“Yes, of course, particularly if there’s a meaty scandal, but, Mia, I can’t imagine there’d be much interest in an old engagement if Juliet weren’t so beautiful and talented, and more famous now than two years ago.”

“That sounds a bit cynical, if you don’t mind my saying. I think people would have seen you and Juliet as the ideal couple, both picture-perfect. And when you didn’t marry, they would have been disappointed and wondered what happened. So let’s get it out of the way. Tell me, did you call it off? Or did she?”

He tapped his beautiful pen on the cheap desktop, and Mia knew he was playing for time to think. Then he smiled, shrugged. “Feeding voters’ curiosity is one thing, but in this political climate, I can’t afford any hint of personal indiscretion out there, present or past. It could be the end of my campaign, if the wrong people disapproved. Very well, I’ll go out on a limb and tell you, but you have to promise me it will be off the record. You have to agree it doesn’t leave this room.”

“If that’s what you want, sure. Off the record then.”

He managed to look both ashamed and embarrassed, actually hung his head. She couldn’t wait to hear what he’d come up with.

Alex tapped his pen on the desk again, dropped it, then shook his head, as if reaching a decision. “The oldest reason in the world, I imagine. I feel stupid about even saying it. I cheated on her. I know this will sound like I’m making excuses, but the fact was she was completely focused on her music, on her next concert, and not much else in the world. And that included me, her fiancé. I was annoyed because she’d broken another of our dates. I met someone, I got drunk, but it was only the one time. I felt like scum about it the next day. I couldn’t lie to her, not Juliet. She’s amazing, but she’s also terribly serious, something of a prude, like her mother, as a matter of fact, but the one thing I didn’t realize was how unforgiving she’d be. I swore to Juliet I’d never see the woman again—and I haven’t—but as I said, Juliet decided she needed only music in her life. If she said anything about all this, well, let me add I wouldn’t expect Juliet to cut me any slack. To her I’d gone beyond the pale, and there was no regaining her trust. When she broke us up, we agreed we would tell everyone it was a mutual decision.”

“It surprises me she agreed to make it seem mutual if she’s unforgiving. I don’t suppose you told your current fiancée, Ms. Barrett, the truth about your breakup?”