The Billionaire’s Girlfriend Bet - Leslie North Page 0,14
it keeps you active on a fairly regular basis, and it’s not secretly tearing your meniscus, I think it should be fine.”
Blake snorted just as Mollie reached the black gates separating the stands from the outside walkways. She hopped up and down, holding out her palm as she waited for Michelle to join her and grab her hand. Together they walked inside the sprawling baseball complex, Blake leading the way through the front path bordering the dugouts. The practice fields had space for three separate events to go on concurrently. Two of them had games in progress, while the third seemed to be in use for a more open event. The risers were full of excited parents and family members, cheering for their respective loved ones and watching all the activity.
“Let’s head over here,” Blake said, just before a round of applause erupted above them. “Mollie, would you like to play today?”
Michelle clapped her hands together. “I would love to see Mollie play a game.”
“You think I should play baseball?” Mollie said, looking at her with wide eyes.
“Why not? This is a good time to try it out.”
Mollie looked out at the fields. “But I never played it before.”
“It’s okay. How about I come in with you? I’ll be close by while the coaches show you how it’s done,” Blake offered. To Michelle, he said, “It’ll be T-ball, anyway.”
Michelle’s heart melted as she watched the relief take over Mollie’s face. “You would do that, Mr. Blake?”
“Of course. Let’s go check out the schedule right now. I bet we can slide right in.”
Michelle followed them as they headed toward the gates. Blake spoke with a coach through the gate and a moment later he waved for Mollie to follow him inside.
“They’re doing open practice,” Blake said, sending Michelle a warm smile. “I think now’s the time.”
Mollie hopped after him, waving effervescently at her. “Bye, Mommy! Watch me play! I’m gonna get a touchdown!”
Michelle chuckled into her palm as Blake guided Mollie onto the field. One of the coaches helped outfit her with a helmet, as well as a bat. Each time Mollie looked toward Michelle, she was beaming. Blake stayed close to her, occasionally leaning down to explain something.
Michelle sat on the bottom riser to watch the open practice. This was the youngest group. T-ball stands were set up, with kids trying to hit the balls, all under adult supervision. Further out on the field, kids took turns throwing the balls toward the coaches. Michelle could tell that Mollie was loving it.
Michelle clapped each time something of interest happened, even if a kid just knocked over the tee holding up the ball.
By the time the event wrapped up and the kids began shucking helmets, Michelle met her overly-excited daughter at the gateway.
“Mommy, Mommy, did you see when I caught the ball?” Mollie demanded. Her grin was ear to ear.
“I did, honey. That looked like it was so much fun. Did you enjoy it?”
“I wanna do it all the time!”
Blake grinned, stepping through the gate behind Mollie. “We can arrange that, you know.”
“If you’re ready for a T-ball career, honey, I am obliged to support it,” Michelle said, smoothing her daughter’s flyaways.
“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Mollie said, wrapping her arms around her waist.
“Well, let’s go get some lunch,” Blake said, tipping his head toward the concession stands nearby. “My treat.”
“Oh, no, that’s okay,” Michelle began.
“Come see what they have, at least. I think you’ll be surprised,” Blake insisted.
“Oh, yeah? More salmon with capers options here?” she teased.
“Hey, that reminds me—I need to take you there,” Blake said, a sexy edge to his voice.
Heat rippled through her. There it was—the seed of doubt. The allusion to way more than just getting her professional opinion.
But she was hesitant to bring it up. She should let him bring it up. Because right now, the pendulum of speculation had swung back to the side of “there’s something more here.” And she kind of liked sitting here. If only for a little bit.
“I’m ready whenever you are,” she said, biting at her bottom lip as they walked under the bright sun toward the concessions stands. Blake pointed toward the menu.
“You have to admit, this is the only youth sports field that has pate on the menu.”
She snickered. “Is that your doing?”
“Surprisingly not. I only sponsor these teams. This complex isn’t mine.”
Michelle fought back the grin that threatened to split her face in two. She was impressed by how much he cared about the youth teams, and the fact