Page 39 of The Billionaire Alpha Surrogate

He laughed when Angie replied. I’m going to steal Martha away from you someday. You wait and see.

Micah thought about Lucy and wondered whether she would like to go with him.

There’s only one way to find out.

That evening, after dinner, Micah broached the subject. “Angie and I host a huge fundraiser for the pet sanctuary each year. Martha really does all the leg work. Angie and I just show up and look pretty. This will actually be the second year. I was wondering if you would like to be my plus one.”

Lucy smiled. “I would love to go. I’ll have to go shopping, though.”

“Mom could take you.”

A terrified look came over Lucy’s face. “I’m scared to get in a car with her.”

Micah laughed loudly. “I understand the feeling. She does seem to have picked up some of the worst driving habits I’ve ever seen.” He thought for a minute and said, “Angie’s best friends, Flora and Jade, will also be going to the fundraiser. I think you already know Jade. They will need dresses. You can go with them.”

Lucy seemed to shrink back a little.

“I promise that they will love you as much as everyone else does. My mother thinks that you’re the neatest thing since sliced bread.”

Before she could protest, Micah called Flora and explained the situation.

“We’d love to take her shopping with us. Is she free tomorrow?”

“Yep.” Micah gave Flora Lucy’s phone number.

Flora instantly started blowing up Lucy’s phone with text messages making arrangements.

“I’ll give you my credit card. There’s no limit on it, so get whatever your heart desires.”

“I can get my own dress. This has nothing to do with the pregnancy,” Lucy protested.

“No, but you are doing me a huge favor,” Micah said. “I’m going to tell Flora that there is no price limit and that you’re buying everyone lunch, too.”

Lucy nodded hesitantly.

“When you are rich and famous, you can pay me back,” Micah said.

He knew that didn’t really make her feel any better. For the first time in his life, he wondered if he had overstepped his bounds. She seemed to sense his feelings.

“Thank you. You are very sweet,” she said.

“I know.”

“Who’s up for a game of Spades?” Ronnie asked, interrupting the conversation.

“Not me. I’ve got some television shows to catch up on,” Vera said.

“I’m in,” Michelle volunteered.

“Michelle and I would be glad to kick some butts tonight,” Lucy said. “If you two are brave enough for a rematch.”

They played two games of Spades. The four of them teased and taunted each other. Michelle and Lucy won the first game by a single point.

“You guys wouldn’t have won if you didn’t sandbag so much,” Ronnie protested, pointing his finger at the women.

Lucy laughed. “You two sandbag just as much.”

The men won the second game, so they were happier.

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