Winning Whitney, page 20
part #3 of Alaska Blizzard Series
She lives here, asshole.
He took a breath, reminding himself that even if they were fighting or on the verge of breaking up, she did live here and he wasn’t going to unceremoniously kick her out because he didn’t feel like talking. He wasn’t that much of a jerk. At least he was trying not to be. He figured he was ranking pretty high on the jerk scale these days.
Taz was barking excitedly and as he rounded the corner the little ball of fur came tearing down the stairs heading straight for him.
“Hey, big guy.” Jake put down his bag and scooped him up, nuzzling him. “Whatcha doin’, huh? Making Mommy crazy?”
“Woof!” Taz barked and tried to wriggle free.
“Taz!” Whitney came down the stairs and stopped when she saw Jake. “Oh, that’s why he ran out of our room like a bat out of hell. I guess he heard you and I didn’t.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s okay, I was just packing. I’ll be out of your hair in a few minutes.” She went back upstairs so Jake picked up his bag again and followed. One of her suitcases was on the bed and she had the closet door open, the bathroom light on and almost every drawer in the dresser open as well.
“Are you moving out?” he asked cautiously.
“Oh, not yet, no.” She paused. “Unless you need me to? I can leave my things at Hailey’s if you want me out.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Okay.” She faced him for a second before going into the bathroom and coming out with the massive makeup case he’d often teased her about.
“You’re taking all your makeup to Hailey’s?” He was confused.
She glanced up. “Oh. No. I’m flying to San Francisco tomorrow. I’m shooting a commercial for Brigade Wineries and then flying down to L.A. to meet with my old agent.”
“You’re…” He got a weird feeling in his stomach. “What about the twins?”
“The niece of one of the guys on the Sidewinders, Amy something, is flying in tomorrow and she’ll be doing a trial run while I’m gone, to see if things work out. The timing was perfect.”
“When will you be back?”
“I don’t know. The winery bought me an open ticket because we don’t know how long the shoot will take, and then I’m not sure how many days I’ll be in L.A. Oh! You’re probably worried about Taz, but it’s all good. Sara said she’ll keep him while you’re on the road and we’ll figure something out for when I get back.” She closed her suitcase, still talking. “I called the exterminator and told them no one would be here next Monday, so they rescheduled for two weeks later since you said you didn’t want them to have the alarm code. Anyway, I have to run. I’ll grab Taz because Sara’s picking him up on her way to the clinic tomorrow and your place is out of the way for her. Is that okay?”
He nodded slowly, a little shell-shocked at everything going on. “Um, yeah, sure, but—” He stopped when he realized she was already dragging her suitcase to the stairs. “Jesus, Whit, let me get that.” He practically snatched it out of her hand and carried it down, scowling all the way. Did she think he wouldn’t carry her suitcase? What the hell had happened between them? Things had gone wrong the other night but they seemed to be spiraling now and he was helpless to stop them.
She’d gotten downstairs before him and was gathering Taz’s things as the puppy hopped and barked, getting underfoot. Jake took her suitcase out to her car and then grabbed Taz so she could finish what she was doing. He wanted to say something but no words came. It felt like she’d made up her mind to move on and go back to her old life, which was as much of a disappointment as her lack of trust had been. Why couldn’t he think of what to say?
“Thanks for your help,” she said, reaching for Taz as she tried to put him in the little carrier they’d bought so she could safely transport him back and forth to Hailey’s.
“Of course.” He grasped the squirming puppy while she held the carrier open and they finally got him inside.
“He’s such a stinker,” she said, closing it firmly.
“He’s got spirit.”
“Yeah.” She picked up her purse. “Well, um, have a good trip.”
“Thanks. You too.”
“Thank you.” She turned and headed for the garage. She hesitated when she got to the door and he hoped she would turn around, but she didn’t, continuing into the garage and closing it behind her.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Life happened quickly sometimes, and though her heart was broken, Whitney didn’t have time to breathe, much less think about the disaster that was her relationship with Jack. The moment the owners of the winery met her they seemed to love everything she said and did, immediately doing a preliminary photo shoot and putting plans in motion for the commercial. They weren’t using an agency because they’d intended to use a family friend, but it hadn’t worked out and they’d told her it felt like Whitney had fallen into their laps as if by magic.
She was thankful she’d stayed in shape, keeping her figure trim enough for the camera and taking care to keep her hair healthy and styled. It had been a couple of years since she’d been in front of the camera professionally, but the moment the photographer started shooting she forgot all about her family, Raven Cosmetics, and—temporarily—even her life in Alaska. She checked in with Hailey every night, but between meeting with all the key players at the winery, doing the photo shoot and then the commercial itself, she worked four twelve-hour days that week and fell asleep almost the moment her head hit the pillow each night. By the time she got to Los Angeles, she was both exhausted and exhilarated, the first glimpses of rebuilding her life without her family’s help finally within reach.
