Only a Date with a Billionaire (The Only Us Billionaire Romance Series Book 5)

by Ellie Hall

  As she was leaving, she read the bulletin and saw a call for choir singers. Growing up, she and Jennifer were active members of their church’s choir and had loved praising their Lord and Savior through song.

  During college, Sophie went to a nearby church, but they didn’t have a choir. When she and Hayden were together, the schedule for choir practice conflicted with his game nights so she’d had to forego it.

  There was nothing stopping her from joining a new choir except for her responsibilities at the bakery, but she always had room for God. Plus she might meet some new people.

  For the next few days, Sophie was busy with the bakery and didn’t see much of Teagh.

  While part of her longed a repeat of the kiss, it was somehow strong enough to sustain her until next time. She understood he was busy with final preparations for the grand opening of the Uppercut Boxing Club.

  While the week before had been dedicated to baking all things apple and cinnamon, she found herself inspired to make things like lemon rose shortbread cookies with a delicate sprinkling of edible flowers on top, cherry chocolate macarons topped with a dusting of cocoa and whipped strawberry mousse with a sprig of mint.

  During a pause in customers, Keisha nudged Sophie with her hip. “I know what’s going on,” she whispered so Jonathan and anyone else in the bakery didn’t hear.

  “What do you mean?” Sophie asked.

  “I’ve seen this before.” Keisha nodded knowingly.

  Sophie’s brow wrinkled. “Seen what?”

  “Girl, you are in love.”

  Sophie opened and closed her mouth.

  “My aunt Orlena bakes when she’s got that loving feeling. I know that you know what I mean. Out comes the chocolate, the cherries, the strawberries. I tell you, I’ve seen this before. If I’m wrong then I’ll eat those cookies you keep sneaking walnuts into.” She stuck out her tongue.

  “But you hate walnuts.”

  “Exactly.”

  Sophie chewed on her lip a moment. “I figured it out the night of the wedding.”

  Keisha gripped her wrists and started hopping up and down. “I knew it. I knew it. Wait let me guess who.” She leaned in. “The boxer from next door.”

  Sophie’s cheeks heated as though she was standing in front of an open oven.

  “I’ll tell you a secret,” Keisha said. “One of the reasons I took this job is because I knew there’d be some fine-looking guys coming and going next door. I imagine they get thirsty after their workouts, have big appetites, and would not mind a little sweetness from over here.”

  Sophie laughed. “Well, I’m glad there are some incentives to working here besides all the delicious goodies.”

  “Except when you add walnuts. They ruin everything.” Keisha wrinkled her nose.

  “They’re good for you,” Sophie insisted.

  “I don’t eat cookies and baked goods to be healthy,” Keisha said around a laugh.

  “Fair point.”

  “I haven’t seen the bad boy boxer babe in here for a few days though.”

  “He’s busy with the grand opening,” Sophie said.

  “Oh, I am so going to that. You’ll have to introduce me to all his hot friends.”

  “Let’s go together. Life is better with a buddy.”

  “But you’re my boss.”

  “We can be friends too.” Sophie bumped Keisha’s hip that time. “Now that you know my secret.”

  Since she hadn’t seen Teagh much in the last few days except brief little moments, coming and going, Sophie took the opportunity to bring him a cup of tea. The days leading up to her opening the bakery were madness and likely he needed a pick me up.

  Next door, an electrician was doing what looked like last-minute work, considering the groan that she just barely heard over the cranked music. Others were stocking gym equipment. The ring, elevated in the center of the vast room, was dark. As she looked around for Teagh, it lit up and he stood in the center.

  Illuminated by the overhead lights, he called to the electrician, “Thumbs up. You got it this time, Walt.”

  Teagh hadn’t shaved and looked ruggedly handsome with a bit of scruff lining his jaw. The suit he’d worn to the wedding somehow highlighted his muscles, making him look amazing, but she could stare at him all day in a simple T-shirt.

