Page 41 of The Billionaire Love Match

THIRTEEN

“I told you I wantedyou to try to get to know her, but you didn’t even give me a chance to talk to her. You know these dates are the only shot I get. And then she almost drowns?”

“Colt—”

“I don’t get you, man. This was a horrible idea.”

“Colt.”

“What?”

Colt stopped pacing in Ty’s office and swung around to face his friend. Ty had his arms crossed, leaning his hips back against his desk.

“Remember how you said your mom was going to mess with things? How much does she actually know about the contestants?”

The fight went out of Colt like air from a balloon. “Everything. She had them do like four personality tests, plus interviews, and more.”

“That’s what I thought.” Ty rubbed the back of his neck. “Casey wasn’t just slow to learn. She was terrified. Being underwater and holding her breath is one of her phobias. Big time. Probably one of the worst cases I’ve seen, and you know I’ve seen a lot. I’m just wondering about your mother—”

Colt blew out a breath. Guilt coursed through him. “It’s my fault. I mean, I set up the date.”

“But who decided which girls went where?”

“My mom. I was hoping Casey would be on this date so she you could meet her, but I thought my chances were better if I didn’t mention it.”

Colt leaned back against the wall and rubbed his hands over his eyes. He smelled like chlorine. The image of Casey, sputtering and coughing on the tile outside the pool was stuck in his head.

“Do you think she did it on purpose?” Ty asked.

“My mom is...single-minded. But this seems cruel. I’m struggling to see her as that much of a villain.”

“For people who don’t understand that kind of phobia, it’s easy to minimize. She might have just thought Casey would have a miserable time, not struggle so much. And you should know, Colt—she fought so hard. For you.”

The way Ty looked at him amplified his guilt.

“I already feel terrible. What do you want me to say?”

Ty shook his head. “Nothing. I just don’t think I ever realized how much these kinds of shows can mess with people.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll be honest. I like Casey. A lot. I’m pretty sure she’s too good for you, actually.”

Colt cracked a smile that matched Ty’s. “Thanks for that vote of confidence.”

“Just calling it like I see it.”

“So you really like her?”

“She’s a fighter. Determined. And kind. Smart. Except for the whole falling for you bit, which makes me question her brains and her sanity.”

“Hey. That’s two insults in two minutes.”

“I bet I could make it four.”

Colt chuckled. “I really appreciate you doing this. And for staying with her. I know that you probably are the only reason she got that far and didn’t give up right away.”

“I shouldn’t have let her push herself. I knew it was too much. That’s on me.” Ty shook his head. “What’s up next for you?”

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