A driver was waiting for her and she hesitated for a moment, trying to remember the last time she’d had a driver take her anywhere. A long time. She hadn’t missed it, but now that she had the opportunity again, it was kind of nice to have someone take her bags. She didn’t have to think about anything except her upcoming meeting. And Jack. She hadn’t had time to dwell on whatever it was that had happened between them, but he was never too far from her mind. She missed him even though she’d come to terms with the breakup. If that’s what it was. He’d been weird that last time she’d seen him at the house and she’d hesitated at the garage door hoping he’d say something—anything—but he hadn’t. He’d let her go and that was the signal she’d needed, telling her it was over.
Hailey told her she was crazy, that he still loved her, but Whitney had always been a big believer that actions spoke louder than words and his actions those few days following the charity casino event had spoken volumes. She’d hurt him, so she had no one to blame but herself, but she didn’t trust easily and she’d trusted him. They’d gone from reacquainted friends to lovers to a relationship over the course of approximately three months and it had all blown up in her face in two days. Sometimes she wondered why she even bothered?
“Miss Ravenworth?”
“I’m sorry?” She turned to look at the driver.
“Did you want to freshen up at your hotel or go straight to the office?”
“We can go right to the office, thank you.” She leaned back in the comfortable leather seats and pulled out her phone. Sara had sent her a picture of one of Sergei’s running shoes—torn to shreds. Uh oh. Taz had been up to mischief and she grimaced as she texted her back.
How much am I on the hook for?
Sergei doesn’t know yet since he’s on the road, but I’m thinking one look at Taz’s sweet little face and you’ll get a pass.
We can only hope! How’s everything else? Have you met Amy?
Yes! She’s great. Really sweet, good with the twins, and she and Hailey seem to be getting along. Are you sure you’re not coming back? I think Amy’s in.
On my way to meet the agent that contacted me so I may have a lot to think about, depending on what happens. I’m not signing anything, though. No matter what they offer, I haven’t made up my mind about the future. I might do another commercial for the vineyard and that’s enough for now. Too much is happening too soon and I still haven’t spoken to my grandmother.
You’ve had a lot on your plate, girlfriend. Just remember you have a life—and people that love you—here in Anchorage.
I do remember. That’s why I’m not signing anything or taking on more than the one project. Kiss Taz for me, okay? I have to go.
Love you.
Love you too.
She put her phone away as they pulled up to the West Hollywood office building. The driver got the door for her and she headed inside toward the elevator. She was so lost in thought, worried about what Taz was getting into, wondering how Jake was, thinking about the twins, she almost missed her floor. She stepped out and was immediately greeted by a receptionist.
“Miss Ravenworth—right this way.”
Whitney followed more slowly, putting one foot in front of the other as her thoughts ran the gamut from excitement about the meeting to concern about what she’d left at home. Nothing was going according to plan and she was losing control, just like she had as a teenager. She was in charge this time, but it felt no different, which made zero sense.
“Here we are.” The receptionist opened the door to a large office with floor-to-ceiling windows and a huge glass-top desk. There was an attractive brunette behind the desk smiling at her and two chairs on the other side of it. Someone was sitting in one of them and Whitney barely had time to register the elegant silver hair before the woman turned with a smile.
“Hello, Whitney, dear.”
“Gran.” Whitney wanted to run back to the elevator, but turned with a polite smile, leaning down to hug and air kiss her.
“It’s good to see you, Whitney.” Celeste Martinique came around the desk and shook Whitney’s hand. “I was excited when your grandmother called to say she was joining us.”
“I didn’t realize this was a public meeting,” Whitney said lightly, looking from one to the other.
Celeste faltered slightly, glancing at Lillian curiously. “Lily, you’ve manipulated me again, haven’t you?”
“Nonsense. Raven Cosmetics owns Whitney’s rights and—”
“Actually, they don’t anymore.” Whitney shook her head. “I turn twenty-five in four days and that’s when the contract expires.”
“I was under the impression you were re-signing?” Celeste said, her eyes narrowing shrewdly. “Does this mean there’s been a change in plans?”
“It means my grandmother likes getting her way and doesn’t understand that I’m not always on board with her plans.”
“Whitney.” The tone of her grandmother’s voice had once sent jolts of fear racing down her spine but today all it did was amuse her.
“Gran, the stunt you pulled in Anchorage cost me almost everything I care about, so you have very little bargaining power left. I love and respect you, but I don’t like you very much right now, and while that might not mean much to you, it does to me. Celeste, I’d love to talk about working with you again, but I’m not legally able to do anything for four more days. At that time, if we’ve come to terms I find acceptable, we can talk contracts then. Until then, everything is hypothetical.”
The meeting was short but arduous and by the time it was over, Whitney felt as though she’d run a marathon. There was no chance to relax because her grandmother took her arm as they walked to the elevator, even though she didn’t need any help walking.
“Gran, what are you doing?” Whitney asked once they were inside.
“I’m trying to be patient with you.”
