Blind Date with my Billionaire Boss (Blind Date Disasters Book 5)

by Evangeline Kelly

  Later that evening, my buddy, Ron, called back. “Hey, Easton, it’s good to hear from you. What’s up?” We chatted for a while, and he caught me up on his life since we’d last spoken. I told him everything that had happened with Maya and how I couldn’t donate my kidney because I wasn’t a match.

  “I want to help, but I’m running out of ideas,” I said.

  “Well, if you’re still willing to donate a kidney, I know of a program that would benefit Maya. It’s called a never-ending altruistic donor chain, and it starts with a donor in the program giving to a person in need, and that person’s, willing but incompatible donor, giving to another person who is waiting. It’s like a never-ending chain of strangers donating to each other.”

  I scratched the side of my face. “So, how does that work exactly?”

  “A donor will be provided to Maya, and once she has her transplant, you would then donate your kidney to someone you are a match for. That’s how the program works.”

  It was as if a lightbulb went on in my head, and relief swept through me, hearing there was a solution to this problem. “I can’t thank you enough, Ron. This is an answer to prayer.”

  “I’m glad to help.”

  We talked for a little while longer, and once the call was over, I smiled. Things were looking up.

  Chapter 25

  Maya

  One month later…

  The day finally came for me to get my kidney transplant, and I was nervous and excited and overcome with gratitude. I was in a special room for surgery pre-op, and Mom and Easton waited with me. They sat on each side of me, holding my hands, whispering words of encouragement. Praying one moment. Joking another to keep my spirits up.

  Charlotte would have been there if they’d allowed three people, but they’d said two visitors were a stretch, and they’d already made an exception. Easton had been instrumental in getting that exception since he was a very persuasive man.

  I should know. He’d convinced me to be a part of a program that matched me with a donor. After my transplant, the plan was for Easton to donate one of his kidneys to someone else in the program. When he’d first told me about it, I’d protested. Believe me, I protested because I didn’t want him giving up his kidney because of me.

  But after taking time to pray about it and think it through, Charlotte pointed out that sometimes it’s harder to receive than to give, and that was because pride held us back. Few people wanted to inconvenience someone else or come across as needy, especially if one had an independent spirit.

  She was right. It was hard for me. Very difficult, in fact.

  But I finally relented because I was starting to see that it was important to Easton to be a part of my recovery, and it was time to lay aside my pride. I would forever be grateful to the woman who donated her kidney to me, as well as Easton, who would be donating once they matched him with another person in the program. Without him, none of this would have happened. He truly was my hero in more ways than one.

  And, of course, it all fell under the umbrella of God’s goodness. The Lord was also teaching me not to put love on the back burner because I was afraid of a shortened existence. Only he knew the minutes and hours and days left in a person’s life, and He was sovereignly in control of it all.

  “We’ll be praying for you the whole time,” Mom said, squeezing my hand.

  “I know you will, and I’m so thankful.”

  Easton cleared his throat, and I glanced over to find him smiling. “I’m all in. You understand that, right?”

  I smiled and nodded, loving that he didn’t leave me to wonder about his feelings. “If I didn’t get it by now, I’d be pretty dense.”

  That got a chuckle out of him. “Yeah, you could say that.”

  “I’m all in as well. We’re a team.”

  He leaned in and kissed me on the check and then brought his lips close to my ear. “I have a gift for you when this is all over. After we’re both recovered from our surgeries.”

  I blinked. “Can you give me a hint as to what it is?”

  He glanced at my mom, and they exchanged a knowing look. “It’s just something to show how much I love you, but you’ll have to be patient and wait. I promise you’ll like it.” He winked, and my heart fluttered a thousand times over.

  My Easton. The golden boy I once thought hated me. My high school bully, or so I had thought at one time. The reality had been that he’d stood up for me, but I hadn’t realized that back then, and now he wanted to make a sacrifice that few were willing to make. Just thinking about it brought tears to my eyes.

  I was so happy to be in this man’s life, and whatever gift he was referring to, I was sure I would enjoy it. A part of me knew in my gut what that gift might be, but I wouldn’t allow myself to dwell on it until it happened. No need to get my hopes up unnecessarily. But still…I had a feeling what it was because Easton, the man who’d been notoriously afraid of commitment, had made it very clear that he wanted a future with me, and that was one of the things I loved about him. I didn’t have to wonder where he stood anymore.

  “It’s time,” a nurse said, walking into the room with two others from the surgical team. “We’re going to wheel you into the operating room now.”

  Nerves should have overtaken me at that point, but I felt God’s peace surrounding me. “I’m ready.” I glanced at Mom and Easton. “See you on the other side.”

  Chapter 26

  Easton

  Two weeks later…

  Maya’s transplant went well, and she was coming home tomorrow. I was grateful for God’s hand on her life, and I would continue to pray that God sustained her through this process. I didn’t know what the future held, but I was thankful God knew, and He would guide us in the path He wanted us to take.

