at Royce as he explained his plan. The money he gave wasn’t going into this man’s pocket, yet it still made Francis happy because it meant he could help more people every day. That humbled Royce.
“There isn’t enough to cover all I’m suggesting, but I’m willing to donate the additional funds myself,” he said, waving away Francis’s protests. “But I have a confession to make.”
Francis was all ears.
“I’m going to need your help.”
Thirty minutes later, Francis was more than on board.
Jasmine watched the men approach, her mouth dry and her heart pounding. Her hands shook as she tried to maneuver the hot pan of food into the empty slot on the steam table.
They sure looked chummy.
Not that she wanted Francis to be angry at Royce. She’d deliberately told no one except her sisters about the break because the responsibility was hers. Royce had told her, warned her in many different ways, that he wasn’t built for family or forever. She’d chosen to listen to her heart, instead. And she’d paid the price.
Now, part of her felt violated that he was here, in her space, her territory. Not that she owned the mission. The feeling was ridiculous. But it was there, nonetheless.
She also needed to face the fact that she might be seeing a lot of Royce during the upcoming construction. Or maybe not. Certainly if he returned to his normal way of conducting business, it wouldn’t be a problem.
He’d just put someone in charge and go on his way.
But she never would have imagined him coming to the mission of his own accord, so anything was possible. And something in his expression told her that he was going to choose a hands-off approach.
“Jasmine,” Francis started, “Royce brought delightful news today.”
Her smile felt unnatural, like hard plastic. But it was better than crying.
In contrast, Francis looked ecstatic. “We’re not getting just one new dormitory, but two.”
Shock rippled through her. “Excuse me?”
“Royce himself is donating the cost of a new women’s dorm—in full. We will be able to provide better accommodations and turn the original housing into small private rooms so families can stay together while they’re with us.”
“Um...” Speechless didn’t begin to touch it. This was a dream she and Francis had discussed for several years but they’d figured it was forever out of reach.
“And he wants you to work with him on it.”
Whoa. What? “I do events, not buildings.”
“But you know more than anyone what these women need,” Francis pointed out. “You could offer great insight into planning and utilization of the space to meet those needs.”
Why wasn’t Royce saying anything?
“You two talk about it. Then come see me.” Francis laid a hand on Jasmine’s arm and gave her the same comforting smile he’d been offering since she first walked through the door at fifteen. “Just consider it.”
Jasmine forced herself to tell the woman working next to her that she needed to take a break. Then she stripped off her gloves and headed out the back door to the small lawn where Francis maintained his beloved rose bushes. Royce could follow if he wanted.
Her thoughts whirled ninety to nothing. When she couldn’t stand the chaos anymore, she turned on him. “Seriously? What is this? Some kind of ploy?”
“Actually, it’s an apology.”
Surprise left Jasmine speechless for a moment. There’d been way too much that left her speechless today. She crossed her arms under her breasts and summoned the firm tone she used when the boys in the afterschool programs decided to act the fool. “Explain.”
“It’s an apology from me to Francis...and to you. And a decision my father will hate—so it’s a win-win.”
She raised a brow, completely uninterested in talking about John Nave.
Royce stepped closer. Jasmine was glad she had her arms crossed in front of her. It lessened the temptation to reach out and touch him. “It’s an apology for acting out of greed.”
Jasmine found herself holding her breath as he met and held her gaze. “I started all of this in an effort to make money, Jasmine. Now, on the other side of it, I realize how wrong that is. You were right. I wish I could say I did the masquerade in an effort to help people, to help the mission. But I honestly didn’t care about the mission’s needs.”
His next step brought him just inches from her. “But I was right about one thing.”
“What’s that?” she whispered, then cleared her throat.
“You were the heart of all we did together.”
She couldn’t push him away when he leaned down to kiss her, but she couldn’t pull him closer, either. The conflict inside of her refused to die.
And he refused to move away. “Now, tell me what happened, Jasmine.”
This time she was silent because she wasn’t sure what to say, not because of sheer stubbornness.
“I’m used to the sexy, strong woman who set me straight in her own sweet and sassy way. This silence is scary.”
“Well, it’s easier to be sassy when there’s nothing big at stake.”
“Is there something big at stake now?”
Jasmine turned away. She just couldn’t bear to face his intent gaze. “Just leave it alone, Royce.”
“I didn’t get where I am by walking away.”
That sparked her temper. “I’m not a business deal.” Her voice rose as she tossed the words back over her shoulder.
“And I’m not a robot. Next to losing my mother, nothing has impacted me like losing you.”
She wanted to believe that, but she couldn’t ignore what she’d heard. “Then why would you do it?”
“Jasmine, I’m afraid I need more to go on.”
“I overheard you with your father, Royce!” Jasmine whirled around to confront him. “How could you shake that man’s hand and say ‘I have never let anything stand in the way of my success. I’m not about to start now’?”
“Because I needed to speak in a language he understood.”
The confusion on his face frustrated her. She groaned, then stomped away. How could he dismiss this so easily?
“I’m
