Page 2 of The Billionaire Dating Game

Candice grunted. Nothing so far sounded appealing.

“The players are much bigger…richer too.”

So, that’s how Anna afforded the expensive wardrobe and fancy lifestyle. “I don’t know. I need to look for work or I’ll have to postpone graduating for another semester.” This was their last year as roommates. Anna wanted her own place, and Candice couldn’t afford a two-bedroom and school fees on her measly income.

Anne pulled her phone from her back pocket, her fingers rapidly moved over the keys.

“What are you doing?”

“I received a deposit when I accepted the date. I’m putting half into your student account.”

“No!” She lunged, snatching the phone as Anna said,“Done.”“Please tell me you didn’t rent me out as though I was a bed and breakfast?”

A notification popped up on Candice’s phone. It was from the bursar’s office, notifying her that not only had the funds for last semester’s tuition been paid, but it also put a sizable dent into what she owed for her final year.

“That’s only half of what you got?” she asked in disbelief.

Shit.This wasn’t some freshman wanting to score points.

She was way over her head.

“Consider the other half a finder’s fee. This way you don’t have to stress about working.”

“I can’t take this, Anna.” She was still indebted from the last time her friend paid her tuition. Owing people was not her cup of tea.

“I know that look,” Anna said. “The funds are not a loan, Candice. It’s yours, free and clear, in exchange for being this guy’s date. You don’t owe me a dime of it back and if it makes you feel any better, after this we’ll be square on the other funds too.”

That got her attention. “Wait what? You wouldn’t hold it over me anymore?”

“You heard me,” Anna said in a bored tone, but she was anything but.

Candice was being reeled in like a fish on a hook and she knew it. She eyed Anna. “Why don’t you want to go on this date?”

“I’m sick, remember, and I wouldn’t be my best at parties.”

She didn’t buy that for a second. Nothing kept Anna from putting on a show.

Did the ‘why’ matter?Candice hated owing anyone, and this was her chance to make things square with Anna. She issued a string of curses in all four languages she knew. There was no way the school would refund that money. Neither could she afford to repay it. “You’re officially the worst friend.”

“I’m your only friend.”

She didn’t dispute that. During the school year, she’d been too busy with her degree to maintain meaningful relationships, and Anna didn’t give two figs that she shopped thriftily.

Her friend didn’t come from money either, but damn the girl knew how to get it, and Candice couldn’t fault her for being savvy.

“You need to be at the airport by 7 p.m., and you’ll need to pack an overnight bag,” Anna informed her. “Your first event is tonight.”

A bag?

“Anna…” she pleaded. “About this app, it wasn’t developed by one of your tech friends, was it?” The last thing she needed was to hook up with a professor.

“Nope!” Anna held up her phone. “Found him on the Holidates app.”

CHAPTER TWO

Alexei

“Ididn’t expect to see you here.”

---