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“He’s got a point,” Hunter said. Finally, I had a brother on my side. “Although the small business idea seems good too. That wouldn’t be a part of the foundation?”
“It could be, I suppose. But my understanding was that the foundation was for charitable causes. This is more of a business loan and training program. We’ve already identified a recipient. Morgan Andrews.”
What? Who? I straightened in my chair.
“That’s Beth’s friend, right?” Chase asked.
“Yes. She’s wanted to open a food service business. She’s got good ideas, and I think she would be successful,” Ash said. “I can manage it with Beth, so none of you have to be hands-on.”
“Wait, I’m the restaurant expert. Shouldn’t I be involved?” I asked. There was no way I could pass this up. And it wasn’t the restaurant idea that had my mood taking an upward shift. All of a sudden, the idea of working with Morgan to design a menu and open a restaurant perked me up.
“What sort of restaurant does she want to open?” Chase asked.
“She actually wants to have a food cart.”
“What?” I cringed. “She can’t expect to make any decent money from a food cart. The money is in upscale.”
“That’s not what she said she wanted,” Ash said.
“She was probably thinking small because she didn’t have funding. With Raven support, she can have the resources she needs.”
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask her about it. But Morgan would have the final say. This is her business.”
“I can help her with this,” I insisted.
“Kade’s right. If she’s to have the best chance of success, maybe he needs to be involved,” Chase said.
“I don’t have any problem with that,” Ash said. “But it is her decision.”
When I left the meeting, my mood was significantly lifted. That is, until Ash entered my office with the look that said I was about to get a lecture.
“Here is the information I have so far on Beth’s program ideas as well as Morgan’s food service business.” Ash handed me two files.
“I’ll look them over now.”
Ash took a seat in the chair in front of my desk. “What’s the deal with you and Morgan?”
“There is no deal.” That was true. We’d agreed on one night, and while it didn’t go quite as planned, it ended exactly as we’d agreed. If only I could forget it and move on, my life would be so much easier.
“I meant what I said before, Kade. She’s not someone you can fuck and then leave.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. “Why are you here?” I had to wonder if Morgan said something to Beth who then blabbed to Ash.
“You just seem a little more eager than I’d have thought to take on this project. Morgan is Beth’s best friend, and I don’t want you hurting her.”
“I don’t have to fuck her to help her start a restaurant.”
“I don’t want you fucking her at all. She deserves more.”
It was stupid how much that comment hurt. “I get it. You think I’m an asshole that doesn’t deserve what the rest of you have.”
He jerked back. “No.”
“Ah yes, that’s just want you said.”
“You deserve happiness with a woman if want it. But you’ve been pretty clear in your words and actions that you like the playboy lifestyle. All I’m saying is that Morgan doesn’t become one of your notches.”
Too late. I glared at him.
“Unless…are you giving up the playboy lifestyle? Do you like Morgan?”
Yes. “No. I know how to control my dick, Ash. I’m not the one who knocked up a girl.”
“Hey. That’s my wife and daughter you’re dissing.”
“I’m not dissing them. I’m just saying I’m not irresponsible. I don’t knock up women, fuck interns, or therapists that end up getting their licenses suspended. That’s the rest of you.”
Ash sat back and studied me. “Maybe you should. It’s turned out okay for the rest of us.”
I leaned forward. “If I’m going to find happiness by messing up like you guys did, then shouldn’t I be fucking my sister-in-law’s friend? The recipient of Raven money? That breaks all sorts of rules and ethics.”
Ash’s jaw tensed. “Keep your dick away from Morgan. I mean it, Kade.”
I sat back. “I’ve got work to do.”
He stood, and I was glad he was accepting my dismissal of him. “Let me know what you think of these proposals.”
Jesus. I let out a breath. What the fuck was I going to do? I didn’t want to heed Ash’s advice. The truth was, I was seriously regretting agreeing to a one-night stand. One time with Morgan wasn’t enough. She wasn’t a virgin anymore. And to think of the things I could teach her… My dick sprang to life just thinking about it.
At the same time, Ash was probably right that I shouldn’t risk Beth’s project or her friend’s heart. That meant I’d need to behave. Keep everything professional with Morgan as we built her restaurant, because there was no way I was doing a food cart.
