slaving away in the kitchen twenty-four seven.”
Robyn frowned and poked out her bottom lip. “Why not?”
“The emphasis at the SP Grill is on luxury foods like caviar, lobster and foie gras, but I’m willing to tweak the menu, just for you.”
“You’d better,” she said, her tone full of sass. “Or I’ll take my business elsewhere.”
The sound of her laughter brought a smile to his mouth, made him feel better than he had in weeks. “The SP Grill opens on Labor Day, and to celebrate, I’m throwing the biggest bash LA has ever seen.”
That’s if you’re not in jail! joked his inner voice.
Sean refused to entertain the thought and refocused his attention on Robyn. “I’d like you to be my date for the grand-opening celebration,” he said, gently stroking her hand with his own. “It’s going to be the biggest night of my life, and I want to share it with you.”
Her eyes dimmed, lost their warmth, and Sean knew instinctively that Robyn was going to turn him down. They’d had great conversations about life, shared the same values and enjoyed each other’s company, so why was she playing hard to get? Or maybe she wasn’t playing, Sean thought, swallowing hard. Maybe Robyn was dating someone else. Was that why she was brushing him off? Why she refused to look him in the eye? Because there was another man in her life?
“Are you inviting your family to your grand opening?”
Hell no, he thought, but didn’t say. He missed his family—especially Kim—but he couldn’t bring himself to call them. “I don’t know,” he said with a shrug. “Why does it matter?”
“Because they’re my employers and you’re their estranged son.”
Sean raised an eyebrow, gave her a skeptical look. “I don’t work at the resort anymore, and furthermore, you’re a grown woman who’s free to date whoever she wants.”
And, by date whoever you want, I mean me!
“I can’t attend your grand opening.”
His shoulders fell. Sean was disappointed that Robyn wouldn’t be at his side on the most important night of his life and wondered if there was anything he could do to change her mind. “Are you seeing someone?” he asked, driven by curiosity.
“No, but under the current circumstances, it wouldn’t be right. I don’t want to upset your parents, or cause a rift between me and Kim. She’s my boss and, more importantly, my best friend, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Sean nodded, as if he understood, but inside he was doing a slow burn. He loved his sister dearly—even though she’d stolen the resort right from under his nose—but there was no way in hell he was letting her control his love life. He’d have to find a way to see Robyn again, away from the resort, and prove to her his feelings were real. In the meantime, he’d earn her trust and romance her, Parker-style.
“I should use the ladies’ room before I head back to the resort.” Robyn put down her fork, wiped her mouth with a napkin and picked up her handbag. “I’ll be right back.”
“You can’t leave. We just got here.”
“No,” she corrected. “We got here two hours ago.”
Sean checked his Rolex watch, saw the time, and his eyes widened. He couldn’t believe it was so late; more surprising still, despite all the work he had to do at the SP Grill, he didn’t want to leave. It was true what they said. Time did fly when you’re having fun. He’d like nothing more than to spend the rest of the day with Robyn. Talking, joking, kissing—
“I’d better hurry. I have a three o’clock appointment.”
“Don’t go. I’m having a great time with you, and I want to hear more about your plans for the weekend.” Sean cringed when he heard the words leave his mouth and wished he could stuff them back inside. So much for playing it cool. He felt like an ass for sounding desperate and hoped he hadn’t blown his chance with her.
“I can’t,” Robyn said, shaking her head wildly from side to side, a smirk playing on her lips. “If I’m late to meet Kim, she’ll beat me up, and I happen to like this face.”
He did, too.
Sean stood, pulled out Robyn’s chair and watched as she breezed through the dining room, dazzling everyone she passed with her radiant smile. The event planner was sexy from head to toe, and Sean noticed he wasn’t the only one admiring her figure. He felt a rush of pride when he saw the other male patrons checking her out. On several occasions, he’d seen celebrity guests at the Belleza proposition her, and to his surprise and relief, she’d spurned their advances. Unlike his ex-girlfriend, Trina Erickson. For Trina, the richer and the more famous the better. In fact, she’d been more interested in rubbing elbows with luminaries than improving their relationship, and her thirst for the good life ultimately had led to their breakup. Sean had learned at a very early age that people didn’t care about him, only what his last name could do for them, but Robyn, unlike the women he’d hooked up with in the past, didn’t give a damn about his last name or his family connections.
Sean heard someone whistle behind him and glanced over his shoulder. A full-figured woman with frizzy hair blew him a kiss, but he ignored her. He was with Robyn—a titillating beauty who excited him, and he’d never do anything to disrespect her.
Returning to his seat, Sean took his cell phone out of his pocket and listened to his messages. His eyes narrowed, and a scowl twisted his lips. A detective from the Belleza Police Department wanted to meet with him. Sean wanted to prove his innocence and show his parents and everyone else at the Belleza they were dead wrong about him being the arsonist, but he didn’t have the time. The SP Grill was opening in a few short weeks and he had his hands full with work. And if he played his cards right, he’d be spending all of his free time with Robyn.
“Would your wife like another mocha cappuccino?” the waitress asked.
My wife? To Sean’s surprise, he liked the idea of Robyn being Mrs. Sean Parker, of them living happily ever after in his new five-bedroom dream house. At thirty-three, he’d dated his fair share of women, but Robyn was in a class all her own. And not just because of her killer curves. She was a free thinker, with a can-do attitude and, most important, loyal. Robyn had proved, time and time again, that she could be trusted, and he appreciated having her in his life.
“No, thanks,” he said, retrieving his wallet from his suit pocket. Sean opened the leather sleeve, slid a couple hundred-dollar bills inside and stood, just in time to see Robyn approach their table. Taking her hand, he led her out of the restaurant and through the glass doors.
The sun was hot, the air humid and the breeze light. It was the perfect day to go swimming, and if Robyn wasn’t in a rush to meet Kim, he would have invited her back to his place. Though he was swamped at work—hiring staff, finalizing menus and meeting with vendors—he was never too busy for Robyn, and he liked the idea of her hanging out at his house. “When can I see you again?”
“Next time you’re at the resort, call me, and we’ll have lunch.”
Sean wore a blank face, didn’t let his frustration show. Why would Robyn suggest meeting up at the Parker resort? A place he wanted nothing to do with? He thought hard for
