Secret Miami Nights

It wasn’t the first time a check had bounced, and since it probably wouldn’t be the last, Haley took a deep breath and channeled positive thoughts. “How much was the check for?”

“A hundred thousand dollars.”

The phone slipped from her hand, but Haley caught it before it hit the desk. A burning sensation warmed her chest, and knots formed in her stomach. She loved her job and couldn’t imagine ever returning to the corporate world, but she was tired of donors letting them down. And she could do without living paycheck to paycheck as well. The nonprofit sector was not for the faint of heart, and if Haley didn’t love her staff and the students they mentored she would’ve thrown in the towel years ago.

Telling herself there was nothing she couldn’t handle, Haley said, “We received several checks last week. Did they all bounce?”

“No, thankfully, the other three cleared just fine.”

Haley sighed in relief. “So, we’re in good shape, then? Everything’s okay?”

“Not exactly. Without those funds, we’ll have to veto the Third Annual Girls’ Day Extravaganza in September. We just can’t afford it.”

“No way. We can’t do that. The students are pumped about the event. Calvin, we’re not canceling.”

“We have to. We have no choice.”

“Becca and everyone else on the team has worked tirelessly to organize the event, and we can’t disappoint the community,” she said, raising her voice to prove she meant business. “Parents are counting on us, our girls too, and I won’t let them down.”

“Haley, your heart’s in the right place, and I know how passionate you are about the foundation, but the numbers don’t lie. If we don’t cancel Girls’ Day and tighten our spending going forward, The Aunt Penny Foundation will have to close its doors forever.”

His words were a powerful blow, like a fist to the gut.

“We’ve been operating in the red for years, but we can’t go on like this much longer.”

“Calvin, don’t talk like that.”

“I’m not trying to dampen your spirits—”

“Then don’t. Give me the numbers, so I know exactly where we stand.”

Haley grabbed her ballpoint pen and made notes in her agenda, diligently writing down everything Calvin said about the finances. “I’ll think of something,” she promised, refusing to concede defeat. “I’ll find another donor. A hundred donors if that’s what it takes.”

Calvin chuckled, and his hearty laugh temporarily brightened her mood.

“We’ve worked together for years. I should know by now not to doubt you,” he said. “You always come through. That’s what makes you a great CEO. You’re a go-getter who’s a hundred percent committed to this foundation, and the best person to lead us.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Calvin, and for bringing me up to speed on the finances. I’ll call you once I have some fabulous new donors lined up.”

“Sounds great. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

Enjoy the rest of the day? Fat chance of that happening, she thought, dropping the phone on the cradle and her face in her hands. A country music song was now playing on the radio. The female singer was lamenting the loss of her no-good, cheating boyfriend, and Haley wanted to gag. You think you have problems? Try living in my world!

What was she going to do? Haley wanted to call Aunt Penny, but thought better of it. Her aunt needed to rest. Home recovering after having a mild heart attack weeks earlier, Aunt Penny insisted she was fine, but her doctor was concerned about her declining health, as were Haley, Becca and everyone at the foundation. Aunt Penny used to be a regular fixture at the office, dropping by weekly with baked goods and treats for the staff, but these days she spent her time napping and knitting in her favorite chair.

Drumming her fingernails on the desk, racking her brain for answers, Haley considered returning to Fisher Island. Going door-to-door to solicit donations was risky, and since she didn’t want to make enemies of Ashton’s wealthy neighbors she abandoned the thought.

An image of the handsome COO with the dark skin, chiseled features and megawatt smile flashed in her mind. He spoke about causes and issues that were important to her, and was passionate about helping others. Ashton was a doer, someone who made things happen, and Haley could use his advice. Should she call him? Should she ask the Millionaire Moguls for help? Begging didn’t sit right with her, not even on behalf of the foundation, so Haley considered other options that didn’t involve her dreamy, brown-eyed crush.

Ten people with deep pockets, she decided. That’s all she needed to reach her goal.

