The Billionaire's Longshot: Betting on You Series: Book Three Read Online Free PDF Page A

expression on Donna’s face. Not true. She recalled the day she told Donna that she wasn’t going to college. That moment would stick with her forever. Disappointment.
    Taking the photo in her hands, she traced her picture—of what had been her only six months ago. Carefree, stress free. This new look was taking some getting used to. Would there be a day when she felt comfortable in it? Why had she gone through all this anyway? It’s not like he’d even noticed. Not one word or hint that he’d liked it. That was what she got for being attracted to a man like him.
    When Jill had first seen him at the engagement party, she’d thought he was one of Lizette’s friends. Never had she expected him to be from one of the oldest wine-producing families in the U.S. What did she know about wine? Absolutely nothing . To a person like him, she was invisible, no matter what she looked like.
    Putting the photo down, she looked in the mirror one last time. Could anyone see what she saw? A heavy sigh escaped her lips. If not, she was going to have to show them, prove she could do it. In a determined tone she said, “Starting with you, Mr. Ross Whitman.”
    She was so absorbed in her own thoughts, she had not heard the doorbell, until it was an inpatient continuous buzz. Really? And I was worried about proper etiquette? She laughed softly and made her way to the door.
    Jill didn’t even bother to look through the peephole. Not a wise decision in the city, but she knew exactly who it was.
    Pulling open the door as he rang again, she was in the middle of saying, “Give it a rest, will you?” when she was greeted by Ross holding a huge bouquet of flowers. It was one of the most beautiful bouquets she’d ever seen: pink orchids nestled between purple morning glories and merlot calla lilies, with a few sprigs of lilac throughout.
    Flooded with embarrassment, she softened her voice, “Hi, won’t you come in?” He brought me flowers? Why? Maybe he felt bad for not returning her calls, for leaving her to finish all the work on her own. She had been a bit snappy in her last voice mail. Yes, that’s it. The flowers are an apology. That’s all. Ross followed behind her as she led the way to the living room. “Are those for me?”
    “A peace offering,” he answered, holding them out to her.
    She hoped to have been wrong, that maybe there had been something special behind the gesture. Sometimes I hate being right.
    Reaching out to take the flowers, her hand brushed his. Static electricity zapped her, and she pulled her hand back, causing the flowers to fall to the floor. They both bent to grab them, clunking foreheads.
    “Ouch!” Jill exclaimed.
    The both stood upright. Ross raised a hand to stop her from bending to pick up the flowers again, and said, “Please, let me.” He retrieved them from the floor and handed them to her.
    One hand on her forehead, she took the flowers with the other. “Thank you,” she said, forcing a smile. Wow, he has a hard head. Jill let her hand fall to her side, and she saw Ross’s face change to one of concern.
    He grabbed the flowers from her. “You better sit down.” Ross took her hand and led her to the couch. “Sit, and I’ll get some ice.” He immediately left her alone and made his way to the kitchen.
    Ice. Why? It was only a little knock on the head. She lifted her hand again and felt the bump over her left temple. What the hell? Quickly she stood and made her way to the mirror on the wall. My God, it’s like a golf ball.
    By the annoyed tone in his voice, she guessed Ross wasn’t too happy she hadn’t stayed put. “You should be sitting.”
    “It’s only a bump.”
    Arching his eyebrow, he looked it over carefully. “That looks horrible, like a horn coming out of your head,” he said as he placed ice on it.
    Horrible? He sure knew how to build a woman’s confidence. Snatching the ice from his hand she said firmly, “I can manage myself, thank you.”
    “You should really sit,