Winning the Billionaire (Seattle Bachelors Book 2) (19 page)

“The point being…” Christina narrowed her gaze, eyeing them one by one. “…I’ve known him for a long time. He was always a bit of a loner. We’re a lot alike in that respect. Growing up, he was a fellow nerd. Smart, worked hard to get good grades. I’ve been trying to get him to participate in the auction since its inception, but he’s always refused. This year I managed to convince him, but only if I promised to fix the game for him. He didn’t want to end up with a date he’d regret or someone who’d make his life hell afterward.”

Maddie arched a brow. “Isn’t that cheating?”

“Yes, but it’s for a good cause. The purpose is to raise money and awareness.” Hannah shrugged. “Besides, everybody always has fun, and there are eleven other bachelors.”

Her phone pinged again, another message flashing on the dark screen. Maddie squeezed her eyes shut, afraid to look. “I still don’t know if I can do this. Grayson took a lot out of me.”

“You have to get back on that horse sometime, Madds. If you want to find Prince Charming, you have to kiss a few toads.” Hannah nudged her with a socked foot again. “Go on. Pick it up and flirt with the man. Have a good time. See where it takes you. It doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that. What’s it going to hurt?”

Maddie opened her eyes and sighed. They were right. She’d never be able to move on by playing celibate and dead. She leaned forward, snatched her phone off the coffee table, and peered at the message.

BookNerd: Did I scare you off already?

She arched a brow at Christina. “Is he really good looking or was that just lip service? Be honest.”

Christina winked, mischievous and amused. “Oh, I think he’ll make a
mighty
fine horse.”

Maddie laughed softly. “You two are terrible, you know that?”

Only between the three of them would they ever say something so audacious, but it was what she loved about Hannah and Christina. They could relax around one another, and say things they might not otherwise. It made them excellent friends. She never held back with them. It was also what had made her give in to this date, despite everything inside her screaming what a bad idea it was. They’d always have her back, no matter what.

Hannah pursed her lips and waved a hand at her. “Oh, come off it. You’re thinking it and you know it.”

Maddie shook her head. “I am getting awfully tired of my B.O.B.”

Christina and Hannah broke into a fit of giggles. Maddie drew up her inner vixen, beaten and worn out though she was, and typed in the first halfway playful thing she could think of.

MadHatter3000: I don’t scare so easily. U just better have ur A-game on.

His reply arrived seconds later.

BookNerd: Ohh, sweetheart. Consider that challenge accepted.

Special thanks to my critique partner, Sharon, for going above and beyond. I could not have gotten through these edits without you.

And I have to give thanks to my editor, Jessie, as well, for challenging me to see outside my box and teaching me something along the way. Thanks for helping me make my baby shine.

JM Stewart is a coffee and chocolate addict who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two sons and two very spoiled dogs. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have their happily ever after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her obsession.

Learn more at:

AuthorJMStewart.com

Facebook.com/AuthorJMStewart

Twitter: @JMStewartWriter

Bidding on the Billionaire

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