Windy City Romance: Boxed Set: Prequel - Book III

by Barbara Lohr

  They laughed, although she didn’t think Alex found Jack’s comment funny. By that time, they were walking back to Jack’s office.

  “Jack, did you look over the promotion plan?” Alex asked.

  “Sure did. Looks great, but you know, I’m more into media than glad handing.”

  Alex threw Jack a surprised look. “Since when is making connections a bad thing? Anyway, I’ll work with Vanessa on the networking.”

  Was Alex going to mention the gala? Apparently not.

  While they chatted in the corner office, her eyes were drawn back to the framed pictures of the two little boys in matching blue sweaters.

  “What are your children’s names?” she asked during a break in the conversation.

  “Aaron and Ben. Terrific little guys.” His smile twisted. Life could be so unfair.

  “How are things going on that front?” Alex asked.

  “Going to be messy, I’m afraid.”

  “Sorry to hear that.”

  At least Bo would never know that loss. Vanessa studied the little guys in the pictures. Such cute smiles. Maybe it was better to never have a father than to be torn from one.

  “I’m sure you have great legal counsel,” Alex said, edging her toward the door.

  “The best. I’ll walk you out.”

  Checking the clock, Vanessa was surprised to see how much time had passed. “Sorry to take up so much of your time, Jack,” she told him. When Jack took her hand in both of his, Alex frowned. “Can’t thank you enough.”

  “Hope to see you soon, Vanessa,” Jack said. “I’ll give you a call about the taping.”

  By this time, they were back in the reception area, where the blonde was filing her nails. As the office door closed behind them, Vanessa made tracks for the elevator.

  Alex was right behind her. “How about a cup of coffee?”

  Turning down a mentor didn’t feel like an option. “Sure. Thanks.”

  The coffee shop down the street was packed and the noise level, high. Cups of coffee steamed next to open laptops. Alex ordered his coffee black, and Vanessa chose ginger peach tea. They settled at a little table near the window. When he took off his jacket, she smiled at his red suspenders.

  “Glad we’re taping this week.” The faster the rollout, the sooner she wouldn't have to meet with Alex like this. Sure, they’d had fun at the lake, but she wanted to keep her distance. The feelings that had come rushing back as the evening ended had left her shaken.

  “Think you’ll be ready?”

  “Absolutely.” Without testing her tea, Vanessa took a gulp that seared her throat and brought tears. She choked.

  “You okay?” Alex looked like he might vault right over the table.

  “Fine. Taking things a little too fast, I guess.”

  Their eyes snagged and sparked.

  “Jack didn’t step out of line, did he?”

  “What? No. What are you talking about?”

  Alex sat back. “Just asking. You’ll look great on TV.” His raspy voice awakened every nerve in her body. That hadn’t changed.

  When their knees accidentally bumped under the small table, heat surged through her, just about matching the burning in her mouth. Something shifted in his eyes. Grabbing a menu, she fanned herself. Maybe the sun on the windows had ratcheted up the temperature in here. “Probably need cold water instead of tea.”

  “I'll be right back.” Jumping up, he walked over to the station with ice water. Still the rangy basketball player who kicked his legs out as he walked. More than one woman gave him the eye.

  Still catnip too.

  She texted Jillian to see how Bo was doing. Her sister’s response came just as Alex set ice water in front of her. One look into those toasty brown eyes and Vanessa wanted to swallow the ice cubes whole. She waved her cell phone before tucking it in her purse. “Just checking with Jillian.”

  “Does your sister babysit for you a lot?”

  “When she can.” No need to mention the days after Jillian’s treatments when her sister could barely get out of bed. It was critical that Alex and Jack see the Randall women as strong and able to execute on the marketing plan. “Sometimes Christine helps out.”

  During Vanessa’s pregnancy and after Bo’s birth, Jillian had made several trips to San Francisco. She’d totally supported Vanessa’s decision to keep the baby, even without knowing the details.

  “I suppose his father helps out,” Alex continued.

  At first, Vanessa totally blanked out.

  Right. She had an ex-husband. “Uh, sure. Dan takes Bo sometimes. But of course he works and doesn’t have that much time. During the week, I mean.” Her words tripped and tangled.

  “Dan? Thought your ex-husband’s name was David.” Alex’s voice flattened.

  “David. Right. Did I say Dan?” An uncomfortable silence settled over the table, and Vanessa pushed her ice water aside. “I really should get going.”

  Flustered, she glanced away. Outside, a couple passed by, laughing with heads together. Felt like a million miles away. How she hated these stories that she could barely keep straight. Downright stupid not to give Bo’s real age at the beginning. What would Alex care anyway?

