She laughed. “I’m going to say it was the dress that started it all. You were just a nice addition.”
He sighed. “My thunder stolen by a dress.”
If he were honest, it was her sexy clothes that caught his attention at first. What man wouldn’t take a second, third—okay, fourth—look at a woman with legs that went on for miles and breasts that peeked ever-so-lusciously out of a bodice
“Speaking of dresses.” He slid his hand up her thigh and under her dress, cupping her perfect, round bare bottom. “I’ve been trying to picture what you’ve got underneath this dress you’re wearing. Every time you’d twirl I’d get a glimpse of something lacy.”
The blare of a car horn from the busy street interrupted their moment, reminding him that they were still a little too public for what he wanted to do. Groups of people congregated on the beach even though the sun was scheduled to rise in a few short hours.
Jack tightened his grip on her hand and they continued along the shore.
“So tell me, what are your plans after you finish with organizing my mother’s things?” He was going to miss her—he liked having the company.
“Well, I have work lined up for a few months, which is great. The word-of-mouth referrals I’m getting are really boosting my business.”
She had her shit together. He used to have his shit together, but he’d been hiding from his life for the last two months. The more time he spent with Sterling, the more he wanted to be that man again. But the thought of being that man lacked its usual appeal without Sterling by his side.
“I admire you, Sterling.”
“You admire me?” She said the words in a laughing tone. As if they were funny.
“You know exactly who you are, where you’re going. You’re even comfortable enough with yourself to break out of your shell and try new things. I admire that.”
He caught her shaking her head out of the corner of his eye.
“You’re the one to be admired, Jack. You have the entire world at your fingertips. No responsibilities, nothing tying you down. You can do anything you want. And you did. You went against what your family expected of you and carved your own path. You have the one luxury in the entire world that I don’t…possibility.”
“Don’t you see you’re just as admirable?” How could she not? “Success isn’t only measured by how much money you make or how many homes you own.” This woman had so much to offer. Why didn’t she understand she could do anything she set her mind to? What was holding her back?
“Can I ask you something at the risk of overstepping my bounds and completely alienating you?”
Her nervousness showed in the way she nibbled on her bottom lip.
“Ask away.” He’d never had another person to talk to, not like this.
“Have you ever thought of having a charity auction? Something to auction off your mother’s clothes and accessories? Considering her prominence in Toronto, people would go nuts.”
“Really? What do people want with old clothes?”
“Vintage. Not old.” She smiled. “All of the profits could be donated to the Cooking for the Future program.”
That was an interesting idea. Maybe there was a way to tie in his undeveloped idea to expand the program with a charity auction. The bigger, the better.
“Actually, that’s not a bad idea. I had this plan…a long time ago. A way to expand the Cooking for the Future program. And a charity auction might be a great way to raise funds.”
He had connections in the city to help host the auction. And Penn was a master marketer and event planner. He had no doubt he could pull it off. “Initially I wanted to use funds from my restaurants, but this could be better, maybe, a way to create a foundation of sorts.”
His brain spun with the possibility. Maybe Sterling was right—he did have possibilities right at his fingertips. And this might be just the thing he needed to assuage his guilt. He wasn’t there for his mother at the time of her death, but he could be here for her now.
“Has anyone ever told you you’re pretty hot when you’re plotting to take over the world?”
“Not today.” He swooped down and kissed her. As usual, she went pliant in his arms.
When he pulled away, she whispered, “the Vivian Madewood Foundation.”
; “Hmm?”