64. Alice

ALICE

M ichael hangs up his phone. “I have bad news.”

I lift my head from his lap to look back at him. “What is it?”

He strokes a hand down my hair. “Our flight out is tomorrow.”

I bite down on a smile. “That’s bad news?”

Michael nods. “I was hoping for another week or two here.”

My grin breaks through. “Maybe we can rent it out again.” Then my grin falters when I remember how absolutely broke I am.

Michael pulls on my shoulder, rolling me onto my back, and glides his thumb across my lower lip. “What’s that sudden frown for?”

I heave out a breath and try to sit up, but Michael places his hand on my chest, holding me in place.

“I want to help…” I wonder if there’s a delicate way to talk about this.

He tips his head. “Help with what?”

I lift my hands and let them drop onto my stomach. “With renting this place. Or buying groceries. Or plane tickets…”

Michael shakes his head. “You don’t have to do any of those things.”

“I—” I can’t say this lying down.

Twisting my fingers with Michael’s, I pull his hand to the side so I can sit up.

He lets me this time, but when I turn to face him, he grabs my free hand with his so we’re as entwined as possible.

“I moved into my cousins’ place because the company I’d been working for… closed.” I let my cheeks puff out on an exhale. “I don’t even know if it was bankruptcy or what, but my last handful of paychecks bounced, and I’ve accepted that I’ll never get that money.”

“Baby—” Michael starts, but I squeeze his hands.

“I’m not telling you as some sort of sob story. I just want you to know. And I want you to know I’m not interested in your money.” His lips pull up into the softest smile. “I only want you, Michael. And I don’t expect you to just start paying for my life. Okay?”

He dips his chin. “Anything else?”

I shrug. “I have a little bit of credit card debt, but even with low-income scholarships, I couldn’t afford to go to college, so at least I don’t have student loans.” When Michael starts to frown, I flex my fingers in his again. “That’s a good thing. And learning from you will be better than any college class.”

He sighs. “First, I’ll teach you anything you want to know, but you’ve proven yourself to be an accomplished baker already.” He closes one eye. “Just not so skilled with Jell-O.”

My mouth drops open. “Too soon.”

Michael’s lips twitch.

I can’t believe he brought that up, but it did take that hint of sadness off his features, so I guess it’s okay.

“Second.” He continues. “If you want to take classes, we’ll make it happen.” I open my mouth to retort, but it’s his turn to squeeze my fingers. “Third, you’re mine. And I take care of what’s mine. I know you’re not after my money. And I appreciate that. But you’re the love of my life, Alice, and I’m going to use my considerable fortune to spoil you until the day I die. Even if you had money, I wouldn’t let you spend it.”

“Michael—”

“Fourth, fifth, whatever number we’re on.” He talks over me. “If you want to work, we’ll find something for you to do. But only if you really want to.”

I chew on my cheek. “Like what?”

“Anything.” He thinks for a second. “Maybe something with scholarships.”

A lightness fills my chest. “Really?”

Michael nods. “Yeah. I’ve supported a lot of causes, but I’ve never started one on my own. We could have our own foundation that sponsors culinary students. Do fundraisers, whatever.”

My poor heart thuds inside my ribs. “You mean it, don’t you? You’d really do it?”

He lifts his brows. “What? Like it’s hard?”

I narrow my eyes at the older man before me. “Did you really just quote the movie I think you did?”

“No idea what you’re talking about, Baby Cakes.”

I keep my eyes narrowed for another moment, then use my hold on his hands to pull myself forward until my weight shifts to my knees and I can throw my arms around his neck. “Thank you, my Chef. I love you.”

Warm lips press against the side of my neck. “I love you too.” A beeping sounds from the kitchen. “Now give me a kiss before our dinner burns.”