Crazy Love (Emerald Lake Billionaires 3) Read Free

want to apply. “It could be dangerous.”
    “Maybe in New York,” Claire said, “but not in Bozeman. We could all register.”
    Holly shook her head. “Not me. You can sell your soul to a computer program if you want to, but I’d rather be single.”
    Mia nudged Holly’s arm. “What if you met the love of your life? It wouldn’t be so dangerous then. If someone’s found a way to match people with their perfect partner, the program would be worth a fortune.”
    “It might be worth a fortune to the developer, but I’m still not doing it.”
    Mia gave Hannah back her newspaper. “You shouldn’t let Rourke scare you off men, Holly. What if this was the best chance you had of meeting someone who loved art and music - someone who appreciated who you are and bought lots of expensive gifts to make you happy?”
    Claire grinned at Mia. “I want one of those perfect men. Come on, Holly. If you don’t like the person you’re matched with, don’t go out with him. What have you got to lose?”
    “My sanity. And before you think of another ten reasons why I should add my name to the trial, my answer’s still no.”
    Hannah sighed. “Is that a definite no or a possible no?”
    “Definite,” Holly said firmly before Claire or Mia tried to change her mind. “We need to talk about how we’re going to promote the auction. Does anyone have any ideas?”
    Hannah pulled her iPhone out of her pocket. “Just one. If I’m going to concentrate on the auction I need to register for the trial first. I’ve got a good feeling about this.”
    Claire and Mia didn’t need any encouragement to follow Hannah. Before Holly could blink, all of her intelligent and creative friends were filling out the online registration form.
    She just hoped Hannah’s good feeling was better than the last one she’d had.
     
    ***
    A week later, Holly parked her car outside the red brick warehouse they were using for their auction. Nick Costas, Mia’s grandfather, stood on the sidewalk.
    “You’re early,” Nick said in his deep, Greek-accented voice.
    Holly looked at the brown paper bag in his hands. “You’ve been to the café again, haven’t you?”
    “What does my doctor know? I’m seventy-three years old. A little sugar won’t kill me. Where did you hide Mia?”
    “We brought separate vehicles. Six paintings arrived this morning for the auction.”
    Nick undid the big metal lock on the door behind him. “I’ve been getting calls from clients all week. When is the catalog going to be ready?”
    “In a couple of days. We need to make some small changes to the layout and then we’re all set for the printer.” Holly opened the trunk of her car and took out two carefully wrapped parcels. “Wait until you see these paintings. Natalie has been working on them for the last three months.”
    Nick rolled the large wooden door along its track. “Natalie is a good girl. You were lucky she was able to help you. Her exhibition in London isn’t far away.”
    “She knows Tommy’s family.” Holly passed the paintings to Nick and closed the trunk. “I’ve got another two paintings in the car. Where do you want me to put them?”
    “I’ve set a table up inside the warehouse. When we’ve unwrapped the paintings we can decide where we want to hang them.”
    Holly slid another canvas along the back seat and followed Nick into his warehouse. Yesterday she’d spent two hours with Mia, placing the paintings against the walls, moving each canvas around until they’d found the perfect place for them.
    Nick must have come into the warehouse early this morning and hung them on the walls. With the fluorescent lights shining against the paintings, the old warehouse had become a chic inner-city gallery.
    “This looks amazing.” Holly walked toward the first painting people would see. “I don’t want my painting here.”
    Nick frowned. “You are too content to be in the background. This is one of the best portraits I’ve ever seen. It deserves