Bachelor Swap - Lacey Black Page 0,47

I should.”

He nods in understanding as the waiter returns to collect our dishes and offer us dessert. We both decide against it and finish our drinks. “Thank you very much for meeting me for dinner,” he says, reaching for the tab before I can grab the folder. He slips his black credit card into the slot. “My treat.”

“I am more than willing to cover my portion, Jerald.”

“Jerry,” he corrects with a smile. When the waiter returns with the credit card slip, Jerry scribbles his name down on the paper and hands it back.

We walk side by side through the restaurant, heading for the exit. As we approach the hostess stand, the blonde from earlier offers me another flirty grin and slips a piece of paper in my hand. I already know what it is, and if the way she’s looking at me is any indication, my brother has probably already met her after hours a time or two.

Ignoring her and sliding what is certainly her phone number into my suit pocket, I step outside, pleasantly surprised to have made it through the dinner without any of the worrisome shit I’d expected happening. The valet calls for our rides, leaving us standing on the sidewalk alone.

“It’s a shame my daughter is seeing someone. I think you two would make an interesting team,” he says with a jovial smile.

I snort out a laugh. “Well, I believe you mean that as a compliment, but I’m not so sure I believe you.”

He looks at me as his car is brought around. “You’ve always been hard on yourself, Wilder, but deep down, I see the goodness inside you.”

My heart hammers in my chest. Goodness inside me? I don’t feel an ounce anywhere. Not in my head and definitely not in my heart. Except for the place Kyla has rooted, the happiness she brings me growing every day.

I clear my throat. “I’m not so sure about that,” I reply honestly.

Jerald gives me a grin. “I do, Wilder. I see it, and that’s why I’ve agreed to your offer. Even though several have come in, some even more generous than the one we agreed upon, but do you know what? I’m not out to make a fortune. I want to sell for a fair price and know my employees are going to be well cared for. I want someone to take the business I started all those years ago and help it flourish into something even bigger.” He meets my eyes. “And you’re the man to do it.”

I swallow over the lump in my throat and reach out my hand. “Thank you for trusting me.”

Jerald returns the hand gesture, his older hand smaller and frailer in my own. “I’ll see you a week from this coming Monday,” he says, referring to the scheduled meeting at his office to sign the papers for the company.

“I’ll see you then.”

The older man slips into the opened back seat door, offering me a small wave. I spy George rounding the corner, pulling in behind Jerald’s town car. “Hey, Wilder,” Jerald says, pulling my attention away from my own driver. When I meet his eyes, he adds, “If anything changes with that woman you’re seeing, let me know. I’d love to set you up with my daughter.” He laughs and shuts the door, leaving me alone in front of the sidewalk.

“You ready, Mr. Wilder?”

I watch as the older man pulls away, a smile spreads across my lips as he does. I’m not sure the faith he’s placed in me—errr, Matthew—is correct, but it makes me smile, nonetheless. “I am, George. Let’s go home.”

Chapter Fourteen

Kyla

I’m securing the kennel for a new dog we just took in when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. My smile is instantaneous when I see his name across the screen.

Cowboy: Dinner plans tonight?

Me: Nothing planned. What did you have in mind?

Cowboy: Can you be at my place at six?

I glance at the time on the top of the screen, having plenty of time to finish up here, run home, and get cleaned up before I need to be to Matthew’s.

Me: I can. Do I need to bring anything?

Cowboy: Just you.

Another grin breaks out across my face as I shoot back a quick confirmation and slip the device back into my pocket.

“A woman smiles like that only when she’s thinking of a man.”

I turn, startled, and see Debbie standing just off to the side, carrying an older tabby cat. “Oh, I didn’t hear you come in,” I

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