A Miami Affair. Sherelle Green
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DeLong. The closer she got, the more nervous she got. Oh, come on, Becca, you’ve seen attractive men before. She couldn’t even make out all of his facial features since he was wearing Ray-Bans and a baseball cap, but just the way he was standing was enough to make her take notice. His posture was confident. Self-assured. He may have looked casual in his clothing, but his aura seemed anything but.
“Hello, I’m Becca Wright,” she said as she approached. “It’s nice to meet you in person, Mr. DeLong.”
“Please, call me Joshua or Josh.” He extended his hand.
“Only if you call me Becca.” She accepted his warm handshake and was rewarded by a smile that displayed a brilliant set of white teeth.
“Please follow me, Becca.” Becca had assumed they were meeting inside the clubhouse, until Josh walked past the building and began leading her down a ramp toward the boats.
“Where are we going?” she asked after several minutes.
“To my yacht.”
She quirked an eyebrow even though he couldn’t see her. “Your yacht? As in your own private yacht?”
His head slightly turned over his shoulder in her direction. “Yes, my own private yacht.”
She frowned. “Wouldn’t it be better if we conducted business in a more public place like the clubhouse?”
“No.” Josh continued to walk, offering her no additional explanation.
“No? That’s it?”
She was so busy trying to keep up with him, she hadn’t noticed that he’d slowed his stride. “We’re here.” He motioned for her to walk up a ramp that led to a beautiful three-story white yacht. There wasn’t much that left Becca speechless, but the sight before her hijacked her words. The yacht was grand and one of the larger vessels in the marina.
When she arrived on the first level, she noticed two packets placed on a sleek wooden table.
“Please, have a seat,” Josh said as he pointed to an L-shaped timber sofa with black cushions and white pillows.
She didn’t hesitate to take a seat, secretly eager to feel if the cushions were as lush as they appeared. Even more lush, she thought, adjusting herself in her seat. Josh took a seat adjacent to her.
As Becca was relishing her comfort, Josh removed his baseball cap and ran his fingers through his brown curls. I wonder if they’re as soft as they look.
“Okay, shall we get down to business?” Josh shuffled through some papers before he removed his Ray-Bans and glanced at her. Oh my. He smiled in a way that she assumed made women drop their panties instantly. Of course, she didn’t feel the effects of his smile, but she could see how many women would.
“Yes, let’s get started.” She tried her best to focus on the packet in front of her instead of his stunning eyes. If Becca were the type to swoon over a pretty face, Joshua’s would have had her in a puddle on the floor. Fortunately, she’d met plenty of handsome men who were gorgeous on the outside but ugly on the inside. The verdict was still out as to whether that described Joshua DeLong.
Josh smiled as he watched Becca concentrate on the packet he’d given her. He got the feeling that she was the type to never act too affected by a man, but he hadn’t missed the hint of appreciation reflected in her eyes.
“I apologize if you had to change any plans to see me today. As I stated over the phone, I wanted to meet before I head out of town. I have big plans for the benefit, but I want to make sure my ideas work for Aunt Penny.”
“I guess I should explain the foundation in a little more detail,” Becca said, turning toward Josh. “Unless you prefer to dive right into the plans.”
“No, please continue. I’d like to hear more about the foundation.”
“Well, as you know, I’m the director of public relations for The Aunt Penny Foundation, which was founded by Haley Adams. Haley and I aren’t just colleagues, but friends who share the same vision. And while Aunt Penny is a real person, she doesn’t actually work at the foundation or oversee its activities.”
“But Aunt Penny contributes financially, right?” Josh asked. “I believe I read an article about her being a key sponsor for the foundation.” Josh reached for the water bottles he’d placed on the table before Becca had arrived and offered her one.
“Thank you,” she said, opening the water bottle and taking a sip. “Yes, Aunt Penny is definitely a key supporter and the reason the foundation exists in the first place. Aunt Penny was Haley’s next-door neighbor when she was growing up and although Aunt Penny isn’t actually Haley’s blood relative, she became somewhat of a surrogate grandmother to her. Aunt Penny’s emotional encouragement and financial support are the reason Haley earned an Ivy League diploma.”
“Aunt Penny sounds pretty special.” Josh hadn’t had the benefit of meeting his paternal grandmother, but he imagined that she would have been like Aunt Penny. Unfortunately, he couldn’t say the same for his mom’s mother, who didn’t have a nurturing bone in her body.
“She is.” Becca nodded her head in agreement. “There will always be a special place for Aunt Penny in my heart, too. One day, Haley came to me and said that she wished every girl could have an Aunt Penny, and thus, the foundation was born. Our nonprofit organization helps students who otherwise couldn’t afford it raise money for college. We provide mentoring, as well.”
Josh knew what the foundation did and had researched them at length, but it was nice to hear the words from Becca directly. “That’s a great story and one that I believe should be shared at our upcoming Prescott George meeting. The history of the foundation is also one that the media would truly love.”
Becca squinted. “Haley and I would be happy to share the foundation’s story with the organization, but I’m confused. I don’t recall any of the previously chosen charity recipients receiving media coverage.”
“That’s because they haven’t. But I’ve thought at length about your foundation and the increased number of donations you would receive if we invite celebrities to the gala. Celebrities will not only be willing to break out their checkbooks, but also speak with the media about the event and your organization.”
Josh vaguely thought about the fact that the Prescott George board had yet to understand his vision for the gala. However, in due time he was hoping a few key members would begin to see things his way.
“I’m all for increased revenue, but I don’t want The Aunt Penny Foundation to be subject to a paparazzi circus, either.”
“More paparazzi mean more donations.”
“I’m surprised this is the route Prescott George wants to take.” She was studying him carefully, but Josh didn’t care. He was confident that publicizing the gala was the right move and getting Becca to agree would only help him pitch his argument to the board.
“Sometimes, in order to get the larger population to donate to a cause, you’ve got to take risks.”
“Sometimes the risk isn’t worth the reward.”
“And other times it is.” Josh sat up straighter in his seat. “We have less than two months before the gala, so we need to act fast on a few of the ideas I have if we’re going to solidify the appearance of celebrities.”
Seeing the skepticism on her face, Josh thought she’d probably get along with Ashton extremely well. Both were afraid to take chances. Ashton Rollins was the current president of Prescott George and Josh had no doubt that Rollins would host operations out of a dark cave if he could. Ashton lived and breathed boring traditions and was never willing to take risks that could potentially benefit the organization.
Becca