He laughed before motioning her inside. “Come in.”
As she passed him, a whiff of his scent surrounded her.
Goose bumps covered her skin. The fragrance tantalized, making her want to inhale again. Maybe she should hold her breath when he was nearby, so she didn’t get distracted. No, because what if she passed out? That would be worse.
She glanced into the living room. The décor was a comfortable mix of stained wood, buttery leather, and a few plaids. Masculine but not mancave. Not all shades of brown and ivory, either. Artwork provided splashes of color. The stacks of books and photographs added a touch of personality. But there was no mistaking the quality of the items.
“You have a lovely home,” she said.
“Thanks.” He glanced around. “Laurel Worthington Matthews deserves the credit. She’s an interior designer.”
Hadley recognized the name. “Laurel is a friend of Henry’s.”
Blaise nodded. “She and her husband, Brett, are here.”
“Is Henry coming?”
“No, he’s babysitting their daughter, Noelle. She was fussy this morning, so Henry stayed with her. Wes and Dash are also here. So are Adam Zeile, one of the six in the bet, and his wife, Cambria.”
As they continued toward the back of the house, a delicious aroma filled the air. Hadley’s mouth watered, reminding her she’d skipped breakfast this morning. “Something smells good.”
Wicked humor lit Blaise’s eyes. “Me or the food?”
She was tempted to say both, but this was a business meeting. No flirting allowed. “The food.”
Her answer didn’t dim his bright smile. “Then I hope you brought your appetite. I hired Dash’s cook, Iris, to cater.”
Hadley hadn’t expected this to be like the potluck, BYOB, game-watching parties she attended. Still, the hair at the back of her neck prickled. The last catered event she’d attended had been a wedding reception. “I can always eat. Even if the fit of my jeans tells me I shouldn’t.”
His gaze ran the length of her, slow and methodical as if not wanting to miss an inch. “Don’t listen to your jeans. You look fantastic. There’s nothing more attractive than a woman who enjoys eating more than rabbit food.”
“Um, thanks.” She stood straighter. That was the second time Blaise had complimented her. Okay, in roundabout ways. If she was here for another reason, she might think he was flirting. But she wasn’t. “I get tired of salads fast but never cheeseburgers.”
They entered a large open space with a kitchen, eating area, and family room. The pregame show played on a huge television screen. A man and woman sat on the large leather sectional. A guy in faded jeans and a hoodie lounged in a recliner, staring at his phone. Based on photos she saw during her research, that must be Dash. Movement outside the French doors caught her attention. Three people stood among the patio furniture and white canvas umbrellas.
This wasn’t that much different from other gatherings.
Except most of the guests here were worth billions.
“Lunch is almost ready.” A pretty young woman checked inside the oven before wiping her hands on her apron. Her hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. Stray tendrils framed her face. Her black shirt and pants coupled with a pink apron gave off a Paris vibe. She extended her arm to Hadley. “Hi, I’m Iris.”
“Hadley.” She shook Iris’s hand. “Everything smells so good. You must be quite a chef.”
“Not a chef yet, but that’s the dream.” Iris grinned, exuding warmth. “For now, I keep Dash fed, his house cleaned, and his errands checked off his to-do list.”
“I could use someone like you in my life,” Hadley admitted.
“Me, too,” Blaise agreed. “Too bad we can’t clone you.”
“No way. I’m one of a kind.” Iris’s green eyes twinkled. “So no talk of cloning when you tech guys, especially my boss, have the resources to pull it off someday.”
A timer buzzed.
“That’s my cue to serve lunch.” Iris grabbed a hot pad off the counter. “Nice meeting you, Hadley.”
“I’ll talk to you later.” Maybe Hadley could find out more from Iris about her boss, Dash.
“Come on.” Blaise’s hand rested at the small of Hadley’s back. “I want to introduce you to everyone else.”
