“That our relationship wasn’t any of her business. Of course, I said it in a professional manner.”
“Of course,” he said, grinning.
“Can you believe such a thing?” she asked. “The nerve of people, thinking I would use you that way.”
“Yes, I can believe it. It has happened to me before.”
“What?”
“Many women have tried to make money off their association withme.”
Haven felt awful for him. “That’s despicable.”
“I thought so, too.”
She released a deep, disgusted sigh. “I guess there are disadvantages to being rich.”
“You’ve never dreamed of being rich?”
“Heck no.” Then, thinking she might have hurt his feelings, she explained, “Gramma Dora always said that it wasn’t money that was the root of all evil, it was the love of it. Some people are blessed to have more than others, so the right thing to do is to share with those less fortunate.”
He took a sip of his wine. “My father thought that way, too. That’s why he loved his charities.”
She smiled. “Knowing you, I’m not surprised that your father was a generous man. My grandmother wasn’t rich enough to give much money, but she gave of her time. She was a very good cook, so she always volunteered to work in soup kitchens. She would take me with her.”
“Did you enjoy going?”
“Yes. I got to play with the kids and felt bad for them because some had no real homes to live in. It was sad.”
“Is that why you’re active in so many charities?”
She raised her brow. “How did you know that?”
“I believe you mentioned it last night.”
She didn’t recall doing so, but must have. “Yes. If there is any way I can help others, I will. However, I will draw the line at passing business cards along to you or giving my employer the impression that my dating you is beneficial to them.”
Skylar laughed. “Haven, you are like sunshine. A beautiful ray of sunshine.”
He said some of the nicest things… She gave him a cheeky grin. “Last night, you said I was special and simply amazing. Tonight, I am smart and like sunshine. Spending time with you is good for my ego, Skylar Kingston.”
“And I’m discovering that you, Haven McGuire, are good for my well-being.”
By the time Skylar walked Haven to her hotel room, he was even more in love. He had never laughed so much in his life. She was a true joy to be with.
And she was so brutally honest. She had thought nothing of telling him about the CEOs who’d wanted her to pass their business cards on to him, or how her employer wanted to use their relationship for their benefit. She hadn’t succumbed to pressure or intimidation and had simply refused to be used. It was refreshing.
Skylar had almost been caught when he’d mentioned her charity work. He would have to be more careful in the future. The last thing he wanted her to think was that he’d asked Dante to have her investigated, because he hadn’t. It was merely the way Dante protected him, keeping the deathbed promise he had made to Silas.
“I have to fly back to San Francisco for business tomorrow, and won’t be back until Saturday,” he said, changing the subject.
“Oh.”
He saw the sudden look of sadness in her eyes. Hopefully, that meant she would miss him. “Will you go out with me Saturday night, Haven?”
She brightened. “I would love to, Skylar.”
“You’re not going to ask me where we’regoing?”
