It’s just a business dinner. No big deal.”
Then why are your knees knocking together? her inner voice asked.
Dismissing the question, Haley told herself she had nothing to worry about. Besides, it was too late to change her mind. If she left now it would ruin everything. Add to that, getting to Fisher Island had been an exhausting ordeal, and she was starving. After getting her name cleared by security and ferrying her car across Biscayne Bay, she’d driven the ten miles to Ashton’s opulent neighborhood. Home to celebrities, dignitaries and international businessmen, Fisher Island was remote, exclusive and elegant. She felt out of place driving past the custom-built mansions in her second-hand car. A tropical oasis with breathtaking scenery, Mediterranean architecture and luxury yachts, the island was described as “the playground of the rich.” The Rollinses were the richest of the rich, and Haley hoped she didn’t say or do anything to screw up her business meeting.
Opening the visor, Haley checked her hair and makeup for the umpteenth time. Wanting to look professional, she’d paired a canary-yellow sundress with a fitted cardigan, gold accessories and wedge sandals. She’d hastily added a touch of mascara and some lip gloss before heading out her condo door.
Haley took a deep breath. Enough stalling. Time to get the show on the road. The Aunt Penny Foundation was counting on her to secure the support of the Millionaire Moguls, and nothing was going to stop her. Not even her frazzled nerves.
The front door of the mansion swung open and Ashton appeared, instantly seizing her attention. Peering out of the windshield, Haley leaned forward in her seat. Tall, with dark skin, close-cropped hair and a neatly trimmed mustache and goatee, Ashton Rollins had a face made for movies and a body made for sin. Dressed in a blue button-down shirt, belted shorts and sandals, not only did he look handsome he exuded confidence and masculinity. There wasn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t find Ashton Rollins sexy, and seeing him again caused her pulse to soar and her heart to race. He was staring right at her. Watching her every move.
Grabbing her clutch purse off the passenger seat, Haley stepped out of the car, ready to meet the hottie COO with the thousand-watt smile. He was a one-night stand waiting to happen, and as he jogged down the steps goose bumps pricked her skin. Haley didn’t know if she was sweating profusely because of the heat or because Ashton was headed her way, but she suspected it was the latter. He made her nervous, unsure of herself, and keeping her wits during dinner was going to be harder than riding a bicycle backwards in six-inch heels.
“Welcome to Fisher Island.” Leaning in close, he kissed her cheek. “It’s great to see you again, Haley.”
“Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here. Your home is stunning.”
“I have dinner waiting for us poolside. Do you like soul food?”
Haley smiled. “Of course I do. Doesn’t everyone?”
Resting a hand on her lower back, Ashton guided her along the stone pathway that led to the rear of the mansion. “If you’d like, after dinner I can give you a tour of the estate...”
Wow, this is what heaven must look like, Haley thought, admiring the expansive grounds. The property was attractive and serene, and everything in the outdoor living room was state-of-the-art and designer quality. A wrought-iron table covered with fine china, bronze candelabra and a glass vase filled with sunflowers was beside the Olympic-size pool. The air smelled of spices, the savory aromas from the outdoor kitchen carrying on the breeze, and jazz played on the stereo system. Haley couldn’t wait to tell Aunt Penny about the Rollins estate; she knew the eighty-eight-year-old senior would love hearing about her business dinner.
Ashton pulled out a chair at the table, and Haley thanked him. Taking a seat, she noticed a heavyset black woman with auburn braids emerge from the house carrying a gold serving tray in one hand and a pitcher in the other.
“Haley, this is my personal chef and surrogate mom, Ms. Edith.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Haley said, licking her lips. “Something smells delicious.”
Wearing a proud smile, Ms. Edith set two bowls down on the table and filled their water glasses to the brim. “I’ll be back shortly with the second course, so eat up before your soup gets cold.”
“Ms. Edith don’t play,” Ashton whispered. “We’d better do as we’re told, or we won’t get dessert. I don’t know about you but I live for peach cobbler.”
Giggling, Haley stirred the thick, orange soup. It tasted so good she finished it within seconds.
“Someone’s hungry,” he teased, his eyes bright with mischief. “Would you like more?”
“No, I’m pacing myself. I have to save room for the next course, because it’s obvious Ms. Edith’s an exceptional cook, and I want to try everything she made tonight.”
“How do you know I didn’t make the soup?”
Hayley scoffed. “You? Cook? I bet you can’t even boil water.”
“You’re right, I can’t, but I did a hell of a job setting the table!”
They shared a laugh, and Haley realized she’d been stressed out for nothing. Despite his wealth and social status, Ashton wasn’t a smug, stuck-up rich boy. He was personable and laid-back, easy to talk to, and cracked more jokes than a comedian on Comedy Central.
“We should discuss The Aunt Penny Foundation,” she said, curious why he’d invited her to his estate. “What’s on your mind?”
“Tell me how you got involved with the organization.”
His question confused her. Frowning, she cocked her head to the right. Hadn’t he read the dossier Becca had submitted in May about the foundation? Hadn’t he paid attention during her colleague’s presentation? Telling herself it didn’t matter, Haley opened up to him about her family background and her fifteen-year relationship with Penny Washington. “When I was a kid, my parents worked several jobs, and our neighbor, Ms. Penny, took pity on me because I was home alone a lot. She never married and had no children of her own, and she looked out for me,” she explained, as happy memories filled her mind. “If not for Aunt Penny’s kindness and generosity I never would have been able to afford to go to university.”
“She sounds like an incredible person. You’re lucky to have her.”
“I know, that’s why I came up with the idea for a nonprofit organization that would give other talented, gifted youth from the inner city an Aunt Penny of their own...”
Ms. Edith returned, and Haley waited as the cook cleared the empty bowls, put down plates of cornbread salad and promptly left. Remembering the last time she’d had soul food made her heart sad. She’d joined her ex-boyfriend and his loved ones to celebrate his dad’s seventieth birthday. It felt bittersweet to think about the fun, gregarious Argentinian family she’d come to love as her own. Haley wanted to be with someone who was loyal and supportive, who wouldn’t try to change her or control her—and even though her ex had turned out to be Mr. Wrong, she still missed his family. She hadn’t dated anyone since their breakup last year, but Haley was tired of being single, and wanted one special man in her life.
“Do you like your job?”
His question broke into her thoughts. “I love it. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
“How