Feeling hopeful, she opened her drawer, grabbed her address book and flipped it open. Time to work her magic, because there was no way in hell she was canceling the Girls’ Day Extravaganza. The students were worth it, and she wasn’t going to let them down.

Names and faces flashed in her mind. Haley thought of all the charity events The Aunt Penny Foundation had hosted over the years, of all the people who’d supported the organization since its inception, and hoped they’d come through for her one more time.

Swallowing her pride, she swiped the phone off the cradle, prepared to say and do anything to keep the foundation afloat, and dialed the first number in her address book.

Chapter 5

It was true what they said, Ashton thought, opening the front door of the Miami Soup Kitchen and marching inside. A man would do anything to impress a woman, even volunteer on a Friday night.

Entering the center, Ashton took in his surroundings. Sparsely decorated, with potted lights and chipped tables, the dining room needed a fresh coat of paint. It was a dingy space with an unsavory scent, and if Ashton wasn’t romantically interested in Haley he’d be in his car, heading back to Fisher Island to barbecue on his new grill.

Ashton shoved his keys into the pocket of his slacks. He’d driven the Porsche again tonight, in part to impress Haley and to prove to himself it wasn’t haunted. Thankfully, he’d had no visions of Mia or the accident during the thirty-minute drive from his office. Thoughts of Haley, though, had consumed his mind. More excited than a kid on Christmas Day, Ashton could hardly wait to see the petite beauty. He hoped she’d change her mind and have drinks with him at the Rooftop Bar after dinner.

The sound of boisterous laughter drew Ashton’s attention to the back of the room. A group of teenagers were playing cards, several people were texting and chatting on their cell phones and two heavyset men were arguing in Spanish.

“You look lost.”

Ashton glanced over his shoulder, spotted a short, Caucasian man standing in the kitchen and nodded his head in greeting.

“How can I help you, son?” The man’s face was lined with wrinkles, and he spoke with a lisp.

“I’m supposed to meet Haley Adams here. By any chance, have you seen her?”

“Nope.” Shrugging, the man put on a hair net and an apron. “Don’t think Haley’s coming tonight. I overheard one of the other volunteers say she has other plans.”

He felt so disappointed his shoulders sagged. He’d wasted his time coming to the shelter. He should have stayed at work, perfecting his speech for the Caracas Business Summit instead of driving across town to volunteer. Why hadn’t Haley called to give him a heads-up? Ashton wondered. Had she forgotten about him already? Was she on a date with another man?

Ashton turned to leave, noticed everyone in the room was staring at him and changed his mind. Since he had no other plans, he decided to stay and help out. Taking off his sunglasses, he tucked them into his back pocket. Having a wardrobe in his office, he’d changed from his tailored suit into a striped Ralph Lauren shirt, black pants and leather sandals. Feeling overdressed in his designer threads, he made a mental note to wear jeans the next time he came to the shelter.

“I’m Ashton,” he said, approaching the kitchen counter.

“Good to meet you.” The man in the apron smiled, revealing chipped, coffee-stained teeth.

“Everyone calls me Monty.”

“I’m here to volunteer. What do you need me to do?”

Surprise flashed in his eyes, but he gestured to the hallway. “Take out the garbage in the bathrooms, mop the floor and, if it’s not too much trouble, set up some more tables.”

“No trouble at all, Monty.”

For an hour, Ashton helped clean and organize the dining room. Giving back to the community made him feel proud, as if he was making a difference, and cracking jokes with the other volunteers put him in a good mood. Ashton was standing beside the window, scrubbing maple syrup off the walls when he heard a familiar voice. Haley’s. Curious, he dropped his rag into the bucket of soapy water and peered into the kitchen. There she was. Standing at the stove, stirring a metal pot with a wooden spoon, flirting with a male volunteer.

His eyes narrowed and the muscles in his jaw quivered. Ashton wanted to march into the kitchen and pull Haley away from the stranger, but he knew it was a bad idea. He didn’t want her to think he was a hothead, and if he made a scene she’d lose respect for him.

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