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)
Finally, Michaela Killian smiled. It was like the sun, the moon, and the stars—or a good dentist—had all come together to create that exquisite smile. “I’m so glad I was able to help him and his lovely bride.”
Troy snorted. “Help him? You changed his life. They’re still in the honeymoon phase, and it’s been six months. He didn’t get back to me for a couple of weeks after I texted him, or I would have called you sooner.” Troy had been off on a round of speaking gigs that held him up. He’d been so busy, in fact, that he hadn’t had a chance to look up Michaela’s track record. Instead, he’d taken Dirk’s word for it.
“Wonderful. I’m so glad to have happy clients.” He noticed the pencil tapping had stopped. “Tell me what kind of woman you’re looking for.” She flourished a hand toward the sofa, inviting him to sit, as she rounded her desk.
Before he took a seat, he was quick to say, “It’s not for me. It’s for my sister. I’d love to see her in love as soon as possible. Happily in love.”
He and his youngest sister Gabby had a bet. After their middle brother Clay had fallen hard for Saskia Oliver, and their older siblings, Ava and Dane, had already caught the love bug, he and Gabby had made a bet about who would be next to fall in love.
It was a cinch that he would win, because he wasn’t about to take that fall. Dating-wise, he had a carefree life. He wasn’t even close to being ready to give that up. But then, Gabby was a hard case, hell-bent on her career, with a slew of cafés all over the country featuring plant-based menus. She managed her own franchise in Carmel-by-the-Sea and also created most of the recipes, though she encouraged her franchisees to experiment and share their own.
That’s why he needed a matchmaker for Gabby. She’d never find a match on her own and needed a little push, or maybe a big push. He’d love to see his sister happy. And he’d love to win the bet too. The loser had to donate a million dollars to a charity of the winner’s choice. Troy already had his picked out.
As he took the sofa, Michaela sat in a chair, too far away for his knee to accidentally brush hers.
“And what does your sister think about that?”
He chuckled. “Oh, it’s a surprise. But believe me, she’ll love it.”
The smile faded from her luscious lips. “I would never do this without her consent. That would be unethical.”
He waved away the concern. “You don’t have to worry about payment. I’ll take care of that.”
She had very pretty brows, even if they were furrowed. “I’m not worried about payment. But I can’t match a woman who doesn’t know I’m matchmaking for her.” Her voice was stern, like an Old West schoolmarm taking on a bully.
But he wasn’t a bully. “I’m not asking you to set her up with just anybody. I’m concerned about her happiness.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “Then why isn’t she here with you?”
He didn’t say that he needed to keep this on the down-low because Gabby would never agree. But how was he supposed to plead his case? “Look, Mick, I really need this.”
She stiffened. “My name is Michaela. Please don’t call me Mick.”
Oops. She was a bit of a stuffed shirt. Or could only men be stuffed shirts? And how did you win over a stuffed shirt? He had no idea. But suddenly he felt a little desperate. “But you see, we made a million-dollar bet,” he said before he thought better of it.
She stared at him, her mouth slightly open, her parted lips a temptation. Until she said, “Excuse me? Did I hear you correctly?”
Double oops. Maybe the truth wasn’t such a good idea.
Especially when she mumbled under her breath, “That’s absolutely crazy.” Or had it been, He’s absolutely crazy?
Michaela had looked him up when he’d made the appointment and therefore knew Troy Harrington was a billionaire. But a million dollars was a lot of money to throw around on a bet, even for a billionaire.
She tried not to sound judgmental when she asked, “What exactly is the bet?”
Was that sheepishness causing his frown? No, it couldn’t be. Billionaires were never sheepish. “That whoever falls in love first has to pay out a million bucks.”
She couldn’t help the widening of her eyes. Maybe he really was crazy.
And she wanted no part of a crazy billionaire. “I don’t believe I’m the right matchmaker for you and your sister.”
He jumped in almost before she stopped speaking. “The money will go to charity, so it’s for a good cause.”
Honestly, who would bet a million dollars on love, even if it was going to charity? Oh right, a crazy billionaire.