The Billionaire’s Girlfriend Bet - Leslie North Page 0,13

direction.

Michelle leaped into action. The two of them had been working on a puzzle together after breakfast, with no real direction for their lazy Sunday, so this outing was a welcome intrusion. If they were heading to the youth sports practices, they’d better come prepared. While Mollie continued working on the puzzle, Michelle slipped into the kitchen to prepare a packed lunch for the two of them. She made a PB&J sandwich for Mollie, followed by a grab baggie of grapes, apples, and strawberries. Then she made a turkey and avocado sandwich for herself, with plenty of carrot strips and hummus to dip them in.

She got Mollie changed out of her jammies and the two of them hit the road by eleven thirty. She couldn’t imagine why Blake might need her opinion on the youth league training. The youth league had its own staff, and if Blake wanted the opinion of someone used to working at a higher level, there were two other trainers for the Seagulls, both of them more senior with the team, and more experienced in general.

So is Blake really taking his time to court you, get to know you, and eventually whisk you off your feet?

She sighed, tapping the steering wheel as she drove through the city toward the youth fields, which weren’t far from work. This type of thinking was not helpful and maybe even a little deranged.

But as soon as she pulled up and saw Blake leaning against his fancy, futuristic SUV, waiting for her, she couldn’t deny the very real butterflies in her belly. She also couldn’t stop grinning as she pulled up, relishing the look of him there, casual in sweats and a short-sleeve SEAGULLS tee. He had a Seagulls cap backwards on his head, with trendy sunglasses and a panty-dropping smile waiting for her.

Except for his insane car behind him, he didn’t look at all like a billionaire. No, he just looked like a regular guy. Waiting for his girlf—no, friend—no, colleague to show up. Michelle parked beside him and exited the car to stand on shaky legs. Mollie hopped out of the car a second later, rushing around to hug Blake.

Good thinking, honey. Mommy wants to do the same. Those thoughts were better left unsaid.

“You made it!” Blake said, laughing as he ruffled Mollie’s hair. “Hope I wasn’t interrupting any grand Sunday plans.”

“We were working on a puzzle, and Mommy couldn’t find the right edge piece for the waterfall and she laughed and said that the picture had a tree trunk in it that looked like something she wouldn’t say, and then—”

“Honey,” Michelle interjected, holding up a hand, “we don’t need to go into that much detail.”

But Blake’s grin already stretched ear-to-ear as he assessed Michelle. “I’m kind of interested in the tree trunk part.”

“It was an adult joke. Just for mommies,” Michelle clarified to Mollie. “Now. Let’s go in and see what’s happening, what do you think, honey?”

“Yeah, let’s do it!” Mollie skipped ahead, leaving her and Blake to fall into step as they wandered along the manicured pathway toward the fields. Already she could hear the crack of bats meeting baseballs, the distant cheers and shouts as kids and family members watched the games.

“To answer your question, no, there were no grand Sunday plans. This suggestion was a good way to get us out of the house. We can get cooped up this time of year.”

“And it’s a beautiful day. Especially to play some baseball.” Blake flashed her a grin.

“I’d rather take a long run in weather like this, but I don’t think that’s in the cards today.”

“You’re a runner?”

“Yep. As often as I can be, at least. I’d run a 5k a day if I had the time,” she said with a laugh. And it was true. Running was her go-to. It was the only thing that had gotten her through the darkest times with her ex.

“That’s awesome. I like running, but I’ve never bothered putting in the training for an actual race.”

“Oh, come on. You look pretty fit. Besides, you’re the owner of a baseball team, you must have some workout regimen.”

He snorted. “I wouldn’t call it a regimen…”

“No?”

“The occasional bunch of pull-ups. Two straight weeks of swimming. And then a fierce obsession with tennis. That’s just a small sampling of my workout life.”

She snickered. “Sounds fun, at least.”

“Fun, sure. A little haphazard, too. I’m not sure a professional trainer would endorse my approach.”

“You’d be surprised. As long as you like it, it works for you,