Page 6 of The Billionaire Invitation

“Hmm.”

“That’s—” He shook his head. “Not what I meant.”

She offered a restrained smile as her cheeks blushed pink.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth over the years. I’ve been on a hiring spree to keep up. I have to stay flexible to travel.”

“How is your family?”

“Brody and his fiancée are expecting a baby girl any day now.”

“Brody? Wow. Is this the first baby in the family?” Her smile was more genuine now.

“Yeah, he beat me to it.”

“Well, Uncle Dante. You’d better keep your schedule flexible. How are your other siblings? Or should I ask where are they?”

“Here, actually.”

“Your entire family is in Illinois?”

“Not Dad. And Brody and Reagan are in New York part-time. But yeah, Jaylyn’s in the city and so is Zander, with his first girlfriend since Emily passed.” After he said it, he realized that Honesty hadn’t known that news.

“I’m sorry to hear about Zander’s wife.” Her face fell. “So much has happened since…”

Since we broke up, he silently finished for her.

“And your business?” he asked. “Do you have a lot of clients?”

“I did. I used to. I don’t do many one-on-ones any longer. Somehow I went from passionate solopreneur to employing a team. And now…” She shook her head. “I don’t know. It’s a half-baked idea.”

His ears perked. “Half-baked ideas are my specialty.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Now you have to tell me.”

“It’ll sound silly to someone who runs an entire foundation.”

“You have my undivided attention.” He stepped closer to her. So close, her confection-like perfume tickled his nostrils. His mouth watered as he picked up notes of caramel and almond. A hint of cinnamon…

Was it normal to want to kiss an ex-girlfriend fifteen minutes upon reuniting with her?

“I have an idea for a charity. For veterans.” She wrinkled her nose. “A bit more than an idea. I want to provide meals and teach nutrition and cooking so that they can lead long and healthy lives.”

“That’s admirable.”

“Thanks.” She cupped her wineglass with both hands. “I’m a little shy about the asking-for-money part. I’m no socialite.”

“Philanthropy is more than ass-kissing.”

“I didn’t mean to imply—” Her eyebrows jumped.

“No, you didn’t.” They were back to being polite. Careful. There was a time when they would have gone to the mat over less and had make-up sex shortly after. “I was agreeing with you in a really weird way.”

A group of women filed out the balcony doors, intercepting their conversation. He had a choice to make. Either wish Honesty well or continue the evening at her side. He knew what he wanted.

Now to convince her.