Bestselling author Rochelle Alers’ heartwarming and seductive series follows four very different women risking second chances deep in the sultry heart of New Orleans . . .   New Yorker Jasmine Washington had a successful interior design business, a high-powered marriage, and a chance at motherhood—until her perfect husband betrayed her big-time. Now starting from scratch, the Asian and African-American stunner is tackling a lifetime opportunity: co-managing her friend’s new luxury inn about to open in the Garden District. The last thing Jasmine needs is romance. New Orleans' most eligible bachelor, investment banker Cameron Singleton, begs to differ.   Cameron challenges Jasmine’s cautious ways, teases her back into having real fun—and makes one sexy, utterly irresistible Mr. Right Now. But their passionate nights soon result in a surprise bonus. . . . Even though Cameron insists on being there for Jasmine, can she really believe his love is the real thing? Can she shake the past and design a completely new life? And is there really only one way to find out?   Praise for The Inheritance    “The ambiance and flavor of New Orleans are on full display.”  --RT Book Reviews , 4 Stars    “A novel that resembles female bonding romance series like The Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts . . . Capitalizing on its assets: the sensuous Big Easy setting and the rarely encountered middle age romance.”  --Kirkus Reviews Rochelle Alers , the bestselling author of over eighty novels with nearly two million copies in print, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today’s most prolific and popular African American authors of romance and women’s fiction. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Emma Award, the Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the RT Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Theta Zeta chapter and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. A full-time writer, Ms. Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island and can be found online at RochelleAlers.org. Room Service By Rochelle Alers KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP. Copyright © 2018 Rochelle Alers All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4967-0734-5 CHAPTER 1 "You're a genius when it comes to selecting restaurants." Jasmine Washington's head popped up and she stared across the table at her friend. The mass of black curls framing Nydia Santiago's round face made the thirty-two-year-old appear no older than a college coed. "Why would you say that?" Nydia's hazel eyes sparkled like semi-precious jewels in a complexion that always reminded Jasmine of frothy mocha icing. "Whenever you ask me what I want to eat, somehow you're able to select the most incredible restaurants. When I told you I wanted Brazilian, I thought you would've suggested Green Field in Corona." Jasmine smiled. It was Nydia's turn to select the cuisine for their now bimonthly early-dinner get-togethers, and when the accountant mentioned she wanted Brazilian food, Jasmine told Nydia to meet her at Delícia, a quiet little hideaway in the West Village. "I probably know most restaurants in at least four of the five boroughs and Long Island because it's a holdover from my former life as an interior decorator. Whenever I was referred to a potential client I'd take them out to eat and after a couple of hours I'd know whether or not I'd want to work with them." "What would they have to do for you to turn them down?" Nydia asked. "I'd suggest meeting at a restaurant because for me that was the litmus test. If they ordered the most expensive bottle of wine or item on the menu I knew instinctively they would attempt to nickel and dime me when it came to my commission. They usually would go on incessantly about how I was charging them too much, and I'd smile and tell them it was obvious they couldn't afford me." Nydia cocked her head at an angle. "Do you miss decorating?" It took Jasmine, interior decorator-turned human resource specialist, a full minute to think about her friend's question. "Yes and no. Yes, because I was my own boss and I loved the process of transforming a space into something that reflected a client's taste or lifestyle. And no, because I'd occasionally tire of trying to placate someone I knew I could never satisfy. The end result was they really didn't know what they wanted. I couldn't understand whether it was a gender thing, but once I married Raymond and we went into business together things changed when it came to complaints. Some clients would question every decision I'd make or suggest, while they would go along with anything he said." There was a pause before Nydia said, "Do you know that this is the first time in a very long time that I've heard you refer to your ex by name?" A hint of a smile tilted the corners of Jasmine's mouth. "That's because I've reached the point in my life where I can say his name wit