But he couldn’t trust her. She’d proven her insincerity by messing with his feelings back in high school. He reminded himself that she was still a Montgomery. He could not afford to allow his hormones to get involved in what he was proposing—even though what he was proposing was marriage.

Ideas were rapid-firing through his brain, a combination of desperation and the genius driven by a truly excellent vintage. Either he was incoherent and didn’t know it, or he’d actually hit upon the answer to both their problems.

“It’s the only way.” He looked her directly in the eye. “The only way for both of us to get what we want.”

“But I don’t even like you,” she said. “Even if you’re hot.” She put a hand to her mouth. “Oops, didn’t mean to say that.”

Leo cracked a smile despite himself. She might be a little mellowed out and fun now, but it was just a matter of time before her sharp, cutting tongue returned.

“This isn’t about like or any other emotions,” he said in his most practical tone. “It’s a business partnership. Nothing else.” Frankly, he didn’t do anything else. All his past relationships were strictly for fun—if you could even call them relationships.

“Business,” she echoed, staring at her wine. He couldn’t tell if she was starting to lean toward agreeing to this or contemplating how to change the subject. Or murder him.

“Trust me,” he said, “marriage isn’t my style.”

He liked to be positive, upbeat, and to see the best in a situation…in honor of his mother. She’d made him promise to do that. It had taken a lot of effort and discipline, but after years of practice, it had become part of him.

Tessa finally looked up at him. “You’re serious.”

“As a heart attack.” He set down his glass with a clink.

“You’re giving me a heart attack. A marriage and a business partnership are two entirely different things.”

He leaned back in the booth, the soft leather squeaking at the shift in his weight. “They can be the same thing. Think about it. In both, people compromise; they work together; they get things done. Simple.”

She shook her head adamantly. “This type of arrangement only works in romance novels. Historical romance novels,” she added. “It’s archaic. When I marry, it will be for love.”

He scoffed. “Good luck finding Prince Charming in this town.”

“Hey.” She looked offended. “I’m not ashamed to say I want a family one day just because the road there might be difficult.” She paused. “Don’t you? Want a family?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been too busy building my career to think about that.” And having fun. His friends didn’t call him Keep-it-Light Leo for nothing.