Page 11 of Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire

Alex reached over and patted Erin’s hand. “I will always be your friend. No matter what. Okay?”

Grinning, Erin nodded. “I’m glad ’cause I like you.”

He smiled. “I like you, too. And your mommy, as well.”

Erin gazed up at her mother. “Mommy, do you still like Alex?”

Michele laughed. “Yes, I still like him. Though why, I don’t know.”

“I’m irresistible.”Being a prince didn’t ruin our relationship. That’s good. That’s very good.

Choking on a laugh, Michele instead looked over at Erin. “We need to get you a booster seat. You’re not quite tall enough yet.”

“Okay.”

“Alex, would you please get the server’s attention?”

“Certainly.” He lifted an arm and indicated with his fingers for the waiter to come to the table.

A man with short, dark-blond hair, wearing a waiter’s apron, appeared at the table. “Yes, sir. How can I assist you?”

“We need a booster seat for—”

The man smiled and turned his attention to the child. “Erin. Hi, sweetie.”

The little girl didn’t look up, but instead gazed over at her mother. “Mommy—”

Michele’s eyes widened as she looked at her ex-husband. “Um, it’s all right, baby girl.” She looked up at him, her back stiff. “When did you start working here, Ed?”

The man lifted his chin a notch. “Two weeks ago.”

She covered Erin’s hand where it lay in her lap. “See, sweetie, he just works here. He won’t bother us.” She looked up at him again. “Will you, Ed?”

The man stiffened. “No, you’re here for dinner. I’ll get someone else to serve you. I don’t want to violate my R.O.” He turned and stalked away.

“Who was that?” Alex wanted to punch the man and put him on the floor for talking to Michele like that. He fisted his hands under the table.

“My ex-husband. We’ve been divorced for over five years, but he still manages to show up…everywhere.”

Alex reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “Would you rather go somewhere else for dinner? I can even take you to my house. I’m an excellent cook.”

Though it was hard because she felt so protected, she removed her hand from under his and nodded. “Yes. Unfortunately, if I violate the restraining order, they will remove it.” Michele placed her napkin on the table and stood.

They left the restaurant and walked back to his truck.

Michele pointed at the truck. “Ha! I bet you never get it dirty.”

He cocked an eyebrow and leaned forward. “And you would be wrong. I had it detailed today, in preparation for tonight. I didn’t want you to ride in a truck smelling of manure.”

“Really?” She stopped next to the truck and waited for him to open the back door. “This pretty truck? You used it to haul manure?”

He shrugged. “Well, someone had to, and it was my turn. I don’t make my men do anything that I won’t. I might have them do it afterward, but I will prove to them I can doit,whateveritis.”

“That’s not behavior I would have expected from acrown prince.” Her tone was laced with disdain. She picked up Erin and put the seatbelt on her. Then she backed up and closed the door.

He held her door open. “This is exactly why I didn’t tell you sooner. Now, you’re looking at me as Crown Prince Alexander, not as Alex Fedorov. I’m the same man I was when I picked you up for dinner.” He didn’t want her acting differently around him. Admittedly, he had expected awe rather than disdain.

Erin asked from the back seat. “Mommy, what does crown prince mean?”