The Billionaire's Bridal Bid Read Online Free PDF Page B

and tried to get a hold of Matt that way. Only to be reconnected with Wendy.
    Gritting her teeth at the memory, she focused on the task at hand. Lay out the napkin, add in the knife, fork and spoon, tuck in the points, roll. Sometimes getting lost in the minutia of life kept her going. Don’t think about how your life didn’t turn out the way you planned.Don’t think about the dreams you gave up on. Just focus on what’s in front of you. Napkin, knife, fork, spoon, tuck, roll.
    “So all you know is that he’s flying you somewhere, overnight.”
    Both of the girls sighed again.
    “So romantic!”
    “It’s not romantic!” Claire felt her general annoyance with the situation bubbling up. “Romance was Rick Blaine saying goodbye to Ilsa Lund on the tarmac outside of Casablanca with the Nazis bearing down on them. Him sending her away because it was the only way to keep their love alive. Romance was Harry running through New York City on New Year’s Eve because he’d realized he loved Sally and wanted the rest of his life to begin that night. Romance is not a guy with way too much money, spending too much money, just to show that he has the money. That’s not romance. That’s ego.”
    Molly and Olga just looked at her like she’d sprouted antlers. Finally Olga cocked her head to the side and said, “He’s trying to impress you. That’s why it’s romantic.”
    “He’s not trying to impress me,” she assured them. He knew she wanted a low-key date. Something that wouldn’t attract a lot of attention. Instead, he was giving her this. He wasn’t trying to impress her. He was trying to torment her. What a jerk.
    Molly shook her head and said in a half whisper, “What does she know? How long has it been since she’s even been on a date?”
    “Too long,” Olga agreed. “Since before I’ve known her, at least.”
    Claire ignored them. Napkin, knife, fork, spoon, tuck, roll.
    Though it was a good point, not that she would admit it to them. After all, her one and only serious relationship had been with Matt and look how that had turned out. So what if she had zip practical experience with romance? She still had standards. She had the idea of romance.
    “I can guarantee this.” She flicked out another napkin. “Whatever this date is, he didn’t plan it to be romantic.” She dropped down a knife. “He’s just showing off his wealth.” She slammed down the fork. “Throwing around his money because he can. Matt Ballard is no different from any of the other Ballards in this town. They think they can get away with whatever they want, just because they’re rich and influential.” Drawing in a slow breath, she carefully centered the spoon, tucked in the corners with precision and rolled up the bundle. “There’s nothing romantic about that.”
    Molly just shook her head. “Claire, you do not get out enough.”
    “Absolutely!” Olga agreed. “If some rich guy wants to spend a fortune on you, why not just enjoy it?” Hmm…why not?
    She set aside the last of the pink bundles and eyed the nearly empty silverware tray. One lonely fork remained. She pulled it out and ran her fingers along the rough spot on the handle as she eyed its bent tine. Like most things in the diner, this fork was worn and overused. It was always the last utensil left in the tray. Someone else might have just thrown it away, but not Claire. She held on to things. Still, it looked so sad, alone in the tray, she couldn’t bear to put it back. Instead, she tucked it into the front pocket of her apron.
    So why not just enjoy the date? Because Matt Ballardwas the devil himself. That’s why. Because he was a lying scoundrel. Because he had no regard for all the things she cared about: hard work, doing the right thing, family. Holding on to the things that mattered.
    Since this was obviously an argument she couldn’t win, she poured herself a cup of coffee, adding a splash of cream and dash of sugar. Then she pulled the bent fork from