“You know what hurts the most? You gave me hope. That last phone conversation, when you said you’d come to mine and Jack’s wedding, I thought the trade-off of my inheritance for a semi-normal relationship with you would be worth it. And then you sent Dad and Brett to humiliate me, and Jack, in front of his teammates, his boss, all those people…”
“Whitney, what are you talking about?” Lillian paused, frowning at her. “I did no such thing.”
“Of course you did. How else did Dad and Brett find me?”
“Not from me. I’ve known where you’ve been, everything about you since the day you left Dallas. I didn’t interfere because, as you said, you’re an adult and we’d made an agreement about you attending Harvard. When you said you needed more time to ‘find yourself,’ and I stopped sending money, I still kept tabs on you. You knew that. I wasn’t pleased about some of your choices, but I respected them because of our agreement. I’m not a saint, but I’m a woman of my word.”
“So, you didn’t send Dad to Anchorage? That scene he made at Casino Night wasn’t orchestrated by you?”
“Ladies of our stature don’t make scenes, Whitney Lorraine. I’ve taught you better than that.”
“I thought so, too,” she murmured.
“Your father made a scene and embarrassed your young man in front of…whom?”
“The owner of the team, Gage Caldwell, and some of the wealthiest, most influential people in Anchorage. Roberta Torrance was there.”
“Bobbi called me,” the older woman mused. “But she didn’t say anything about a scene. She told me how lovely you and your young man were, how happy she was that you’d found someone like him and her excitement because it sounded like you were coming back to Raven.”
“I asked her if she was still using the eyelid exfoliator,” Whitney said absently. “I still believe in our products, but I never said I was coming back.”
“I guess seeing your father gave her a false impression.”
“More than one.” Whitney paused in front of the car where the driver was holding the door open for her. “If you didn’t send Dad, what was he doing there?”
“I can only assume he hired someone to find you. With your twenty-fifth birthday on the horizon, he’s anxious to send me off into retirement, take my place as CEO, and put your brother in as President of Operations.”
“And what about me?”
“He’s hoping you re-sign your contract as is, or perhaps for only a bit more money.”
“What about our deal?”
“Dear, there was never an official place for you in the company beyond spokeswoman. What I offered was between you and I.”
“Let me guess—there are also no financial troubles.”
“Financial troubles? Is that what he told you?” The older woman shook her head. “My son is foolish and greedy. Even more so than I originally thought.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“It means I need you to come to Dallas with me.”
“I have to go home.”
“After we handle this situation.”
“I have to make things right with Jack.”
“He’s not going anywhere, is he?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t want to lose him. He’s upset with me for not telling him who I was…” She sighed. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“What little faith you have in me…trust me, everything will be okay. Come to Dallas. Stand up to your father. Show everyone what you’re made of.”
“To what end? Once you’re gone, he’ll never allow me to work on the business side of things. And I’m certainly never marrying Theo.”
Lillian chuckled. “I always hoped he’d grow up to be man enough for you.”
“I feel like we’re having two separate conversations.”
“We’re having exactly the conversation we need to have. Come to Dallas and fight for what’s yours, Whitney.”
“Nothing is mine! Our agreement included marrying Theo and that’s never going to happen, so what am I fighting for?”
“The terms of our agreement haven’t changed, silly girl, except for marrying Theo. I always knew you wouldn’t marry him. In the meantime, I had to know what you were made of—if you had what it takes to run a multi-million-dollar dynasty like ours. Your father would have fought me tooth and nail if he’d known my plan was to have you take over, so I had to keep my distance while simultaneously making sure you were the woman I thought you were.”
“You… What?”
“Please, dear, I’m an old woman. I can’t have a conversation like this standing out here in this heat. Come to Dallas with me. Let me explain. Please. You don’t have a few days for your grandmother?”
“Gran, if this is another one of your tricks…”
“You’re a grown woman with free will… and credit cards. You can leave any time you wish.”
Whitney let out a breath, torn between what she had to fix back in Anchorage and the opportunity to step up for what she’d always wanted.
“I thought my cards were cut off.”
“You used them in New York.”
“I called before I went, pretending to be checking my limit. If you’d turned them off, they wouldn’t have spoken to me at all. I had no idea what you were up to, but I figured I deserved one last shopping spree if I decided to give up everything.”
“Your inheritance was never at stake. I told you that to gauge your reaction, see how you dealt with it. As I expected, you found your way, though a bit more unconventionally than I intended.”
“I’m confused, Gran, and very distracted.”
“If your young man is the man I think he is, a few days in Dallas won’t change his feelings for you. And I give you my word, I’ll do everything in my power to fix whatever problems your father caused, with Jack, with his team, and even Gage Caldwell.”
“All right.”
“The jet is waiting for us in Burbank.”
Whitney turned to her driver. “Can you take us to the airport in Burbank instead of the hotel?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Whitney got in beside her grandmother and leaned back in the seat. What the hell was she doing?
Chapter Thirty
“Are you hungry?” her grandmother asked as soon as the plane was in the air. “I can have something brought out.”
“Whatever you want. I’m too nervous to eat.”
Lillian settled into her seat and seemed to be studying Whitney intently.