  So much had happened lately that I almost lost track of time. My race was in two weeks, and I was as ready as I would ever be. I’d trained six days a week. I did squats, lunges, burpees, and bear crawls in the morning and jogging in the evening. It was excruciating at times, but I’d given it my all, and I was looking forward to bringing this regimen to an end. Not that I didn’t enjoy exercise to a certain extent, but once this was over, I planned on taking a good long rest.

  Dad would be proud of my discipline if he were still alive. It was a shame we didn’t do this together before he passed, and I would always regret that, but I was doing it now in his honor.

  I’d just showered and dressed and was about to leave for work when I noticed a missed call from Diana Zalinski, the woman who coordinated the matches in the exchange program. She must have called while I was in the shower. I hit play to listen to the voicemail message.

  Good morning, Easton. This is Diana Zalinski. I know you said you wanted to wait a month or two before you donate your kidney, but you matched with a man who is in dire need of a transplant this week. No one else in our system is a match for him, and we would greatly appreciate it if you would consider changing your plans for this to work. His situation is deteriorating fast. Please give me a call back as soon as you get this.

  Seriously? They were putting this on me after I’d told them I had an important race and wouldn’t be available for at least a month? I couldn’t believe this. I’d worked so hard for this thing and put in hours of grueling training because I wanted Dad to be proud of me. I breathed in and let the breath out slowly, needing a moment to gain control of my emotions.

  I sat down on the couch and rested my head in my hands, trying to decide what to do. Did I give up everything I had worked for to help out this guy…this stranger I didn’t know? I was ready and willing to give up a kidney, but I’d been working towards this race for a long time, and it would be anticlimactic to just…let it go. My chest ached with the decision before me, and I found myself feeling resentful. This had been my one priority before Maya and I even started hanging out.

  Lord, I’ve been trying to put others’ needs above my own, but what about my own dreams and desires? This race was for me and Dad, an
d it would kill me to give it up now. How can you ask that of me?

  I sat quietly for several minutes until I realized that no answer was forthcoming. I left the house and drove to work, my stomach in knots, feeling irritable and grumpy and in no mood to be around people, but duty called. My phone dinged with a text from Charlotte, but since I was driving, I didn’t read it.

  I pulled into the parking lot and reminded myself that this was for Maya. I might be giving my kidney to a stranger, but it was all for her. If only the timing had been better.

  Once I parked, I checked Charlotte’s text.

  I read these verses this morning and thought of you with your race coming up. I’m praying for you! 1 Corinthians 9:24-25. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

  I read it quickly and winced when I realized it had to do with a race. God, are you trying to mock me? This is too much.

  I headed into the building and went straight to my office, closing the door, feeling as if a heavy weight rested on my shoulders. I knew what the right thing was, but I didn’t want to do it. Sure, I could back out and enroll in the race another year, but unless someone had worked as hard as I’d been working, they wouldn’t understand how frustrating it would be to start all over.

  I glanced at Charlotte’s text again and reread the verses a little slower this time around. An athlete ran to receive a perishable wreath, but we as Christians were to seek an imperishable prize. The word “imperishable” stuck out to me.

  Frankly, I wasn’t running to get an external prize. I was doing it for the internal satisfaction of honoring my dad. I wanted him to be proud of me. Frowning, I realized I was phrasing that as if he were still around. As if I could earn his approval now, and that just wasn’t the case.

  The truth was, he was gone, and the window of opportunity to run together had already passed. Yes, I signed-up to honor him, but he was in heaven with the Lord, and I couldn’t give him anything at this point.

  If I was being honest with myself, I was doing this race for me. So that I wouldn’t feel like I’d let him down. My back tensed and months of built up frustration resurfaced. In the end, it was easy to make a sacrifice for someone you loved. As soon as I’d found out Maya needed a kidney transplant, I’d volunteered to help right away because I loved her and wanted to be there for her. Helping her made me happy.

  But to sacrifice for a man I didn’t even know? That was infinitely harder.

  That was the test God was giving me.

  I came back to the last word in the verses Charlotte had sent me. Imperishable. The Lord wanted me to seek an imperishable wreath which meant focusing on a spiritual race, not an earthly one. Life was the race, and everything I did to glorify God was producing an imperishable prize in the end. The answer couldn’t have been clearer. If Dad were still alive, he would want me to help someone in need. The race wasn’t as important as someone else’s life.

  I picked up my phone and called Diana Zalinski to let her know that I was ready to help this man out. After that, I smiled at the realization that I’d come a long way. For a man who’d lived so much of his life for himself, God was teaching me little by little to put others first.

  Chapter 27

  Maya

  Six weeks later…

  There was nothing like staying in a sixteen thousand square foot mansion overlooking the ocean in Newport Beach. I stood on the balcony of the second-floor living room and looked out at the view, the breeze blowing through my hair, the scent of balmy salt water in the air. The white foam of the water contrasted against the yellow sand, as well as the blue sky above, creating the perfect picture. I’d already taken a photo and planned on framing it and putting it in my bedroom so I could transport myself to this place in my imagination whenever I wanted.