  He spotted Sophie standing by the ropes and hopped down. “Hey there, bonny Sophie. Just had to make sure the spotlights wouldn’t blind anyone while in the ring.” His eyes drank her in and she felt another rash of warmth rising in her cheeks.

  She leaned in, trying to hear him better and caught his manly scent that was a combination of mint, the fresh scent of soap, and a man who wasn’t afraid of working hard and getting sweaty.

  Placing a large hand on the small of her back, he led her to the office.

  “I brought you a tea.” She waggled it in front of him.

  “No, you brought a ray of sunshine to an otherwise cloudy day. How will I survive until tomorrow? There’s so much to do.” He held up one finger. “Oh, wait. I know.”

  As though thinking the same thing, they both leaned in and their lips met.

  It was gentle at first like butterfly wings landing softly on a flower petal, but as the music pounded from beyond the door, the kiss picked up the pace as though keeping time with the beat as though they’d both waited too long to be together again.

  The bristles along his jaw were pleasantly rough against her cheeks, contrasting to how tender he otherwise was with her.

  Despite the clamor surrounding them, it quickly faded away and there was just Teagh and Sophie. That was all. That was all there needed to be.

  She was right the night after the wedding, Keisha was correct in her assumption, and her heart knew the truth. She was in love with Teagh. Her heart boomed at the thought.

  She could’ve stayed there forever, lost in his lips, but someone called his name, jarring them from the moment.

  His eyes were heavy as they parted. “Now, I know I’ll survive.”

  “See you tomorrow,” she said, blowing him a kiss as she left the way she came.

  Back at the bakery, Sophie brainstormed something special to bake for the grand opening of the gym.

  That evening, she stayed late at the bakery, working with fondant to make a giant sheet cake shaped like a boxing ring, complete with edible ropes. She rarely worked with the moldable, edible playdough type ingredient, but she and Jennifer used to binge-watch baking competition shows and while Jen practically drooled over the delicious creations, Sophie paid attention to method and technique.

  The cake itself was marbled with chocolate and vanilla. In the center on top of the boxing ring, she made a pair of life-size red boxing gloves. The entire thing was three-dimensional and required more concentration and patience than Sophie believed that she had, especially as the hours passed.

  When it was done, she exhaled and then took some photos. She also considered just sleeping at the bakery overnight because she had to return in a mere four hours.

  Outside, the gym was lit up and she assumed Teagh was still working. She hurried home, not keen on being out so late, but also so exhausted if anyone dared interfere with her and the notion of crawling into bed, she’d knock them out.

  Early the next morning, Sophie practically sleep-walked to the bakery. Before she turned on the overhead lights, she spotted something large that shouldn’t have been there. The hair on the back of her neck lifted as she flicked on the lights.

  Her hand pressed against her chest as she exhaled with relief. She’d been so exhausted, she’d forgotten she’d baked an enormous cake.

  She stepped closer to admire her handiwork and her stomach sunk at the sight of one of the red boxing gloves doing the same. The part by the thumb was partially submerged. That wasn’t right. Did she mismeasure the liquid? Add too much leavening?

  While she went about her usual morning baking routine, she tried to figure out how to fix it, but she was so tired she could hardly think
straight.

  She could just dump the thing and bring over some regular goodies. She’d been in charge of baked goods at one of Hayden’s functions when he got his first job post-college. Because she loved baking so much, she decided to make the cheesecake herself. Unfortunately, it didn’t separate well from the springform pan. She tried to salvage it, but because it was less than perfect, Hayden forbid her from baking for his events again and insisted she use a professional. She groaned at the memory. He’d hardly given her a chance.

  Everything about the sheet cake for Uppercut looked great except that one part.

  She sighed.

  She could just bring it to the gym, imperfect as it was. It would be a shame to let all of it go to waste.

  As the sky lightened and the opening hour approached, she still hadn’t figured out what to do. Jonathan was on the schedule and she asked him.

  He shrugged. “Looks good enough to eat.”

