Page 31 of The Billion Dollar Bet

Devin looked at Cassie. “She’d mad for the same reason you are.”

“Ah-ah!” Andrea exclaimed. “Genius minds think alike. You should have introduced us a long time ago. Now Cassie wouldn’t be so nervous. Now come, the powder room is around the corner where you can freshen up. We will have an aperitif before dinner. I will go check on the cook.”

Andrea flitted away and disappeared through a side door and Devin drew her into his arms. “I told you there was nothing to worry about. My mom talks a lot, but she’s harmless and she already loves you.”

“She’s very warm,” Cassie replied. “She reminds me of my grandmother. “Her spirit … or rather aura. In fact, she reminds me of you as well, your carefree nature.”

“Yeah, I hate to admit it but I take that from her.”

“That reminds me of your kindness too.”

He cocked a brow. “Kindness?”

“What you’re friend for Troy. Investing in his family company and making sure his brother steps down, and putting Troy at the helm. That is quit generous of you.”

“It also makes good business sense. Their shipping company will do wonders for or commodity trading. It will save us millions of dollars while increasing profits on both ends.”

She smiled up at him, her eyes adoring. “Have I told you how proud I am of you?”

“If you keep looking at me like that and paying me compliments, I might have to take you to my bedroom before dinner.”

“Stop it, you insatiable goat.”

Niles brought out the aperitif interrupting their light banter. Andrea also returned, announcing that everything was running smoothly from the kitchen. She had delayed the cook because she knew her son would make Cassie late, that’s what Andrea said causing Cassie to flush hotly.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m often late for dinner with my beaus,” the woman said with a knowing wink.

This pout Cassie at ease. She was asked a bunch of questions about her work and Devin told his mother that he was sponsoring her research and why. Tears welled in Andrea’s eyes when Devin’s father was mentioned. Although the couple had divorced, she had still loved him and had hoped they would get back together.

This was news to Devin. The pre-dinner conversation was somewhat solemn, yet enlightening for mother and son. With a subject change the conversation moved to business and then back to Cassie. Dinner was served and she was ushered into a small dining room. From where she sat, she noticed that a larger dining room was off to the right separated by a glass door.

Dinner was great and Andrea was a chatterbox that Cassie didn’t have to worry about keeping up the conversation. The woman talked about everything and her lighthearted nature was contagious that by the end of the meal, Cassie felt right at home. When they were ready to leave, Andrea sulked that Devin should have arranged for Cassie to stay overnight.

“Next time,” Devin replied. “Cassie has an early shift at the University. Moreover, she has her own staff to tend to.”

“Promise me you’ll spend a few days next time,” Andrea pleaded with her.

“I will. I love it here.”

Andrea winked at her son and gave her another hug before sending them off. They were off and Devin started his off key whistling once more. Cassie had come to love that off key tune he liked to either sing or whistle. It was becoming difficult imagining her life without Devin’s kind of music. The weird thing was that the man played a mean guitar, he just couldn’t sing to save his life. Yet, she loved to hear his tone dead singing.

It was a while into their journey when she noticed he had taken a different route from the one which should lead them home. She knew he had plans to spend the night since he presumptuously brought an overnight bag earlier in the day. She kept silent, waiting to see what he was up to.

A few miles later he was pulling into the Museum of Science. Her eye widened and heart soared that he thought of ending a perfect day with the perfect date.

“So, I thought we’d stop by here for a minute before heading home,” he said

He reached into the glove compartment and took out a square white envelope which he handed to her. Tentatively she took it, turning it over in her hand before opening it. Cassie’s eyes widened further when she saw the gift certificate to the science lab equipment center in the city. With the gift card, she could pick out any item she liked.

She needed an electron microscope which was like the ultimate microscope for a new lab as hers. The light microscopes she had were the newest models and did an excellent job, but the electron microscope was better at identifying different microorganisms more accurately then the light scopes.

“What’s this for?”

“I haven’t given you any gifts since we’ve been together,” he replied.

“The painting was you wasn’t it?”

“That was given from the foundation, not me. I have been trying to figure out what to give you. I could have given you diamonds and pearls, even a new car…”

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