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)
But the dress Michaela had worn at the gallery had made his body burn. Unfortunately, Alice Fletcher put him on a mere simmer.
It wasn’t her fault. It was him. He fully admitted that. The problem, besides her not being Michaela, was that they had nothing in common.
“I’m afraid I don’t get to many shows,” he said with a pleasant smile.
“I love watching the dancing. I take dance classes, but I’m nothing like that.” She put her hands together and gave him a dreamy look. “I do love to dance.”
He politely said, “I’m sure you’re magnificent.”
She laughed. She had a very nice laugh. It wasn’t too loud or squeaky; it was actually quite musical.
“Thank you for saying that. But dancing isn’t one of my strengths, as much as I love it.” Then she regarded him with interest. “You’re an Olympic gold medalist. I bet with the coordination it takes to be a great diver, you’re also a great dancer.”
Troy had to laugh. “I have two left feet, which never hampered my diving, but on the dance floor?” He shrugged as if that were his answer. Truthfully, he could hold his own out there, but only because there were functions at which it was almost a requirement to dance and to do it well to avoid embarrassment.
Oh, but if he had Michaela in his arms…
Then he added, “I’m much better at things like biking, skiing, outdoor activities.”
That was the crux of it. Alice Fletcher loved dancing, Broadway shows, the symphony, and putting together amazing galas for her fundraising. Whereas he liked dirt bikes, trail running, swimming until his limbs ached, and basically anything he could do outdoors. They were worlds apart.
His lack of interest wasn’t only because she wasn’t Michaela.
She was nice and a good conversationalist—better than he was, because she asked most of the questions. But they were too different.
Then, over dessert, she knocked him over with a featherlight question. “So why don’t you take Michaela out on a date?”
His heart started to thump harder, his skin seemed to thrum, and his body felt like it was on fire. “Why on earth would you say that?”
She gave him a lovely smile. “Because she’s perfect for you. She loves all that outdoorsy stuff.” She waved a hand as if he should already know that, but the only thing he wanted to know was what outdoorsy stuff Michaela loved.
Alice’s smile drooped. “Except that she won’t date billionaires.” She shrugged. “Sorry.”
He wanted to dive on her, and not in a sexual way. “Why not?”
A little moue touched her lips. “I’m not sure.”
He went for a nonchalant sip of his coffee, but ended up taking a gulp that burned his throat. Trying to sound as if he didn’t care one whit, he said, “Interesting. I’ll have to ask her. I’m sure there’s a story there.” Had a billionaire screwed her over? Or maybe because she matched for billionaires, she made it a rule not to date one, since they were all potential clients?
But he wouldn’t get any more out of Alice Fletcher. With a smile in his voice, he said, “I presume that if you’re saying I should date Michaela, that means you’re not interested in seeing me again.”
She laughed, not seeming a bit embarrassed. “You’re a very nice man, Troy. But I love going to the city for a night on the town, while you love hiking and being outdoors. I bet you’d be bored silly watching a Broadway show.” She shuddered. “I don’t even own a pair of hiking boots. I hate bugs or sand in my shoes. And don’t get me started on poison oak. I do my workouts in the gym. So, you see, we aren’t a good match at all.”
He reached over to take her hand and squeezed her fingers. “You’re right. Thank you for your honesty. You’re a delightful lady, and I’m sure that Michaela will find the perfect match for you.”
She squeezed back. “I’m sure she will. And I know she’ll find the perfect match for you too.” She winked. What did that mean? Then she sighed. “I hate to disappoint Michaela by telling her it didn’t work out. By now, she must think I’m very hard to please.”
“No worries,” he said. “I’ll tell her.” A good excuse to call. And he hadn’t even forfeited the bet.
Was that a twinkle in Alice’s eye? “It would be so much better if you called her.”
They parted as friends after an amazing meal and good conversation.
But instead of calling Michaela, he decided to wait.
It might be good to let her sweat a little.
Chapter Seven
It surprised Troy to no end that Michaela didn’t call him first thing Friday morning to find out how the date had gone. By noon, an agonizing need to hear her voice swept over him. But Troy understood patience and determination, and he had the willpower of an Olympian. It struck him by midafternoon that Michaela had probably called Alice. But if that were so, why wasn’t Michaela calling him to say she was working on setting him up with someone else?