  Later, when Keisha arrived, she asked her opinion. “Girl, that cake is a triumph. Who cares if one glove is a little lower than the other? Come on, I’ll help you carry it over.”

  Jonathan had been more attentive lately after their talk so she felt okay about leaving him in charge, plus it was relatively slow.

  The two women entered the gym and were primarily surrounded by men in pairs and groups checking out the equipment, in conversation, and a few by a wall of mirrors shadowboxing.

  Keisha batted her eyelashes.

  Apparently, the gym couldn’t open soon enough. Sophie had a feeling that it would be as successful as her bakery. Maybe there was something about the block and building that was blessed.

  Keisha tilted her head toward a table with refreshments. Margaret and Clyde were standing close by and spotted Sophie.

  “What is this? Oh my goodness, this is tremendous,” Margaret crowed, gesturing to the cake. “Did you make this, Sophie?”

  She nodded proudly and introduced Keisha to Teagh’s parents.

  Margaret admired the cake and then gripped Sophie in a side hug. The cake was surprisingly heavy and her fingers had gotten stiff from holding it for so long. She tried to grip it better, but her grasp faltered. Clyde, with reflexes that shouldn’t have surprised her considering he was a former boxer, gripped the edge of the tray and steadied it.

  They made room on the table and set it down.

  “My, oh, my,” Clyde admired the cake. “Glad we saved it. I wouldn’t want a miss a slice of that for the world.”

  Sophie wanted to point out that it was less than perfect, but Teagh appeared at her side, casting an arm over her shoulder. “Wow. That is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Did you make it, Sophie?”

  She nodded.

  He leaned closer, checking out the details, including the initials she’d placed near the wrist part of the gloves. TC for Teagh Coyle on one side and UBC for Uppercut Boxing Club on the other. “It’s perfect.”

  He gripped her cheeks with his hands, planted a big kiss on her lips, and called out, “Everyone, gather round. I prepared a short speech, but really I want to thank you all for coming, for your help in getting this place open, your support as clients, and especially to my parents for always believing in me.”

  Once more, he gripped Sophie’s shoulder. “But mostly, this woman right here. Sophie. She reminded me of what’s important in life, why I do this—what I love—and she’s a total knock out if I do say so.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Oh, and she baked this cake, so thanks for coming and dig in!”

  Several people approached to congratulate Teagh while many others rushed the cake table.

  Keisha pulled her aside. “Apparently, you’re not the only one in love. I’m going to start calling you TKO for total knock out.” She winked. “Also, you already know his parents and they adore you. Mark my words you’ll be married by the end of the year. A baker and boxer. Has a nice ring to it.”

  Yep. Sophie definitely had that loving feeling inside and it was better than a slice of cake.

  Chapter 12

  Teagh

  Teagh had pulled off the grand opening. Everything was ready and working. There were a few loose ends, but nothing crucial. Of course, he’d started to pile on more programs, ideas, and ways to spread the word during the last few hours, but that could all wait.

  He’d woken up that morning with the most peculiar thought. Sophie’s kisses tasted like a smile. Sunshine. Ease and calm.

  He vividly recalled the moment in the elevator, but it wasn’t a dream. The memory made him grin. Big and goofy like he was falling for her.

  From across the room in the gym, he admired how pretty she was, but it was like she had no idea the way she lit up everyone around her.

  She calmed him. Centered him. Made the air easier to breathe.

  He had her support—with an amazing cake that almost looked too good to eat.

  He’d also received the support of countless friends and colleagues from over the years. Even several of his opponents who’d retired had stopped in and were interested in collaborating. Then why did he feel like something was going to go wrong? Like the chips were going to fall?

  Gorgeous George, who’d been so named because he was the hottest guy in boxing until Teagh showed up on the scene and then broke his nose, wandered over. They exchanged small talk, but it was water under the bridge as his father liked to say. Then over George’s shoulder, he saw Teresa lurking.

  He swallowed a sudden lump in his throat. Of all the people? Why was she there?

