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)
He raised a very skeptical eyebrow. “Perfect? Really?”
He didn’t want to be matched. He probably didn’t care that much about forfeiting the bet. Of course his answer would be no.
Why did that make her happy?
She held up a hand. “Before you say no, let me tell you about her.”
Instead of addressing the date, he asked, “Have you matched Gabby?”
That threw her off track, but she answered him. “I haven’t found the right match for her yet.”
He eyed her for a long moment. “But you managed to find the right match for me?”
She maintained her courage. “Yes, I have.” Even if she hated the whole idea of it. “Alice Fletcher is beautiful. She’s accomplished. She’s intelligent. She runs a nonprofit.”
“Does she pay herself an exorbitant salary?”
“Absolutely not. Most of the money goes to funding her charity programs,” she said defensively. Because this was her client.
She didn’t even get up when she heard her name called. Because she had to say this, even if she didn’t feel it. “I won’t take no for an answer. You agreed.”
He would say no despite that. Her heart pounded in anticipation.
But he smiled. If she hadn’t already been seated, she would have flopped into a chair, because that smile was enough to make her knees weak.
“Beautiful and accomplished? And she gives most of the donations she receives to her programs?” His brilliant blue eyes seemed to sparkle. Was that different than a twinkle? And did either a sparkle or a twinkle mean anything? And then he floored her. “Sure, I’ll do it. Did you and the lady discuss an evening for the date?”
For a moment, she couldn’t address the question. He’d shocked her to the very pit of her stomach, letting loose all those buzzing bees in a swirling, sickening swarm. He was supposed to say no and forfeit. Yet here he was, agreeing to the date. All she could say was, “I heard my coffee called. I’ll be right back.”
But he stood politely. “I’ll get it for you.”
Her mind kept going over it and over it. He was supposed to say no. But he’d said yes. What was she supposed to do now?
When he returned with her coffee, there was only one thing she could do: set up the freaking date. “She’s available Thursday night.”
He hadn’t even asked to see a picture of Alice. He’d simply taken Michaela’s word for it. And he wanted the woman for her beauty, her intelligence, and her philanthropy.
Her mouth kept working even while her brain seemed to be imploding. “Where would you like to go?”
His eyes twinkled. It didn’t matter about the difference between a twinkle and a sparkle. That look meant he was interested.
“How about the Grand Epoque in Saratoga?”
She picked her jaw up off the floor, hoping she hadn’t broken it. The Grand Epoque was the most expensive restaurant in the South Bay. Only San Francisco had anything to rival it. They had a prix fixe menu with four courses for over five hundred dollars. The champagne and cocktails would be on top of that.
But he was a billionaire. And he obviously wanted to impress Alice.
And Michaela was a professional, so she did her job. “I can make a reservation for you. Will eight o’clock be all right?”
“Great.” He gave her that bone-melting smile again. It was like a sunbeam over his whole face, making it shine like a god from Olympus. The man was too good-looking.
And he was going on a date with Alice Fletcher.
“I’ll have Alice meet you there. I find that’s best on a first date. Leave your name with the restaurant’s host so they can escort her right to you.” She wagged a finger at him, as if that was going to help her get control of herself. “Don’t be late,” she said in a singsong voice.
She sounded like an idiot.
But, oh my God, she was jealous.
Then, with a smile and the strongest of wills, she headed out with her coffee and managed not to run.
Chapter Six
Troy watched Michaela go. He could have sworn she was running away. Even if she hadn’t been running.
He’d been hoping to see her at the coffee shop. Yesterday, after his trip down to Matt’s factory to see the prototype and his talk with Walter Braedon, he’d staked out Santa Cruz 9. In case she came in.
Was that pathetic or what?
Maybe not pathetic, just very interested.
The billionaire matchmaker was beautiful. She smelled good. Her skin had been smooth and soft beneath his every touch on Saturday.
And Saturday was why he’d agreed to the date. Gabby had challenged him, and he would not forfeit this bet. Michaela hadn’t found a match for her yet, and that made him the bigger sibling by taking the first date. He couldn’t have Gabby get one up on him if he refused to go out with any woman Michaela selected for him.