Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Not that he’d caught up with Troy at all. He’d been all eyes for Flo.
Troy didn’t mention that. “You too, Walter. How about I call you on Monday about a new venture I’ve got going?”
Walter nodded. “I can’t wait to hear.” Then he bowed slightly to Flo.
Still blushing, her gaze on his retreating back, Flo said, “What a nice man.”
Did Michaela see stars in her mother’s eyes? The mother who had refused all of Michaela’s attempts to matchmake for her?
She’d have to tackle her when they got home.
But she didn’t have another moment to think about it before a handsome dark-haired man approached, a blond woman who was probably his wife holding his hand.
Troy slapped hands with the man in a semi-handshake, hugged the lovely blonde, and quickly made the introductions. “Matt Tremont and his wife, Ari.” Then he touched Michaela’s arm as if that were the only way to introduce her, his warm touch sending a shiver through her regardless of how much she didn’t want to react. “Michaela Killian and her mother, Flo.”
They exchanged pleasantries and more idle chitchat, in which they learned that Ari was Gideon Jones’s younger sister, who had been in foster care. And Matt Tremont was another of the famous Mavericks.
They were San Francisco Bay Area icons. Tall, good-looking men who all ran billion-dollar empires. No matchmaking opportunities there, though. Over the last few years, they’d found their true loves all on their own.
Michaela was as happy for them as she could be. And Ari Tremont was a new mother, having had a baby almost a year ago.
Ari patted Troy’s arm. “Matt wasn’t going to bring this up because it’s a social gathering rather than business.” Her smile for her husband was adoring. “But he’s dying to tell you about the prototype. He couldn’t stop talking about it all the way here.”
Matt grinned almost guiltily. “I was going to tell you about it tomorrow. But I got a look at it before we left. You’re going to be amazed.”
Troy clapped a hand on his shoulder. “That’s awesome. I mentioned to Walter Braedon that I had a new venture going and I’d call him on Monday. I’m sure he’ll be interested in the new machine for the gyms in all his hotels.”
“Excellent,” Matt said. “But tell him we want to keep things on the down-low while all the bugs are worked out. And you haven’t even seen it yet.” He raised his hands in the air in a what-gives gesture.
“I’ll be by to see it on Monday, don’t worry. Then I’ll talk to Walter.”
Troy wasn’t just a pretty face. He wasn’t just an Olympic diver. He was also a savvy businessman.
Flo asked the question Michaela had been about to ask herself. “How interesting. We’d love to hear about this prototype.” She winked. “Unless it’s completely under wraps.”
“Don’t tell a reporter about it,” Matt said with a grin.
Troy explained, “Matt owns Trebotics, a robotics company here in Silicon Valley. He and his engineers have been working on a prototype for a new exercise machine for my product line.”
Matt rushed on excitedly, “It’ll do everything. Rowing, treadmill, stair climbing, spinning.” His eyes were bright with enthusiasm, his words almost tripping over each other. “It’s a joint venture Troy and I have been working on for months now. It’s revolutionary. No one will have anything like it.”
Troy laughed. “Until they try to copy it once it’s out.”
“We’ve got the patent,” Matt declared. “But don’t they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?”
Troy squeezed his shoulder. “Nothing will come close to what you’ve created.”
Matt’s smile reached ear to ear. “Thanks, man. This has been a joint effort between our two companies.”
Ari stroked her husband’s cheek. “It’s going to be huge.”
“Congratulations to both of you.” Michaela zipped her lips. “We won’t tell a soul.”
Flo copied her lip-zip, then glanced furtively around them. “I hope there are no reporters picking up on what we said.”
Matt laughed. “I’ve been keeping my eye out. Thankfully, they’re all clustered around Gareth and his paintings.”
True enough. Michaela saw the flock of journalists surrounding Gareth, who looked like he wanted to run. But Clay, Saskia, and Adrian were there too. After this showing, the man was going to shine.
But in her mind, Troy shone too. There was so much more to him than she’d ever imagined. Olympic gold medals, revolutionary exercise equipment, inspiring young people with his story.
How much more could there be to admire about this man?
Still, he was a billionaire. And their real worlds were miles apart.
Chapter Four
Troy spied Fernsby coming out of one of the gallery’s side rooms and assumed that was where his family must be gathered, since he hadn’t seen any of them here in the main room.
Making a beeline for the older man, he waylaid him on his way to the buffet, which was stocked with all manner of delicacies. “I’ve got a couple of lovely ladies to introduce you to, Fernsby.”