“Oh my God. You’re the most arrogant guy in the world, aren’t you?”
“Possibly.” He jerked back up. “But I’m also the guy who never loses — and I will prove to you that your agency sucks. I’ll tell you what: If you win, I’ll personally put your damn sign on the door of our office and tell every one of my clients to sign up with you. Hell, I’ll even sign up myself. But if I win,” he said with a wolfish smile, “you’ll personally tell every new client that there’s a fifty percent chance they’ll break up with their partner. Or you move out. I don’t care which.”
Amused, Hailey laughed. “Come on, Connor. Don’t be silly! No one would agree to such a ridiculous – ”
“Deal,” Rachel said tersely, holding out her hand. She knew it was stupid. She knew she should just ignore his provocation. But in the last few months, it seemed all she could do was lose — and she needed a win. Besides, there was no way this man would ever find a woman who loved him! No matter what methods he used! And she needed a push to get her life back on track anyway. Why not officially end her stable-boy phase and start the Prince Charming project? Maybe it would help her be…happy again. Get her life in order. Find a home. She believed in love. Love atfirst sight, at first click, at second touch… She believed it heals all wounds. And by God, she could use that. “I’ve been wanting to try out our agency myself for a long time anyway, to work out any potential flaws. Why not kill two birds with one stone?”
“Um, Rachel…” Hailey said, alarmed, jumping to her feet. “I think we should discuss this with Maddie and…”
“Deal,” Connor echoed, taking her hand. Slowly, he wrapped his large, warm fingers around her hand, his eyes never leaving hers…and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Heat crept from his skin to hers, spreading rapidly through her body…
“Oh my God.” With a smack, Hailey’s hands landed on her cheeks, and Rachel hastily dropped Connor’s hand. “You didn’t seriously just do that. You can’t just… This is ridiculous!” she cried out in disbelief. “You’llbothjustpretendyou’ve found your dream partner. If necessary, you’ll hire actors to say they love you, and no one will be able to decide who the winner is! You’ll have to waityearsto see which relationship lasts longer!”
“She’s right,” Connor muttered, narrowing his eyes. “We need rules so that the bet doesn’t go on forever.”
“No problem. Five candidates, male or female,” she replied calmly, because that was the average number of dates her clients went on to find their perfect match. “Whoever ends up with the most promising candidate wins.”
“But how the hell do you know who that is?” Hailey snapped. “Rachel, you can’t…”
“Izzie and Tara decide,” Connor replied coolly.
Rachel frowned. “Who are Izzie and Tara?”
Hailey ignored her. She was far too busy staring at Connor with her mouth open.
“You want Izzie and Tara to decide? Your best friends, who’ve seen you pick up more women than the AAA has seen cars?”
He stared at her darkly. “There haven’t been that many. And it would be fair, wouldn’t it? They’re friends with you and Maddie, and they’re friends with Cian and me. One believes in your bullshit, the other doesn’t. You know full well they’ll make rational decisions. And Izzie will check if we hire actors.”
Hailey blinked. “Well, yes, but…”
“Why will Izzie do that?” Rachel asked, confused.
“Because she’s a private investigator and extremely skeptical,” she said with a sigh. “She’d find out if you’re cheating. But I still think the idea is stupid! They’re supposed to just ask your new 'friends' if they love you or what? And the one who’s more convincing wins?”
“Yes,” Rachel and Connor answered simultaneously.
Because if Hailey trusted this Izzie and this Tara, she would too.
Hailey groaned. “Maddie’s gone for a morning and the world ends! Seriously, Rachel: Do you even want a boyfriend?”
She blinked. Well…not necessarily right now. But just because it hadn’t happened yet didn't mean it couldn't still happen. In the long run, she definitely wanted to get married and have children. She had always known that. Why not change the long run to a short run? It would be nice to meet a man who wouldn’t bore her after a few months like her other relationships. Someone who supported her, made her feel like she belonged somewhere…
“Sure. I’d really like to meet someone. Marriage, kids, the whole package,” she stated calmly. She turned to Connor and smiled sweetly. “What about you? Ready to leave your cynical bachelor life behind?”
He shrugged, unperturbed. “I wouldn’t mind a long-term relationship, if it’s with the right woman. Marriage is bullshit. But the right woman will know that, which is why I don’t see a problem with it.”
Rachel smiled. The man was so ridiculously full of himself that he could only fail. She would damn well make sure of that.
“Then we’ve figured it all out,” she replied sweetly. “Oh, and one more thing: This is about arealrelationship. Not about screwing around a bit and then utilizing whatever woman is sharing your bed. If you want to show that you’re serious about this, you’d better remain abstinent for a while. Until you find the woman of your dreams. If I catch you with a woman who isn’t part of our bet…you lose.”
“Oh, that won’t be a problem. I’ve had enough sex in the last few months.” Smiling, he leaned closer so that she could feel his breath on her cheek. “Can you say the same about yourself?” he whispered. “Or why are you so terribly tense?”
The next moment, he abruptly turned and waltzed out the door.
Annoyed, Rachel snorted. She wasn't going to let him have the last word! “Hey!” she called out loudly, hurrying after him. “Good luck picking up women anywhere! These days it’s…”
“Hello,” he said, interrupting her to smile at a passing jogger. The jogger pulled her headphones out of her ears, surprised.