  Teagh tried to excuse himself, but George was well into an attempt to convince him to do an Iron Man Marathon with him. Before he could break away, Sophie strutted across the room toward Teresa. What was she doing? That was sure to be a bloodbath and they hadn’t even had their first match at the gym yet. He expected punches to be thrown if not physically then for sure verbally. Still, he didn’t want to be rude to George—he felt like he owed the guy for ruining his face, not that Teagh was a stranger to a broken nose.

  After a few minutes, the two women were still conversing. Teagh couldn’t take it a moment longer. He wouldn’t let Teresa insult Sophie. He lifted a finger to have George pause and hurried over.

  Teresa scowled at Teagh. Sophie beamed.

  “What’s going on?” he stammered.

  Sophie shrugged. “Chatting.” She turned back to Teagh’s ex-wife. “Well, if you do think you’ll be in town, the Baking and Bible study classes I’m hosting will be on Tuesday nights. I have my self-defense class on Wednesday. My schedule is practically booked.”

  “I’ve never done anything like that,” Teresa said in a civil, if not friendly, tone.

  Teagh felt his eyes bulging out of their sockets. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The two women were natural enemies. An ex and a—what was Sophie to him? How had she tamed Teresa? Maybe the same way she’d worked her way into his heart.

  “I’ve never done anything like that either. Well, I’ve done Bible study and baking separately, but not together. I think it’ll be great. Everyone needs a hobby. The bonus is you get to eat some really yummy treats afterward.”

  “I’m not much of a sweets person.” Teresa’s nose wrinkled.

  Sophie shook her head. “Bless your soul. We need to change that.” She linked her arm in the other woman’s and proceeded to lead her next door to the bakery.

  Teagh stood there dumbfounded, but George was back, banging his ear off about how they could train together for the cycling portion of the triathlon.

  By the late afternoon, Teagh felt like he’d already been in the Iron Man, but visitors kept showing up, he had twice the number of people sign up for classes than he’d expected, and many others who were interested.

  His parents were flying back to Scotland that night and he wished them off.

  “Make sure you come visit us soon and bring Sophie,” his mother called as they got into the car that would bring them to the airport.

  Teagh had lost all of his assets to Teresa in the divor
ce and since she was looking for a new man or to get back together with him, it was likely that she’d squandered it all.

  Fortunately, he’d managed to hang onto some of it that was beyond the reach of her greedy fingers, made some smart investments and had created enough capital to move to a nice flat, and open the gym.

  He’d also invested in several companies that were proving to double his money and then some.

  It felt good to spoil his parents—they deserved it. He’d also helped with the mortgage on the farm some years back and rested well knowing they were taking care of.

  He wanted to take care of Sophie, treat her like a queen.

  He was slated to meet with Will in December and assumed they’d do so at the Apex gym headquarters in London. He also planned to go home for the holidays. Technically, Teagh could steal away to a remote island and live a very comfortable life, never having to work again, but that wasn’t his style.

  Teresa had wanted to be with him because he was a high roller, a billionaire. Back then though, he’d been all about the flash, the bling, and the high rolling lifestyle. It was part of his brand as a boxer.

  But upon retiring and moving overseas, he was quiet about his wealth.

  As for the holidays, he could show Sophie a wonderful time, touring the UK and of course, spending some time at the farm. Although, they both had new businesses. Was time away wise? Would she even want to travel with him?

  At last, everyone had said their goodbyes and he closed up the gym for the night. The lights were still on in the bakery so he wandered in. The display case held an abundance of chocolate-based items. It smelled so good.

  No one was behind the counter so he called to the kitchen. “Sophie, you back there?”

  She didn’t answer. He peeked through the porthole on the door. She was facing away from him and leaning on the counter. Her shoulders dropped.

  Worried something was wrong, he pushed open the door and cleared his throat because he didn’t want to startle her. “Sophie?” he asked softly.

  She turned around and her eyes were wet with tears. Without a word, he folded her into his arms. She sniffled. She leaned into him as though letting him hold her up.