“Not at all,” Alex offered. “I was very sorry to hear of your grandfather’s passing. He was a bright, humorous man.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes dimmed. “He will be missed.”

“Do you need anything?” Sam asked. Her voice was thick and I realized she was fighting tears. Though it had been over two years since her father’s death, it was obvious that it was just as raw.

“Actually, I do.” Meredith looked at me with large eyes and leaned forward just enough that I got a peek of cle**age. “I was hoping that you, Max, would be one of the pallbearers at my granddad’s funeral.”

I pulled my eyes away from the glimpse of breast and frowned. I had barely known the man and she wanted me to carry his casket?

“Trust me, I know it’s a lot to ask, but we don’t have much family, and to be honest, we haven’t really been in Lilaria long enough to make many friends.” She looked down at the cup in front of her. “I don’t have anyone else to ask.”

I cut my eyes at Alex but kept my face blank. How the hell was I going to get out of this? Funerals gave me the heebie-jeebies and being in the spotlight made me irritable. Center stage at a funeral? Fuck me.

Alex gave a small shrug as if to say there was nothing he could do, but it was Sam who sealed the coffin, so to say.

“Of course he will!” Sam reached out to touch Meredith’s graceful hand. “We wouldn’t leave you alone in a time like this.”

“You don’t mind?” Meredith’s face lit up with relief, her eyes turning to me with hope. “It’s so much to ask and I know you don’t do a lot of public appearances.”

“Um, no, I don’t.” I shot a look at Sam and hoped she could read the promise of torture before smiling at Meredith. “But I can make an exception for you.”

Damn, I meant to say for him, not for her. What the hell was wrong with my mouth? It kept saying things I didn’t mean. I didn’t mean that I would do it because it was for her. Did I? Shit.

“That means the world to me.” She smiled, and the room brightened again. “I owe you big-time.”

That I could work with. There were lots of big things she could do for me . . .

Stop it, I told myself. The last thing I wanted was an erection at the breakfast table. At least not while my brother and sister-in-law were in the room. Now if it was just me, Meredith, and a little raspberry jam . . . Fuck me. I was hard.

“Don’t mention it. A little media won’t hurt me.” I waved my hand. Caskets. Dead people. Media galore. Yep. That killed my excitement.

“Do you need any help with the arrangements?” Sam asked around a mouthful of bacon. You could give her a crown, but she’s still good ol’ Sam.

“I think I have most of everything covered. There is someone from the palace coming to Thysmer Manor to help with the major things.” She looked at her watch. “Speaking of which, I should probably be heading back. Marty has probably made the nanny cry and there is no telling what my fa— my favorite kiddo has gotten into.”

I knew instantly why she had hesitated. She was more worried about leaving her father alone than about what her son was doing to the poor nanny. I couldn’t imagine that little boy being that difficult. All you had to do was sit him in front of his video games and he’d probably never move. How hard could that be for the nanny?

“Let me see you to the door.” I stood and helped pull her chair out.

“I’m sorry for interrupting your breakfast,” she said to Sam and Alex. “I hope I didn’t ruin your day.”

“Not at all.” Alex stood and held his hand out to her. “If we can be any more help, please let us know.”

“Thank you, but you’ve already done enough.” Meredith looked at Sam. “If you need someone to bitch to about being pregnant, I’m your girl.”

Sam laughed. “Oh, you might regret that. I’m not exactly the glowing pregnant woman.”

“Pfft. You look fantastic, but a spa day never hurt anyone.” Meredith raised her eyebrows. “And if you need company, I’m your girl!”

“That we will definitely have to do.” Sam laughed. “But no waxing.”

“Have you ever tried threading?” Meredith stepped next to me, and it felt strange but good to have her petite frame next to mine while we chatted with my brother and his wife.

“Oh hell no. I’m never doing that again.” Sam shuddered.

“I see you have tried it.” Meredith’s laugh was contagious and I felt my mouth pull up into a smile.

“Never again.” Sam shook her head.

“Well, we can stick to the calmer things. A prenatal massage for you.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Sam smiled. “I’ll have Chadwick, my assistant, contact yours.”

“Oh, I don’t have an assistant.” Meredith laughed. “Just tell him to call me and we’ll hash it out.”

“You’re going to need some assistance in the coming days.” Sam frowned. “I could send someone over to help out.”

“No, we’re fine. Besides, the palace has already called me about helping arrange the funeral.” Meredith edged a little closer to the door.

I wondered what had made her uncomfortable. Not that her face showed it in the least. I was beginning to suspect that a lot of today had been a performance. It was the little, real-life moments that let me get a peek at her real emotions.