you suddenly interested in my dating life?”
“I’m interested in your social life as a whole. Since you took over your father’s position, I’ve barely seen you outside this building, unless the outing had something to do with ClayFuel in one way or another.”
Kane spread his hands in shock. “I’m doing my job. This is what Dad wanted, and now you’re telling me to hold back on it?”
His chest tightened. He didn’t want to lose his temper with his mother, but it was taking all his effort to not raise his voice. It was a sensitive subject.
“Sweetie.” Judy reached across the desk to pat his arm. “I’m not trying to be hard on you. Yes, I know what Dad wanted, and you’re doing an amazing job. He would be extremely proud.”
Kane dropped his hands. “But you think I should date on top of all the work.”
“I think you should be happy. I want you to be happy, is all. A rounded life leads to that.”
“I have a date tomorrow night.”
The second he said it, Kane knew he shouldn’t have. Because now, his mother would ask that dreaded follow-up question that for some reason he’d forgotten about.
“With who?”
“It’s uh…” Kane cleared his throat.
Damn it.
Judy’s eyes widened. “With Leyla? It’s with her, isn’t it?”
His face hot, Kane rubbed the back of his neck. He hadn’t yet considered who he would let in on his master plan, but if all was successful, his mom would probably need to know the truth eventually.
“It’s not what you think,” Kane said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know the Sharrain expansion plan?” He blew out a hard breath.
“Of course.” Judy sniffed, probably not liking the suggestion that she was anything other than perfectly up to date on ClayFuel’s projects.
“It took a hard turn this morning. Apparently, their King is one hundred percent against drilling there.”
She didn’t even blink. “No matter. We’ll find another way. Everyone can be influenced.”
“I’ve already found another way.”
The excitement of Kane’s plan overwhelmed his worries about what his mother would think. He couldn’t keep the gloating tone from his voice.
“Leyla’s mother was the first cousin of the king of Sharrain. I’m going to ask Leyla to marry me. With a Sharraini wife, and one who’s his relative at that, how can Mabrouk tell me no twice?”
Judy’s lips parted in disbelief. “And how, exactly…”
She never finished her question. Instead, her mouth twisted into a smile.
“How much are you offering her?” she asked.
Surprised at how quickly she’d caught onto his plan, Kane shook his head. “I haven’t gotten that far yet.”
“Hm.” She crossed her legs and stared thoughtfully out the window. “It’s a good idea, but can Leyla be trusted?”
“I’m paying her,” Kane reminded his mother.
“Still.” She gave him a suggestive look.
“And having her sign an NDA, of course. But yes, I know. If this were to get out—”
“It would be disastrous for ClayFuel,” she finished.
“It’s Leyla or no one else.” Kane laughed. “Not unless there’s another young, beautiful, single woman connected to Sharrain’s royal family.”
“So, you think she’s beautiful, hm?” Judy winked.
Kane folded his arms across his chest. “You’re not gonna let that go, are you?”
“She’s gorgeous.”
“And off-limits. Remember?”
Why did he have to remind his mother of that?
“You work hard, Kane. It makes me happier than you’ll ever know to see you helming Dad’s company. But, dear?”
“Yes, Mom?” Kane asked, sure he was walking into some kind of trap.
“Take that stick out of your butt every once in a while.”
Kane burst into laughter. His mother, though all Texan class and pomp, had a way of surprising people when they least expected it. She was one of those people who could probably adapt to anything.
“I spent thirty-four years ignoring my responsibilities and doing as I pleased.” He held up his hand to signal he wasn’t done. “Which was no fault of your own. You raised me well. The point being, I need to make up for lost time.”
“You can do that and still enjoy yourself.”
“I am enjoying myself,” Kane said, feeling like a petulant child.
Whether or not that was the truth didn’t matter. He had too many things on his mind, top of the list being working out the details of his offer to Leyla.
“Keep me updated on what happens.” Judy stood and hooked her purse over her shoulder. “By the way, are you coming with me this weekend?”
“Where?”
Darn. Had they made plans he’d already forgotten about?
“It’s the six-month anniversary of Dad’s death,” she said. “We should visit his grave.”
Kane’s heart sank. How had the time slipped by so fast?
“Yes, Mom. Of course. Let’s text about the specific time later.”
Standing, Kane walked his mother to his office door, where he sent her off with a kiss on the cheek.
Alone once more, he couldn’t fight the natural direction his attention went in. Soon enough, he was back at the computer, scrolling through Leyla’s online profile.
What would she say when he offered her a job as his fake bride? Would she be honored? Hurt that he was more interested in a bogus relationship than a real one?
If it were up to him, there would be room to pursue both avenues with Leyla. Unfortunately, life didn’t always serve up what you wanted.
Chapter 5
Leyla