The Billionaire Date by Leigh Michaels Read Free Book Online

chair across from her partner and waved at the waitress. “Where’s Susannah?”
    â€œDon’t know.” Alison slid a bar napkin into the magazine to mark her page and set it aside. “She had a meeting with a client this afternoon, and she wasn’t back yet when I left.”
    â€œIf it was Pierce at the museum, she might not be back at all.” The waitress brought Kit a glass of Chardonnay, and she sipped it gratefully.
    Alison looked puzzled. “You don’t think she’s serious about him, do you?”
    â€œWhy shouldn’t she be? I’ve only met him a couple of times, but he seems nice enough, and he’s certainly attractive.”
    â€œHe’s not her type. Look at me in disbelief if you want, Kit, but underneath all that froth, our Susannah’s a very steady sort. And somehow, I suspect, Pierce isn’t. She’s no more serious about him than...than you are about Jarrett Webster.”
    Kit almost choked. “Oh, well, when you put it that way...” She drew a set of imaginary parallel lines on the tabletop with the base of her wineglass. “Ali, if you had to raise a lot of money for a good cause in a very little time, what would you do?”
    â€œIs this a trick question, or wasn’t I listening at our staff meeting Monday?”
    â€œIt came up since then. It’s sort of a competition.” At least that much was the truth, Kit thought.
    Alison looked thoughtful, but before she could comment Susannah came in with a swirl of her jersey skirt and sank into the chair across from Kit. “Guess what I just saw, parked straight in front of the brownstone. The most gorgeous black Porsche with Teddy on the license plates. Putting two and two together—”
    â€œAnd coming up with seven, no doubt,” Alison said. “I thought incredible math was Kit’s specialty.”
    â€œMaybe the car belongs to a bear collector,” Kit said.
    Susannah leaned forward. “Then what was Jarrett Webster doing walking down the street toward it?”
    â€œTaking a healthy stroll?” Kit mused. “Or slumming, perhaps?”
    â€œYou really don’t know?” Susannah sounded doubtful. “I thought perhaps he was looking for you, but Rita said he hadn’t come into the office.”
    â€œSee, Kit? I told you Susannah wasn’t serious about Pierce. In fact, it’s beginning to sound as if she’s got Jarrett Webster on the brain, instead.”
    Susannah rolled her eyes. “Ali, you know very well I wouldn’t poach on Kit’s territory.”
    â€œYou’re welcome to him,” Kit offered.
    â€œYou two and your men,” Alison grumbled.
    Susannah sat up straight. “Oh? As if there aren’t any in your life?”
    â€œThe men in my life are friends, not romantic interests. And now that we’re on the subject—”
    â€œI’m lost,” Susannah said. “Which subject? Friends or romantic interests?”
    â€œFriends. Two of mine are announcing their engagement tomorrow evening. The party came up rather suddenly, and—”
    â€œAnd you want to know what to take as a gift? I’d suggest a bottle of champagne. That’s always appreciated.” Susannah flagged the waitress. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving.”
    â€œThanks, darling, but I can figure out a gift,” Alison said. “The trouble is, I’m also supposed to attend a convention banquet for one of our clients. It’s not critically important, I suppose—I mean, I’ll stop by the convention during the day, and it’s not as if we’re in charge of the arrangements for the banquet itself. But I think Tryad ought to be represented, so I was wondering if one of you—”
    Susannah shook her head. “Sorry, but I’ve already made plans for the whole weekend.”
    â€œI’ll go,” Kit said. “Tell me where