You met Tessa, Faith and Simoneâthe Whitfields of New York and owners of Signature Bridalsâin the WHITFIELD BRIDES series. Now meet three lifelong friends who fulfill their boyhood dream and purchase a Harlem brownstone for their business ventures.
Kyle Chatham, Duncan Gilmore and Ivan Campbell have worked tirelessly to overcome obstacles and achieve professional success, oftentimes at the expense of their personal lives. However, each will meet an extraordinary woman who just might make him reconsider what it means to be the best man.
In Man of Fate, high-profile attorney Kyle Chathamâs classic sports car is rear-ended by Ava Warrick, a social worker who doesnât think much of lawyers and deeply mistrusts men. Ava expects the handsome attorney to sue her, not come to her rescue after she sustains a head injury in the accident. But Kyle knows he has to prove to Ava that he is nothing like the men in her pastâa challenge he is prepared to take on and win.
Financial planner Duncan Gilmoreâs life is as predictable as the numbers on his spreadsheets. After losing his fiancée in the World Trade Center tragedy, he has finally begun dating again. In Man of Fortune, Duncan meets Tamara Wolcottâa beautiful and brilliant E.R. doctor with a bad attitude. As their relationship grows, Tamara begins to feel that she is just a replacement for his late fiancée. But Duncan knows that he has to put aside his pride if heâs going to convince Tamara to be part of his life.
After the death of his identical twin years ago, psychotherapist Ivan Campbell is a âlove âem and leave âemâ guy who is afraid of commitment. But all of that changes in Man of Fantasy when he meets Nayo Goddard at an art gallery, where she is showing her collection of black-and-white photographs. Not only has she gotten Ivan to open up his heart to love again, she is also seeing another man. Ivan knows that he must prove that he is the best man for her, or risk losing her forever.
Yours in romance,
Rochelle Alers
Duncan Gilmoreâs head popped up when he heard the two quick taps on the door. A slow smile crinkled around his eyes when he saw a head appear from around the partially opened door.
âGood morning, Kyle. Come on in.â
Kyle Chatham opened the door fully and walked into a sun-filled office with a desk, tables, credenza and bookcases made from rosewood and Jamaican mahogany. Everything in the space, from the furnishings to the occupantâs attire, conveyed good breeding and elegance. He took a chair beside the desk, which was covered with investment portfolios and a batch of tax returns.
âI heard you were looking for me yesterday. Whatâs up, DG?â
âAre you feeling all right?â Duncan asked.
âYes. Why?â
âIâve never known you to take off on a Monday.â
Kyle looped a leg over the opposite knee. âThings have changed now that Jordan Wainwright has joined the firm.â
Duncan smiled, exhibiting perfectly aligned white teeth. âI like your new partner, Kyle. At first I thought he wouldnât fit in, but after that TV segment where he called his grandfather a slumlord I have a newfound respect for the poor little rich boy.â
Kyle, angling his head, returned his friendâs smile. âI felt the same way before Jordan came on board. Representing clients with deep pockets is very different from fighting for the little guy, but Jordan has proven that he is a man for the people. Even though the plaque out front reads Chatham and Wainwright, P.C., Attorneys at Law, and heâs accepted a partnership, Iâm going to wait until after Labor Day to make it official. Itâll give me time to place ads in the local papers and host a reception for a few elected officials and neighborhood residents.â
âThat sounds good. Jordanâs elevation to partner and the added staff should level the playing field when you guys compete with other Harlem law firms.â
Kyle ran a hand over his neatly cropped hair. âI donât want to compete, DG. I had enough of that when I worked eighty-hour weeks for Trilling, Carlyle and Browne. Jordanâs contribution to the firm has allowed me to pay off half of my share of this buildingâs mortgage and hire additional staff. Taking on a partner has also afforded me a life outside of the office.â
âWith Ava?â
âYes, with Ava,â Kyle confirmed. âShe has a lot of comp time coming, so weâve decided to take long weekends together.â
âI was looking for you yesterday because one of my clients has season tickets to the Yankee home games. I didnât want to tell him that Iâm a Mets fan, so I took them anyway. I know you like the Yankees, and with them playing Boston this weekend it should be quite a series.â