No Matter What (The Billionaires of Sawgrass #4) - Delaney Cameron Page 0,37

downstairs.

A sliding glass door led to a concrete patio big enough for a grill and perhaps a small table and chairs. Robin was more concerned with the yard.

“The fence will come in handy when you get a dog,” Reece pointed out.

Robin took a few more pictures. “I’m not sure we could find anything better. Do you happen to know what Harvey is asking for rent?”

“Eleven hundred. That includes water and trash pickup.”

Robin tapped her chin. “I was expecting it to be more. We’re paying almost that much now.” Her phone beeped. It was a belated text from Kait telling her the place looked great, and they should probably take it. She went on to say that she and Owen would be late getting home. They were staying for the second alligator show. Robin didn’t have to ask whose idea that was. “I have Kait’s approval.”

Reece reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Then you’ll need this. It’s Harvey’s contact information.”

She took the card from him. “Thanks for doing this. You saved me and Kait all the hassle of finding a place.”

“I was glad to do it. Harvey’s a nice guy and has a great reputation as a landlord.”

Robin spent the ride back to the shop making plans and doing budget calculations in her head.

Reece pulled in next to her car and threw her a smiling glance. “Got it all figured out?”

His powers of observation no longer surprised her. Not much escaped his notice. “Just about. Thanks for coming with me. It’s always nice to have someone else’s opinion.”

“You’ve reached your ‘thank you’ quota for the day. I was hoping to be able to show Owen around Diamond Jet this week, but something came up. I’m in negotiations to purchase a charter service in Miami. I’ll be spending most of the week ironing out some legal stuff.”

“So not content with being the charter king of north Florida, now you want to control south Florida, too?”

He laughed. “I’d have to purchase more than one charter service to do that. The business I’m interested in has been operating in the red for years, mainly because of poor management. The owner is a wealthy man. He can afford to let the company fail. That’s not the case with his employees, some of whom have been there for twenty years. They’ll be out of a job. Some will find new ones, but most likely at a reduced salary. Others will find themselves unemployed for weeks to months. I don’t want that to happen, especially when it’s in my power to prevent it.”

Robin was seeing yet another side of Reece. His motivation was less about expanding his business and more about helping people preserve their livelihoods. “I wish more company owners felt as you do. Most of them don’t care about the people who get displaced when mergers and buyouts occur. They only think of the bottom line.”

“Public corporations have to please their stockholders. As a privately-owned company, I have the freedom to make decisions based on my conscience.”

He got out to open her door. Instead of leaving, he waited for her to get into her car and then motioned her to go ahead of him. It wasn’t strictly necessary, but it was a nice gesture. He followed her out of the parking lot. When they reached the intersection, Robin got into the left turn lane. As Reece passed by, he lifted his hand. She returned his wave.

The honk of a car horn close by had her looking around in confusion. Instead of paying attention to the traffic light, she’d been watching Reece’s car disappear. Muttering under her breath, she hurriedly pressed her foot on the gas pedal.

During the short drive to her apartment, she kept thinking about Reece going home to an empty house. She wasn’t sure why the idea bothered her so much. He only had to crook his finger to have women running. If he was spending the evening alone, it must be by choice.

Chapter Twelve

Although Robin and Wade had seen each other last night at the fundraiser, there had been few opportunities to really talk. Tonight would be different. There wouldn’t be any distractions. It would be just the two of them.

When she opened the door in answer to his knock, she was surprised to see his handsome face marred by a frown.

“Kait’s car isn’t here,” he said. “I hope that doesn’t mean we can’t go out.”

No hello. No kiss. Not the best start to an evening she’d been