His dimples flashed again. They were rather endearing. “I’m partial to Costa Rica. It’s a perfect winter getaway when it’s raining and cold here in the Bay Area.”
Maybe it was presumptuous, but Michaela checked out his left hand. No wedding ring. She glanced up to see Troy noticing where her gaze had strayed. For some odd reason, her stomach turned over. His eyes flicked from Walter to Flo and back again. Then he grinned at Michaela.
After a few minutes of chitchat, in which her mother’s voice grew breathy, Walter said, “I’m so sorry to have to leave you. I can see my son over there, signaling me.” He gave what was the closest to an eye roll she’d ever seen from a man his age. Michaela had the feeling that when he smiled, the dimples appeared just for her mother. Then he added, “Noble is always on a timetable. I told him he needs to relax sometimes. But he’s always on the go.” He once again took her mother’s hand between his. “It was such a delight meeting you, Flo.” Then he dipped his head slightly at Michaela. “And you too, my dear. I hope to see you both again soon.” Finally, he nodded at Troy. “It was great to catch up with you again, Troy.”
Not that he’d caught up with Troy at all. He’d been all eyes for Flo.
Troy didn’t mention that. “You too, Walter. How about I call you on Monday about a new venture I’ve got going?”
Walter nodded. “I can’t wait to hear.” Then he bowed slightly to Flo.
Still blushing, her gaze on his retreating back, Flo said, “What a nice man.”
Did Michaela see stars in her mother’s eyes? The mother who had refused all of Michaela’s attempts to matchmake for her?
She’d have to tackle her when they got home.
But she didn’t have another moment to think about it before a handsome dark-haired man approached, a blond woman who was probably his wife holding his hand.
Troy slapped hands with the man in a semi-handshake, hugged the lovely blonde, and quickly made the introductions. “Matt Tremont and his wife, Ari.” Then he touched Michaela’s arm as if that were the only way to introduce her, his warm touch sending a shiver through her regardless of how much she didn’t want to react. “Michaela Killian and her mother, Flo.”
They exchanged pleasantries and more idle chitchat, in which they learned that Ari was Gideon Jones’s younger sister, who had been in foster care. And Matt Tremont was another of the famous Mavericks.
They were San Francisco Bay Area icons. Tall, good-looking men who all ran billion-dollar empires. No matchmaking opportunities there, though. Over the last few years, they’d found their true loves all on their own.
Michaela was as happy for them as she could be. And Ari Tremont was a new mother, having had a baby almost a year ago.
Ari patted Troy’s arm. “Matt wasn’t going to bring this up because it’s a social gathering rather than business.” Her smile for her husband was adoring. “But he’s dying to tell you about the prototype. He couldn’t stop talking about it all the way here.”
Matt grinned almost guiltily. “I was going to tell you about it tomorrow. But I got a look at it before we left. You’re going to be amazed.”
Troy clapped a hand on his shoulder. “That’s awesome. I mentioned to Walter Braedon that I had a new venture going and I’d call him on Monday. I’m sure he’ll be interested in the new machine for the gyms in all his hotels.”
“Excellent,” Matt said. “But tell him we want to keep things on the down-low while all the bugs are worked out. And you haven’t even seen it yet.” He raised his hands in the air in a what-gives gesture.
“I’ll be by to see it on Monday, don’t worry. Then I’ll talk to Walter.”
Troy wasn’t just a pretty face. He wasn’t just an Olympic diver. He was also a savvy businessman.
Flo asked the question Michaela had been about to ask herself. “How interesting. We’d love to hear about this prototype.” She winked. “Unless it’s completely under wraps.”
“Don’t tell a reporter about it,” Matt said with a grin.
Troy explained, “Matt owns Trebotics, a robotics company here in Silicon Valley. He and his engineers have been working on a prototype for a new exercise machine for my product line.”
Matt rushed on excitedly, “It’ll do everything. Rowing, treadmill, stair climbing, spinning.” His eyes were bright with enthusiasm, his words almost tripping over each other. “It’s a joint venture Troy and I have been working on for months now. It’s revolutionary. No one will have anything like it.”
Troy laughed. “Until they try to copy it once it’s out.”
“We’ve got the patent,” Matt declared. “But don’t they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?”
Troy squeezed his shoulder. “Nothing will come close to what you’ve created.”
Matt’s smile reached ear to ear. “Thanks, man. This has been a joint effort between our two companies.”
Ari stroked her husband’s cheek. “It’s going to be huge.”
“Congratulations to both of you.” Michaela zipped her lips. “We won’t tell a soul.”
