Page 18 of Baby for My Billionaire Rival

“Great.”

“At least until Christmas.”

“Then on Christmas –”

“We can let it all out. Our gift to each other,” she says with a proud smile.

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

Our hands drop. Much too soon for my liking. In the gap left by our handshake, neither of us knows what to say. Once again.

“How about we spend this week brainstorming –” Caroline says.

“Sounds good.”

“And we can, I don’t know, maybe meet up this weekend and present to each other.”

And inevitably duke it out until one of us is dead.“That sounds good to me.”

“Good is generous,” Caroline snorts.

I don’twantthis tension with Caroline. I guess I’m the one who prolonged it after that first unfortunate interaction. I can’t help it though. All my worst fears manifested before I even walked into class. Being seen as someone who doesn’t belong here.

It’s been two months… and we have to work together.

I may as well give her a chance.

“Tell you what,” I say, sliding my hands into my pockets. “How about you come out to my family farm on Saturday? I can show you around, you can get an idea of how I usually run things and why I am the way I am. And we can talk things through with the project.”

Caroline’s eyes widen, her lashes practically touching her eyebrows. “Seriously?”

I shrug. “Yeah.”

“You want me to come out to your farm?”

I blush. Maybe it was a stupid idea. I mean, it’s clear her standard of living isn’t suited for the farm. She might get one sniff of manure and faint. “It’s a little far, you’re right, that was a silly suggestion.”

Caroline grabs me by the arm. I feel faint. “No, that’s not what I meant. I’d…” A grin spreads across her face. “I’d love to see your farm.”

Her enthusiasm is as confusing as it is welcome. “Okay! Great. Well… great.”

For the briefest second, her eyes glimmer in mine. I hold my breath.

Okay, I’m done pretending. Caroline Gladstone might just be the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. No amount of disliking her can change that.

I’m totally screwed.

Chapter 7

Caroline

As soon as I step out of my car, I realize I’ve made a huge mistake. I’ve had my outfit planned since Monday when Jake invited me to the farm. I thought I’d look charming in a pair of overalls, a flannel, and the closest thing to work boots I own (although I’m not sure you can call them that since they have a heel).

Now, though, I feel like a clown. Like someone might think I’m making a mockery of farm life rather than trying to embrace it.

Maybe I can get back into the car and drive off. Pretend like I never even made it. Car trouble. Family stuff. Alien abduction.

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