Page 13 of The Billionaire Invitation

He had pulled on a pair of joggers and sneakers, a moisture-wicking shirt, and a jacket since clouds hung low in the sky. He’d opted to walk the fifteen blocks between the Crane and J’s apartment. It gave him an excuse to clock some steps.

His assistant called as he was tossing his empty coffee cup into a city trashcan. “Hello, Jennifer.”

“I had an interesting request come in,” she said, bypassing a greeting as per her usual. “I promised to reach out but couldn’t guarantee that you’d be free. You are, by the way.”

“Okay…”

“Her name is Gabriela, and she manages Honest Nutrition for Honesty Benitez. The woman you were photographed with at the Refurbs event.”

As if he could have forgotten.

“Ms. Benitez would like to talk to you about her own nonprofit and wondered if you’d be available. I let her know that typically there was a consulting fee, but in this case you might make an exception.”

Jennifer’s voice was neutral and professional. Dante suspected that she knew there was more going on than shared interests in non-profit organizations between him and Honesty.

“No need for a consulting fee in this case. Did Ms. Benitez leave her direct number?”

“Yes. I can text it to you if you’d prefer to make the appointment yourself.”

“That would be best. Thanks.”

She ended the call without a goodbye.

He’d been considering reaching out to Honesty while he was in town, but she’d called him. Under the guise of asking for his help. Though it might not have been a guise.

There were a lot of confusing ins and outs when starting in the nonprofit sector. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t looking forward to seeing her again. Even though pursuing her was the worst idea ever, he was going to shoot his shot.

A text message pinged from Jennifer. Honesty’s number was now in his phone. Before he thought better of it, he pressed the digits and sent the call through. She picked up on the second ring.

“Honesty Benitez, may I help you?”

“Dante Crane. Your assistant called mine.”

“Oh. Oh, hi. Dante. Yes, she did. I have been so, so busy.”

He smiled to himself. “Where are you?”

“I’m at the office. Where are you?”

“State Street. How close am I to you right now?”

“A car ride, I’m afraid. I’m not downtown downtown. I can meet you for coffee or drinks depending on your schedule. It has to be today. I have a luncheon tomorrow with a woman who wants to ask me a lot of complicated questions.”

“Drinks at seven?”

“I’ll take it.”

“It’s a date.” His schedule was fairly open today, but he didn’t want to risk being interrupted when he sat down with her. “What questions does she have?”

“Oh, you know. She might want to sit on my board. Which I don’t have. And she asked about sponsoring events each year, which I also don’t have planned.”

“Don’t sweat it.”

“Seven o’clock.” She rattled off the name of the bar and thanked him.

“See you there.”

He wasn’t the kind of guy whose hopes were raised easily, but he did notice his steps were lighter as he finished his trek to Jaylyn’s.