The Billionaire's Matchmaker(54)

“We haven’t talked about marriage.”

“Are you still afraid to make that kind of commitment?”

“A little,” she admitted. Everything was so perfect right now.

“Take it one step and one day at a time,” Jenny, always the most pragmatic of the bunch, suggested. “Just because these two hit the fast-forward button to wedded bliss doesn’t mean you have to, too.”

Gabby raised her hand. “Just to clarify, Mia and Gid have been dating a long time. Taking a stroll down the aisle would hardly be rushing it in her case. But I agree. There’s no need for them to set a date and pick out china patterns. I’d imagine Gid is happy enough just hearing the L-word.”

Her friends were right. The knot uncoiled in Mia’s stomach, only to twist tightly again when Gabby added, “Besides, now that his house has sold he’ll be moving in with you. Right?”

“Actually, we haven’t discussed living arrangements.”

Marney broke off a piece of chocolate chip muffin. They were her favorite, and she’d ordered some for all of them. Before popping it in her mouth she said, “Have you asked him?”

“No.”

Gabby reached for a muffin too. “Well, he can’t very well invite himself to live with you, now can he?”

“Do you want him to move in?” Jenny inquired.

Mia liked her little house. She liked the permanence it represented. It was a refuge as much as it was a home. She’d never had a problem sharing its space with Gid, but that had been when she’d known that he had his own place to go back to.

“Well?” Marney nudged.

“I do.” Mia rested a hand on her chest as soon as the words were out. Underneath her palm, her heart was beating crazily. “Oh my God! I want him to move in with me.”

That wasn’t all she wanted, she realized with a start that had her heart tapping in triple time. But, as her friends had pointed out, she could take this one step at a time.

Her cellphone was on the table top. Marney pushed it closer. “Call him.”

Jenny looked scandalized. “She can’t ask him something this important on the phone.”

“Over dinner then,” Marney said. “And I suggest you make something decadent for dessert.”

Gabby had an even better idea. “I suggest you be dessert.” And all the girls dissolved into laughter

…

It was twenty after eight when Gid arrived at Mia’s house. She opened the door, smiling, but she seemed nervous. Not the bad sort of nervous that would have set him on edge as well. But the kind of nervous one got before throwing a big party or making an expensive purchase.

Instead of asking her about it, he reached for her hand and reeled her in for a kiss. Patience was a virtue, especially when it came to this woman. Afterward, with her still settled against his chest, he said, “Sorry for being late. I had a last-minute emergency. Mrs. Johnson’s schnauzer stepped on a rusty nail.”

“Ooh. Sounds painful.”

“Probably not as painful as eating an underwire.” Gid shot a glance in Charlie’s direction. The dog ducked his head at the mention of it. “How was your day?”

“Good. No emergencies unless you count Nina Hoover changing the flower choice for her bridesmaids again.”

“That makes, what, the third time?”

“Fifth, but who’s counting.” Mia chuckled but soon afterward was nibbling her bottom lip.

This time, Gid couldn’t resist commenting, “Something’s on your mind.”

She nodded.

“Something important, I take it.”

She nodded again before adding, “But it can wait till after dinner. We can talk over dessert.”

Was she blushing?

Intrigued, he followed her to the kitchen. The table was set, plates and cutlery perfectly arranged. Blue hydrangea interspersed with pink roses spilled from a squat vase in the center of the table. He knew she had arranged them herself and, as always, marveled at her skill. She experienced so much ugliness in her life, yet she was capable of creating beauty. A bottle of wine, their favorite brand, was open and breathing near the bouquet. She’d thought of everything, which made him more curious than ever about whatever it was she wanted to discuss over dessert.

To distract himself from dwelling on it, he asked, “Can I do anything to help?”

“Sure. You can pour the wine.”

He completed the task while she puttered at the stove. The scent of seasoned beef had his mouth watering. Beside her, Charlie rose on his hind legs as if drawn upward by the aroma. She shooed him away, but he retreated only as far as the table, where he staked out the real estate beneath it. Obviously, he was hoping something edible would wind up on the floor. Despite Gid’s professional position against feeding pets table scraps, he couldn’t help feeling sorry for the dog.


The skirt steak was perfectly seasoned and broiled to medium rare. She’d sliced it into thin ribbons, which were arranged on a bed of mixed greens drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette. She’d also made a cauliflower puree whose texture was so smooth it felt like silk on his tongue.

“You’ve outdone yourself,” he remarked.

Mia had never prepared a meal like this for him. The open cookbooks on the countertop and the kitchen’s overall disarray attested to the effort that had gone into this one.