  I was no stranger to giant homes since Charlotte and I were best friends, and I had often visited at her parents’ home over the years, but there was something about being at the ocean that added another dimension to luxury.

  Easton and I had both recovered from our transplant surgeries, and by God’s grace, everything went well and we were both in good health. Easton had travelled to Michigan to donate his kidney, and I went with him, along with Charlotte and his mother. It would have killed me if I hadn’t been able to hold his hand before his surgery like he’d done for me. He was definitely a trooper, and when it was over, he stayed in the hospital for ten days and then we all flew back to L.A.

  He’d insisted that we take a long vacation after that, so we did, along with Charlotte and both of our mothers. His Newport Beach house had all the amenities, including a home theater, indoor and outdoor pools, and six bedrooms. We sunbathed during the day and watched movies in the evening, or just sat on the backyard porch and grilled and talked and enjoyed one another’s company. Sometimes we took a quick dip in the pool to cool off at night or strolled along the beach, peering up at all the stars in the sky.

  It was a small taste of heaven, though I knew it couldn’t even compare with the real thing. I didn’t ever want to put my hope in material possessions, but I was still thankful for the opportunity to stay here.

  Easton walked up beside me and placed an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. The others had opted to go outside to take a swim in the pool, but Easton and I hung back, taking a few moments to enjoy the quiet. “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  I grinned, and the smile stretched across my face until it couldn’t go any further. This was a season of happiness. Of so much joy, and I wanted to savor every second. “I’m thinking that I’m thankful. That I feel like I might burst because I’m so incredibly blessed.”

  He chuckled softly, appearing pleased with that answer. “Good. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.” He leaned down and pressed his cheek to mine, putting both arms around me and holding me close for several long moments. “I’m thankful too. I have all I need right here, and I’m not speaking about the house or the beach.” He kissed me gently on the lips.

  My heart melted at his words, and I looked up at him. “I feel the same way. It’s nice enjoying all of this, but none of it would mean anything without you.”

  “It’s been almost a month. You’re not sick of it yet?”

  I laughed. “Are you kidding me? I couldn’t ever get sick of being with you. It’ll be sad when our vacation ends, and we aren’t able to spend as much time with each other.” I pressed my lips together, trying to think of the right words to explain how I felt. “God gave me a second chance at life, and I don’t ever want to take any of this for granted. I don’t want to take you for granted. You pulled me through some rough times, Easton, and you were there for me. That means everything.”

  He stared at me for a long moment, his blue eyes piercing me to the spot. “It was worth it, Maya. You were worth it.” He took a black velvet box out of his pocket and fell to one knee, opening the box. Inside was a sparkling diamond ring that nearly took my breath away.

  My hands flew to my mouth. “Easton!” I’d known this was coming, but I hadn’t had a clue as to when it would happen.

  “Maya Anderson, I fell for you in high school, but it wasn’t until Charlotte set us up on that crazy blind date, that I knew you were the one.”

  I placed a hand on my heart, surprised by that statement. “Really? You knew I was the one on that horrible date?”

  He laughed. “Yep. It’s why I called you. There was no question you would refuse a second date, but you needed a job.”

  My mouth dropped open, and I threw my head back and laughed so hard, my side hurt. “I can’t believe you’re just now telling me this. If I’d known, it would have saved me a whole lot of angst along the way.”

  He looked up at me sheepishly, a lopsided grin on his face. “Do you forgive me? I was trying to play it cool until I was sure you returned my feeling
s.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. The Lord wanted to give us a rollercoaster ride, and all the ups and downs are what made getting to know you so exciting.”

  “I’m glad you see it that way because I love you more than I’ve loved anyone in my entire life, and I can’t imagine you not being at my side. You said a moment ago that you’ll be sad when we leave this place because we won’t see each other as much. Well, I’m hoping we can fix that soon. I want to marry you, Maya. I want us to be together always. What do you say? Will you be my wife?”

  There was so much hope and love in his expression that tears sprung to my eyes. “Yes! My answer is yes! I can’t wait to be your wife.”

  He jumped up and placed the ring on my finger and then he kissed me like I’d never been kissed before. It was as if all the tension of the last few months culminated in this one moment, and he made sure I knew exactly how he felt about me. His lips brushed over mine again and again, and when we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless and starry-eyed.

  “I considered throwing a big party and asking you in front of all the guests,” he said. “Or taking you up in a helicopter and giving you a tour of L.A. But in the end, I thought you would enjoy a quiet moment like this more.”

  “You’re right, and I’m glad you did it this way.” I wasn’t one to draw attention to myself, so I was grateful it was only the two of us without a bunch of spectators. “Should we go down and tell the others the good news?”

  “Yes, but let’s wait a few minutes. I just want to enjoy the moment.”