  Standing, he grabbed their empty cups and tossed them in the trash. “I’ll walk you to your car.” More a statement than a question.

  Like it or not, her mentor was calling the shots.

  When they pushed out onto the street, the breeze from the lake had died. Heat fell over her in a suffocating veil. The silence swelled between them. She wanted Alex’s mind on something besides her imaginary ex-husband. “You really have a beautiful place. Bet you wish you were at the lake on a day like this.”

  Hands in his pockets, Alex stared straight ahead. “You're welcome to drive up any time. Bring your little boy, if you like.”

  “That’s very kind, Alex.”

  They’d reached her car, and she fumbled in her purse for her keys. Finally Bo was a “little boy” and not a kid.

  “Unless he’s with his father. Dan or David, is it?” His eyes had turned to stone.

  “Let me know about the taping, okay, Alex?” Opening her car door, Vanessa tossed her portfolio onto the passenger seat.

  “Sure. I’ll give you a call.” Alex held her door open, his face still unreadable. “And Vanessa?”

  She looked up. Could he see her tears of frustration?

  “Hire some extra help. College kids. The funds are in your account. Lighten the load a little.”

  Although she started to protest, his suggestion made sense. “Sure thing.”

  With a set smile aimed at his chest, she got in, closed the door and backed out of her spot. Her thoughts spun as she took the winding garage ramp way too fast. Accelerating from the dark underground parking into blinding sunlight, she nearly side-swiped a car. Horns blared, and she white-knuckled the steering wheel.

  Time to get herself under control. Time to calm down and deliver.

  Another driver honked at her when she changed lanes too fast without signaling.

  Chapter 6

  Rain beat a staccato rhythm on her umbrella, and Vanessa gave it a good shake before pushing through the glass door of Petersen’s Ice Cream Parlor. She was late. Inside, the cold air sent a quick shiver down her spine. She brushed back her damp hair. Heads together at a back table, McKenna and Amy looked up and waved. Leaving the dripping umbrella at the door, Vanessa hustled toward them, wet tennis shoes squeaking on the tile floor.

  Seemed like forever since they’d been together.

  “Sorry, Bo had an emergency. We’re working on potty training.” After pulling out one of the wire-rimmed chairs, Vanessa plunked down with a sigh.

  Twirling one honey-colored pigtail around a finger, Amy looked pointedly at the clock on the wall.

  “Going to give me a tardy slip?” Vanessa teased. Amy taught at Immaculate Heart of Mary High School, their alma mater.

  “Don’t worry. Just gave us more time to talk about you.�
� McKenna grinned.

  Since she got back to town, Vanessa hadn't had that much time to reconnect with the two of them. Petersen’s had been a favorite since grade school. She settled back.

  Amy wiggled her tawny eyebrows. “So what’s up with our famous prime-time friend?”

  With a groan, Vanessa buried her head in her hands. “More like a trollop, you mean. What would Sister Albertus say?”

  “Our former teachers probably watch Sixty Minutes, not Eye of the Tiger on Sunday nights.” McKenna peeled Vanessa’s hands from her face.

  Amy’s hazel eyes grew round. “Mercy me, Vanessa. Where did you ever get that black skirt? They wear them that short on the West Coast, huh?”

  “Can I borrow it?” McKenna threw her a wicked smile.

  Felt like they were sophomores again, goofing off in the cafeteria that always smelled like Lysol.

  “I’m so glad to be back.” She grabbed a menu and took in the vintage ice cream shop. “San Francisco was so busy, so impersonal sometimes, at least for me.”

  “Grandpa Joe and Jillian must be thrilled.” McKenna nudged her with a knee. “Why didn’t you bring your sister with you?”

  “She begged off. Maybe next time.”

  Vanessa had pleaded with her sister to come out tonight after they finished the dinner dishes, but Jillian wasn't having it. She’d actually shushed Vanessa toward the door. “You hardly spend any time with your friends. Grandpa and I will watch Bo. We’ll be fine.”

  “So, Jillian is still laying low about her illness?” Leaning closer, McKenna dropped her voice, even though the tables near them weren’t taken and the waitress hadn't come over yet.

  “With the public, yes. And it's her decision, not ours.” Vanessa didn’t want any rumors leaking out.

  “Didn't mean anything by that, Vanessa,” McKenna said slowly. “It’s just that at the hospital, patients seem to get stronger from talking about their medical issues. Sharing the load can help.”

  McKenna worked as a midwife at Montclair Specialty Hospital on the North Shore. Vanessa had consulted her while she was pregnant with Bo. In her practice, McKenna championed water birth. Eventually, Vanessa had found a San Francisco doctor in line with that thinking.

