The Billionaire’s Girlfriend Bet - Leslie North Page 0,55

couldn’t even remember. But one thing was for certain—seeing the visual reminder of her ex didn’t hurt like she’d expected. In fact, it barely registered.

Her ex would always be a part of the tapestry of her history…but he didn’t have to rule it for the rest of her life.

Michelle picked up the old pictures and walked out to the kitchen with the dustpan, feeling oddly determined. No, that part of her life could stay in the past. She was tired of it dictating what she did, and how she related to people.

She popped open the waste bin and dumped all the glass inside, and watched as the old photo fluttered down to join it.

19

Two weeks post-breaking up and Blake thought he might physically dissolve from wanting Michelle.

But he had to press forward and hang onto hope. Hope that he would eventually stop hurting; hope that he might eventually stop thinking about her. Hope that she might eventually want to hear him out, maybe give him another chance.

Pressing forward meant going with the motions for now. And tonight, Saturday night, was a big baseball charity event that he’d previously been looking forward to for weeks, and now couldn’t care less about.

Even DJ Fiesta, who had graciously agreed to be the feature DJ for the event, couldn’t get him excited about the night ahead of him. Because he only wanted Michelle at his side.

He’d picked out his sleekest black suit, one that never failed to pick up his spirits, but when he looked in the mirror, he only wished that he was in his sweat pants on Michelle’s couch.

How did you fall so hard?

The question had been haunting him for weeks. Once he had his tie in place, his phone vibrated. Every inch of him wanted it to be Michelle. But it was his alarm—leave for event.

He pocketed his phone and gave himself a once-over in the foyer before heading for the elevator. It was time to rally. Get his game face on—the happy one that was so hard to muster anymore—and get ready for a night of socializing and picture-taking and meeting his favorite DJ for the first time. Two months ago, this would have been the perfect evening plan.

But not anymore.

Blake’s engine hummed to life once he was inside the SUV. Out on the streets of San Francisco, golden late-evening light bathed the world. At least he could enjoy this beauty. And wasn’t that just the sort of thing that Michelle had taught him? The best parts of life couldn’t be bought.

About halfway through his trip, his phone beeped with an incoming text message.

It was from Michelle.

She’d written a simple, “Hi.”

Blake’s limbs lit up with prickles. He swerved suddenly as he noticed himself drifting out of his lane. Shit. He couldn’t believe it. Was he dreaming? He swiped at his phone, looking between the road and his screen, and there it was. Still.

The olive branch.

His heart hammered as he wondered what to do. With her reaching out like this, there was no way in hell he could do anything else tonight other than go after her. She wanted to talk. She was ready.

And he’d make sure he was there.

So it was a no-brainer. Blake sailed right past the exit for the event without even a backward glance, got off the highway at the next exit, and gunned it for Michelle’s townhouse. He barely breathed for the rest of the drive, each thump of his heart echoing his newly fanned hopes that this would be their second chance to make this work.

Blake pulled into her driveway, suddenly regretful that he hadn’t thought of stopping to get flowers or something for Mollie on the way. But also, he knew anything he could buy wouldn’t matter for Michelle. If she wanted anything from him, it would only be his presence.

He hurried up to the door, trying his best to control his nervousness. Maybe he shouldn’t have come. Maybe she’d just texted to tell him to truly forget about her. Maybe this was all for nothing.

But if Blake had learned anything, it was that he needed to give it his best shot.

Mollie opened the door, her eyes going wide, a big smile overtaking her face. “Mr. Blake!”

And then suddenly she was in his arms, shrieking with excitement. Laughter rolled out of him, emotions cinching his throat. He hadn’t expected this. Not by a long shot.

“Mommy, Mr. Blake is here,” Mollie called as Blake stepped into the house with her in his arms.

And then Michelle