MORGAN PULLED ME from one person to the next as she introduced me to both family and friends. A few members of her family, namely her mother, asked a ton of personal questions. It was a subject I had always guarded and answered short and sweet. Not that I had done anything wrong or came from a shady family. Just the opposite actually. My family was one of the wealthiest families in the state. Second wealthiest in Utah, where I was from. That was the problem. Once people knew who I was and how deep my pockets were, I was treated differently. I never really had true friends growing up. And all of my boyfriends were never really interested in me, only the money or what knowing my father could do for them. After college I stopped telling people who I was. They didn’t need to know I was an heiress to a billion-dollar fortune. Most of it old money from the railroads and investments my family had made many years ago. My father didn’t even have to work, but he continued to do so every day. His job was to make more money, like his father, and his father before him. Even with that, my parents did so much for our community and other programs. I was proud of the way they helped others, almost always keeping their generosity anonymous.
The sound of Morgan’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Rich, this is Kaelynn. We met last year on a mission trip and have been friends ever since. She’s helping me get my new business off the ground.”
Rich lifted a brow as he let his gaze roll over the stupid shirt I had on. “Nice shirt.”
I sighed and looked at Morgan. “Morgan and I had a bet and I lost. Hence the silly shirt.”
He stared at me for a
moment before speaking again. “So you’re helping Morgan get her business going? How much are you soaking her for? You know she’s just getting started and really can’t afford a consultant who probably isn’t going to be of help anyway.”
My eyes widened, and I felt Morgan tense next to me.
“Rich! Holy crap, are you out of your mind?” Morgan shouted. A few people who heard her outburst turned our way.
With a smile, I extended my hand to him. “It’s nice to meet you, Rich. I actually own the company, so that allows me to help Morgan without charging her the crazy fees that some consultants charge. We’re a nonprofit, and everything we raise helps go toward helping individuals, as well as companies, who work directly with veterans. We do a variety of things from offering simple support to helping find resources to start nonprofits, as well as assisting people like Morgan who are starting a new business geared toward helping our veterans get the help they need. And although we do charge people for our assistance, it is at a much lower cost and goes right back into the system to help others. In this case, though, I’m offering my services to Morgan pro bono. One friend helping another. I’m sure you get that.”
He had the decency to look embarrassed. Then he looked at Morgan. “Mike?”
Morgan swallowed hard and nodded.
“Makes sense he’s the reason you’re doing this.”
I felt the tension between the two of them. I knew who Mike was, Morgan’s boyfriend who had committed suicide after suffering from PTSD. It was something that was also very dear to my own heart, the reason for my own business.
Morgan seemed to snap out of her pensive state and jabbed her finger into his chest. “You owe her an apology, now.”
I lifted my hands and said, “None needed, really.”
Rich looked to Morgan. “You didn’t mention she was doing it for free; that would have been helpful.”
“It was none of your business,” she spat back, a look of disappointment on her face toward the gentleman standing in front of us.
Glancing between Morgan and Rich, I arched a brow. “Am I missing something here?”
Morgan shook her head and forced a smile. “No. Rich and I used to date, but I thought we could remain friends. It appears he thinks he can interject his opinions into my life still. If he’s going to act like a dick . . .”
“Morgan, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s only . . . well, I worry about you. I worry what feelings this type of venture might bring up for you.”
Her body relaxed a bit while my heart melted some. I made a mental note to question Morgan about Rich later. It was clear he still cared about her. I was curious about how long they had dated and why I hadn’t heard her mention him at all before tonight.
“Listen, I’ll let you get back to introducing Kaelynn around. Again, I’m sorry, and it was great meeting you. I look forward to seeing Morgan’s business take off with your assistance.”
With a quick lift of my hand and wave, I replied, “You as well.”
As Rich walked away, Morgan sighed. “I’m really sorry. First my brother and now Rich. I need to let everyone know you’re working for free, I guess. Care to walk around wearing a sandwich board or something? Seems like no one has any confidence in me.”
“That’s not true. They’re simply worried about you. That’s a sign of people who love and care for you. And I’ll happily wear a sandwich board if that’s what it takes. Plus, it’ll hide this shirt I’m wearing, right?”
She chuckled, then glanced to her right. “Let’s see . . . Who else do I need to introduce you to? Maybe you can meet someone and get lucky tonight! After all, your shirt advertises how horny you are.”
We laughed when she nudged me with her elbow because we knew how unlikely that would be. Not that I wasn’t down for a good night of sex—I wasn’t a prude—but I was picky. And picky meant I hadn’t been with anyone in a while. A really, excessively long while.
The moment he stepped into the room, though, I sensed him. It was the oddest sensation and one I had never experienced. Scanning the room to see who had my hackles raised, it was right when our eyes met that he smiled and I couldn’t help the heat that built in my cheeks. I’d been attracted to men before, of course, but something about this man was different. His smile and those dimples. Lord, they made my knees weaken. Not only was he handsome, but there was something different about him. There was goodness in his eyes, something you didn’t really see too often anymore, especially in men around my age.
Before he had a chance to make his way over to me, though, Rich walked up and slapped him on the back. They were soon lost in conversation. I watched him intently. The way he grinned at the man, nodded his head, and really seemed to be focused on what Rich said. He wasn’t letting his eyes wander the room at all. His entire attention was on his friend. Well, I assumed they were friends.
“So, who do you have your eye on?” Morgan asked, bumping me on the arm yet again, and this time using a teasing tone to her voice. “You’re practically undressing him with those bedroom eyes.”