of them filed out back into the sunny but cool late winter afternoon. The sun was brilliant, but the air was crisp in the tree-shaded walkway as they headed toward the parking lot. She tightened her wraparound around her, smiling out at the precision-manicured lawns of the baseball fields surrounding the gym. She’d always loved working with the human form, and helping people get better, but she’d really grown to love sports training and therapy in particular. And over the past six months, these baseball diamonds had grown to feel like a new home as well as a new start.
“Where would you like to eat? There’s an amazing pizzeria nearby, but my personal fave is that café right near headquarters. Have you been?”
Of course she hadn’t been. She never went out to eat when she was at work, not when she could just pack her own lunch. “I didn’t even know there was a café nearby, but I’d love to try it out.”
“They have a smoked salmon dish that is amazing. Capers and everything.”
Excitement prickled through her. If she had been to that café before, she’d never splurge for something that fancy. But it would be nice to treat this business lunch as a chance to indulge.
“I already want it. I love seafood.”
“You do? Then there is this other place you need to check out sometime,” Blake said as they hit the parking lot. He stopped walking suddenly, looking over at her. “Do you want me to drive?”
She blinked. “Uh, maybe?” Truth was, she did. The thought of being alone with him in tight quarters was oddly exciting.
He nodded, waving his hand in the air as he headed for a car. At first, she didn’t understand what was happening…until the engine turned over and the car began creeping toward them. A slick, boxy SUV pulled up, matte black and looking like some sort of futuristic take on the crossover between military and consumer vehicles. She furrowed her brow as the SUV slowed to a stop in front of them. Blake opened the back door.
“After you.”
She climbed in, still not entirely sure if this was one of those new-fangled self-driving cars. She wouldn’t put it past Blake. But as she slid into the buttery-soft back seat, she spotted the driver in the front. This wasn’t a robot car. Blake just had a personal driver.
“I like your car,” she said, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear as she settled into her seat. “It’s the fanciest I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Blake said, just as the car began moving—no, floating. It drove softly, as though it was on clouds. “There are only twenty-five like it on the entire planet.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow. Can your car sign an autograph? Because I’m pretty sure it’s a celebrity.”
“I’m pretty sure it could leave a tire print on a piece of paper, which might as well be the same thing,” Blake said with a laugh.
“I’ll take it. Though I doubt I could convince my daughter to think it’s cool.”
“Oh? You have a daughter?”
Something inside her tensed, wondering if there was more to his easygoing question than what she expected. She hadn’t tried dating since her ex—not truly—but she’d always imagined that being a single mother in the dating pool would be complicated, at best.
“Yes,” she answered breezily. “Her name is Mollie. She’s five, and obsessed with anything that resembles a horse.”
Blake laughed. As the car glided into traffic, hardly making a sound, her gaze swept over the lush, matte black interior. This man was not only wealthy, he spent his money—his life—any way he chose. Even this amazing car would probably be discarded in a year for the latest model, just to have new.
She didn’t know why it bothered her so much. She had nothing invested in Blake. No chance at a relationship. But still, the differences between them chafed at her. They weren’t just numerous, they were vast. Engulfing.
Which was for the best, of course.
Because she needed to be smart. Which meant recognizing Blake for what he was.
The most handsome, most ineligible-to-her bachelor of the world.
3
Two days after his “first date” with Michelle, Blake was still thinking about her. Wondering how he could push forward with this stupid bet without making it totally obvious, or weirding Michelle out.
It was clear to him: she was beautiful, respectable, and not only that, a mother. Their first lunch out had been quick and fun, but also revealing. And yes, she was pretty enough to