“I’ll give you my highest recommendation.”
“Thanks, but you’re single and not planning to settle down.” Which was too bad. “Are your friends dating or are they trying to win the bet, too?”
“Neither is pursuing nor dating anyone. Both would be open to meeting someone. The bet doesn’t seem important to them. One forgot about it. The other doesn’t seem to care much about winning.”
Blaise appeared to have justified his actions, but that didn’t make his plan right. She studied him, trying to see beneath the gorgeous outer package. “But the bet is to you.”
He nodded once.
Having the most money was a way for some wealthy clients to quantify their success with spots on a Richest in America list. Though a few shied away from that and didn’t want to be listed or even known to the public. Which was Blaise?
“Do you want to win because of the money or something else?” she asked.
Blaise stared down his nose at her. “What I want doesn’t affect you or anyone else. It’s personal.”
Touchy. He had to be hiding something. “Have your friends mentioned being interested in marriage?”
“No, but they are. Everyone is.”
“You said you weren’t.”
“I was speaking literally. As in right now.” He leaned back in the chair. “But I’m okay whether or not it happens. Marriage has never been a life goal. But my friends? They will be great husbands. This will be a win for all three of us.”
She hesitated. “Maybe, but I have a bad feeling about this.”
“You’re cautious. A planner.” Blaise didn’t miss a beat responding. “That means you should be questioning the situation. And me.”
“I’m past the point of questioning,” she admitted. “My gut is telling me no.”
He sat forward. “Why?”
“How many reasons do you want to hear?”
Blaise laughed. “Henry said you were thorough so I should have known there would be more than one. What’s your biggest reason?”
“Finding matches without your friends’ input and meeting them in person will be impossible.”
“I know both well. We’re close.”
“As a friend, maybe. But you can’t see inside their heads or peek into their hearts.”
“I’m willing to take that risk,” he countered.
“It’s not your reputation at stake.”
“One million dollars. Each.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’ll pay you a million dollars for each of my friends if they marry a woman you pick out for them. If they both marry your matches, I’ll give you a million-dollar bonus.”
Three million dollars?
Shock poured through her. She may have gasped. Most people would with an offer like that. It was a dream-come-true amount. She could sell her condo and buy a house in the Marina District. Not next year or the year after that, but as soon as the money cleared in her bank account.
She placed her hand on her knee to keep her leg from jiggling. That gave her a moment to calm herself. “You’ve got my attention.”
“I filled out the forms for my two friends.” Blaise removed a folder from his computer bag. “I understand you don’t want to travel. I assume because of your family, but you must come to Portland to meet them. I’ll give you a one-hundred-thousand-dollar retainer. That should cover your expenses and time. I’m assuming you have a contract where you can change the amounts per your fee schedule.”
