Secret Miami Nights. Pamela Yaye
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 long have you been CEO?”
“For three years, and even though the foundation has faced some trying times in recent months, there’s nowhere else I’d rather work. I have a dedicated, committed team, and incredible sponsors in my corner as well.”
“Tell me more about the services The Aunt Penny Foundation provides.” Ashton reached for his glass and took a drink.
“We provide counselling, tutoring in all subject areas, and our job preparation classes offer coaching, help with résumés, and even mock interviews.”
Ashton raised an eyebrow. Haley could tell that he was impressed with the work they were doing at The Aunt Penny Foundation.
“That’s terrific, Haley. It sounds like you and your staff are doing fantastic work in the community.”
Touched by his words, she smiled in response. “Thanks, Ashton. We’re trying our best.”
“How many scholarships are awarded each year, and what criteria are used to select the recipients?”
“Every year, we receive dozens of scholarship applications, and incredible personal essays, but unfortunately we can only award five scholarships. We select recipients in financial need with high academic achievement, who have volunteered for a minimum of one year.”
“I’m thrilled Prescott George is partnering with The Aunt Penny Foundation this year. It’s the smartest thing we’ve ever done, and I look forward to learning more about you, and your brilliant students...”
Haley listened in awe as he spoke. She met with businessmen on a regular basis on behalf of the foundation, but she’d never met anyone like Ashton. Unlike the hedge fund manager she’d had brunch with yesterday, he didn’t drone on and on about his high-profile job, or his staggering wealth. Instead, he was gracious and kind. A part of her couldn’t help wondering if he’d be so nice to her if he knew her BFF, Becca, was engaged to his nemesis, Joshua DeLong. That afternoon, she’d bumped into the happy couple as they were leaving the foundation’s offices for lunch, and when Haley mentioned she was having dinner with Ashton that evening Joshua had scowled.
His words replayed in her mind, drowning out the BB King song playing on the stereo. Be careful. Don’t fall under Ashton’s spell. He’s not who you think he is.
From her talks with Becca, Haley knew that there was no love lost between the two men, and that Joshua was planning to challenge Ashton in the upcoming election for president of Prescott George. The corporate raider had claimed Ashton was trouble, a bad seed, but Haley took his admonitions with a grain of salt. The Rollinses were an old, respected Miami family, and she doubted Ashton had ever done anything sinister or illegal. Besides, he was throwing his support behind The Aunt Penny Foundation, and that was good enough for her.
“I’d love to hear more about your family’s company,” Haley said, tired of hearing herself talk. “How long has Rollins Aeronautics been in business, and who founded it?”
“My grandfather George and his partner, Prescott Owens, founded the company in 1938. Five years later, they became the first black millionaires in Florida. Rollins Aeronautics has stayed profitable through the generations. I run the day-to-day operations of the company, and when my father retires next year I’ll assume his duties as CEO.”
Ms. Edith reappeared, carrying plates topped with lamb chops, collard greens, shrimp-fried rice and okra. Haley’s mouth watered at the sight of the main course, but she waited until Ashton was finished eating his salad before tasting her entrée.
While they ate, they had a spirited discussion about the day’s news stories. Haley was intrigued by Ashton. Couldn’t help it. It wasn’t