Page 40 of Date The Billionaire

“And you, sweetheart?” I could tell Skip had already forgotten her name.

“I think it’s Trent. He’s just so handsome and funny.” She twirled his hair in her fingers and for a moment I was worried we were going to have another case of spontaneous vomiting on the set. Skip got himself under control, thankfully.

“And you, Laney? You’ve heard what the others have to say, who do you think is our most eligible bachelor of all?” Skip waited for Laney to speak.

She looked at me for a moment and then smiled.

“I don’t care really, Skip. It could be any of them. Money doesn’t give you a look or a smell. There’s no way to identify a rich person from a poor one when they all dress the same.”

I liked that.

“Of course, but an answer would be nice, just for our audience.”

“I think it’s Trent. He’s always going on about his past and how he was raised. I’d have to guess it was him. I think Jake might very well be the plumber, he’s good with his hands, you know.”

“Then you’d be wrong, my dear.” Skip popped up and gave the camera yet another wink. “Because our real rich man is the one you’re sitting beside! A tech giant, Jackson Mallory is a god among men. He’s also a philanthropist that gives to many aid groups and has plans to provide education to the needy in some rather amazing ways.”

I saw her eyes go wide and knew she was impressed, but I still didn’t think it had quite soaked in yet. I was a billionaire and not just a little one.

I heard Arabella whimper in the background and my grin broadened.

“And just to ease the tension, David is the plumber, a very successful one with his own chain of businesses and Trent is the teacher.”

“I knew he wouldn’t be able to stand in front of a classroom of students.” I heard Laney mutter and chuckled.

“It’s an odd job for a poet, though, isn’t it?” I leaned over and asked her, ignoring the rest of Skip’s banter for a moment.

“Not really, most of the time he won’t be around people and he has time to think as he works. I imagine it keeps him busy too.”

She gave me a happy smile and Skip drew our attention once more.

“Now for the prizes. Each of the contestants will be receiving $100,000, a new car worth $40,000, and a trip to Hawaii, also on us.”

I heard Laney gasp in excitement at last.

“I can pay off the rest of my education!” she whispered to me.

“I’m giving mine to my charitable foundation. It can always use more money.” I made the decision on the spot. “The car I’ll give to someone who needs it.”

“But then you won’t have any prizes at all!” Laney said, her brows knitted.

“I’ll have you, Laney. That’s all I need.” I pulled her hand up, wrapped around my own, and kissed her fingers.

“I guess you’re right.” She smiled happily and I knew that this was only the beginning for us.

Chapter Nineteen

Laney

We took a helicopter straight to the cabin in the woods, my second flight of the day, but this time, I was heading for a much brighter future. The helicopter was Jake’s and he’d arranged one for Kelly and David as well. Trent had disappeared, along with Skip, directly after the cameras went off.

I remembered Carol’s face as the helicopters landed and how she’d blustered that there would be repercussions to Jake. He’d handed her a card and cut her words off with his own, saying, “My lawyer has a few things to ask you about some kidnap charges I’ll be pressing against you and the rest of the show, as well as some pictures I’m sure you’ll remember if you think about it real hard.”

Her mouth had fallen open when Jake winked at her and I couldn’t help but laugh loudly. Oh yes, I loved this man. He’d taken care of our worries with just a few sentences.

Carol looked defeated as we flew away. I guess she was going to have a lot of explaining to do. I waved, just to rub it in. Petty, but I felt I deserved it after all the woman had put me through.

Dressed in my own clothes once more, my hair still a helmet around my head, I watched the world fall away.