Betsy had worked for him long enough to make a judgment about that.
“Lately, I’m not sure I know myself.”
Fernsby found a coffee shop only two blocks from Troy’s building. He ordered each of the ladies a foaming cappuccino and instructed the barista to sprinkle on a little extra cinnamon. Cinnamon was a health food.
He had coffee, black. He was so healthy he didn’t need cinnamon.
After a sip of cappuccino, Flo said, “But we didn’t give him any ideas about where to take Michaela.”
Fernsby drawled, “Which is perfect, my dear lady. The dear boy must come up with the romantic elements himself. And he will. He’s actually quite intelligent, believe it or not.” He leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, “He just needed a little kick in the pants from us. Which we delivered in spades.”
Susan put down her cappuccino mug. “Oh my, Fernsby, that is delicious. Thank you so much.” She licked a tiny bit of foam from her lip. “I have complete faith that Troy will figure it out.” She smiled. The lady had such a delightful smile. “He’s got it bad if he came to me for help finding out what her favorite things are.” She arched one elegant eyebrow. “He’s not one to give up easily.”
Flo added, “And if he can’t figure it out, we’ll go back.”
Fernsby saluted the two ladies with his mug. “It’s delightful to be on this matchmaking mission with two such lovely ladies.”
They were his new favorite people.
He wondered briefly if he could talk to them about Mathilda Sullivan. Both had the most delightful ears to lend to any problem.
But no. No. That long-ago time was his cross to bear.
And he needed to bear it alone.
Chapter Thirteen
I’m in love with this woman.
The thought should have struck Troy like a thunderbolt. Instead, it was like the finest mist of rain on a hot day. He was in love with Michaela Killian. He didn’t know how it had happened in just a couple of weeks. But Clay had fallen for Saskia in a matter of days. It wasn’t unheard of. It had taken Dane twelve years to admit his feelings for Cammie and fifteen for Ava to finally admit she’d never stopped loving Ransom. Some people were slow on the uptake.
Michaela was extraordinary. She was more than just beautiful on the outside. She was smart and funny—when he wasn’t irritating her. She worked harder than anyone he’d ever known, and she did it all with integrity. She was family and friends first, loyal and caring. She’d been a matchmaker long before she’d started her business, had been all about helping her friends. And she’d paid her mother back for her sacrifices, changed her life, bought her a townhouse, saved her eyes and her fingers from the hard work she’d done most of her life.
There was no choice. Troy had to win her. And lose the bet.
A mere half hour ago, he’d sent his matchmaking team away. And he still hadn’t come up with a single idea for wooing Michaela.
He was a lovesick idiot.
And he’d have to figure this out on his own. Whatever he did, it had to be amazing. Something like… flying her to New York for dinner at the most expensive, romantic restaurant. Or… renting a train car and having a delicious meal served while the locomotive whisked them down to LA, where he would take her to the hottest new dance club, Exchange LA, located in the historic Los Angeles Stock Exchange. It had become the premier destination for lovers of electronic dance music.
Did she even like electronic dance music?
Dammit, those were the kinds of dates a billionaire would use to impress her. He didn’t want to remind her of his billionaire status. No, he needed something better. He needed something totally un-billionaire-ish.
He couldn’t say why his eyes fell to the row of athletic shoes and hiking boots lining the wall. They’d been there for a couple of weeks, in place for today’s meeting, but suddenly he remembered what Flo had said as she was walking out the door.
Michaela liked to hike.
And he did need a test hiker for those boots.
His heart rate was already racing as he imagined watching her hike in skimpy shorts, getting all hot and sweaty. This was perfect. If he phrased it right, she wouldn’t be able to say no.
Not wanting to waste a moment, he called Michaela. Instead of saying something like, I want to go for a hike with you, he took a sneakier route. “Hey, look, I’m working on a new deal with a Hong Kong shoe manufacturer. I can test the men’s boots, but I need help to test the women’s.”
She puffed out an exasperated breath. “Don’t you have an employee who can help you?”
Of course he did. But he wanted her. “No one is available.” Though he hadn’t asked anyone else. “I’ve already had to reschedule the meeting with this supplier.” He didn’t say he’d rescheduled it so he could come up with the perfect date with her.
