The Billionaire’s Girlfriend Bet - Leslie North Page 0,37

the world didn’t exist.

Michelle’s stomach went into a knot as she looked over the menu. Something was definitely off with him. She just hoped it wasn’t the growing confirmation that her fears were correct, that Blake’s commitment to her had lessened now that he’d gotten her into bed.

“What are you getting?” she asked, leaning forward to snag Blake’s attention. The server had started taking orders at the other end of the table.

“Oh, uh…” he pocketed his phone, looking down at the menu as though he’d only recently realized he was in a restaurant. “I haven’t even looked.”

“I think I want everything.” She turned to Mila. “Any recommendations?”

Mila pointed out the scallop dish that she planned to order, which made Michelle’s decision for her. “Done. But that means you can’t get the scallops too, Blake. You have to get something different.”

He didn’t hear her at first and then jolted when she waited expectantly for an answer. Blake smirked, turning to Grayson. “Okay, then, Grayson. You’re picking my meal for me. Consider it my birthday present. Anything but the scallops.”

“Wow. I got off easy with this one. How about…this?” He jabbed his finger at something on the menu, and Blake nodded.

The server came around to Michelle, took her order, and as he turned to move, his elbow grazed the edge of Michelle’s glass of wine. It toppled, but Michelle caught it just in time before the entire thing emptied out onto the table.

“Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry,” the server said, reaching for a napkin on the table to help sop up the spilled wine.

“It’s totally fine,” Michelle said, waving it off. “Seriously, no worries.”

The server took Blake’s order then, offering one last apology to Michelle before rushing off. As Michelle reached out to take another sip of her slightly-emptier glass, Mila gasped.

“There’s wine on your jean jacket,” she said. Mila tutted. “We should clean it now. I’ll be able to get it out easily.”

“Come on. Let’s go to the bathroom.” Jackie sprang to life, ushering Mila and Michelle to their feet.

“It’s okay, I can—” Michelle started.

“Nope. This is an official girl’s trip to the bathroom,” Mila announced, setting her cloth napkin on the table. “Let’s go.”

Mila and Jackie herded her to the bathroom. She giggled once they were inside the individual bathroom, which was practically bigger than Michelle’s living room.

“Okay. Now that we’re all alone,” Jackie said, grabbing Michelle’s hands, “Can I just say how cute you and Blake look together?”

Michelle laughed, feeling the heat creep back into her cheeks. “Aw, thank you.”

“That’s really what we came here for,” Mila admitted, leading Michelle toward the sink. “Well, that, and to get this stain out.” She pulled at Michelle’s jacket, easing it over her shoulders.

“You don’t have to do that,” Michelle started.

“Nonsense. This allows us to gush in the meantime,” Mila said.

“So where did you two meet?” Jackie asked, her eyes alive with curiosity as she crossed her arms and leaned against the countertop.

“At the stadium, actually. Daniel threw a fastball that clocked Blake in the head,” Michelle said with a laugh.

Jackie gasped, covering her mouth. “I would apologize for Daniel hurting your man, but maybe you two wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

Michelle grinned, watching as Mila tended to the jean jacket with cold running water and gentle, circular movements over top of the stain. Blake had told her that Mila worked with clothes and fashion, and if her sleek, fashion-forward ensemble hadn’t tipped her off, then Mila’s careful attention to the stain would have sealed the deal.

“I’m just so happy Blake has found someone,” Mila said, grinning over at her as she turned the water off.

“Yes, well, we’re happy to have found Blake, too,” Michelle said.

“We?” Mila asked.

“Mollie and I,” Michelle clarified. “Mollie is my daughter.”

Surprise washed over Mila and Jackie’s faces in unison. The truth burned through her—for however much Blake had talked about her to his friends, he hadn’t mentioned her daughter. The center of her world—and hopefully a large part of his, if they’d make it that far. So what did that say about the state of their relationship?

“I had no idea you had a daughter,” Mila gushed. “Grayson and I have a son, Ethan—he’s almost four months old. How old is she? We should organize play dates.”

“Mollie is five,” Michelle said. “And she loves babies.”

“That is too cute,” Jackie said. “Let me know when you schedule this—I want in, too. I’ll bring the dog.”

“I knew Blake would do well with someone loving and supportive in his life,” Mila