  “I totally agree, but I also understand Jillian’s reasoning.” Vanessa frowned, thinking back to the initial discussion with her sister. “Apparently, she knows another freelance PR person who was diagnosed, let people know, and promptly lost all her clients. It shouldn't happen but it does. Some companies get worried about their deadlines.”

  McKenna’s face paled. “That's terrible.”

  “Totally.” Amy tightened each of her pigtails with a jerk.

  “The good news is, she's her own boss and doesn't have to punch in on days when she's not feeling great. The bad news is you can’t openly show support.” Vanessa flipped open the menu. She didn't want to discuss Jillian's situation. They had everything under control. With Jack and Alex’s help, she expected their numbers to pop. She was taping the advertorial in the morning. “Ready to order?”

  “Jillian is going be fine. You know that, right?” McKenna grabbed her hand.

  Vanessa felt the reassuring current of old friendship. These were the girls she’d played dress-up with in third grade. They'd supplied her with M&Ms when Terry Dunlop didn’t ask her to Fenwick’s senior prom. How she’d lusted after Fenwick’s quarterback, flirting shamelessly with him in this very ice cream parlor. But Terry was hot for Allison Gentry of the big blue eyes and bigger boobs. So be it. Amy, McKenna and Vanessa had pulled together an un-prom party that was the hit of the year.

  Face tight with her sweet intensity, Amy grabbed both their hands.

  “All for one and one for all. Stand tall!” they recited. On each face was etched the memory of a tough time. The time Vanessa announced that her father had taken off two weeks after her mother’s funeral. The time Amy’s father had a heart attack. The time one of McKenna’s many brothers was in a car accident. Their hands tightened and then released.

  “Back to your stellar TV appearance. You looked terrific on that show,” McKenna said with a knowing smile. “And I am serious about that skirt. Just one time, pretty please?”

  “Never going to happen,” Vanessa told her with a sly grin. “Amy asked first.”

  “I did not!” Amy yelped. “Like I’d ever wear that.”

  McKenna and Vanessa cracked up. Amy clapped one hand over her mouth. “Vanessa, I didn’t mean anything.”

  “Only that I’m a total tramp.” Vanessa sniffed, but she was smiling. “You’re just a goody two shoes.”

  Amy flushed.

  “Kidding, kidding,” Vanessa said quickly, but there was some truth to that statement, and they knew it. Huffing a sigh, Vanessa settled back, skimming the menu. This was what she’d missed in California. Being with people who’d known her forever. Folks who accepted her, no matter what.

  No matter what she did after drinking too much tequila. The menu blurred.

  McKenna and Amy didn’t know about Vegas. Funny how she held back about that night. They knew about Ethan, but not Alex. Her pride had some limits. One night stands had never been their thing. “Ever since the show aired, Grandpa Joe keeps telling customers I was on TV.”

  “He’s just proud of you,” McKenna said. “And rightly so.”

  “Such a sweetheart.” Amy’s eyes softened. If Grandpa weren’t so old, she’d probably marry him. Instead she was marrying Jason. The votes were still out on the coach. McKenna and Vanessa had tried to talk sense into the girl. But when Amy fell, she fell hard, and Jason was one handsome guy.

  “Grandpa Joe even tried to take pictures of the TV screen with his old Pentax camera.” Vanessa groaned. The whole thing was embarrassing but cute.

  “Hey, ladies, ready to order?” The waitress had arrived and turned to Vanessa first.

  “Hot fudge sundae.” Why did she even look at the menu?

  Fudge. Warm. Brown.

  For a second, she zoned out, remembering Alex’s eyes. Maybe she should have ordered a banana split. Oh, she’d felt those heated glances, all right. Alex’s deep brown eyes were responsible for more than one batch of ruined cakes.

  “Make it two,” Amy piped up.

  “Three,” McKenna chimed in. “Hold the whip cream on mine.”

  The other two hooted. “What? You’re dieting?”

  McKenna turned as red as her hair. “Okay, forget I said that. Bring it on.” She slid down in her chair.

  “Since when are you giving up on whipped cream?” Vanessa asked after the waitress had walked away.

  “Since summer arrived,” McKenna admitted. “I'd like to get into my bathing suit. Sometimes I stop at the beach on my way home from the hospital.”

  “Sweet,” Amy murmured, dreamy-eyed. “Wish I worked near a beach.”

  “Want to head down to Oak Street Beach someday?” Vanessa still felt a little guilty about her business trip to Michigan. The public beach sure wasn’t New Buffalo, but Bo wouldn’t know the difference. He’d love it.

  Amy wrinkled her nose. “Can't. Teaching summer school. With the wedding right around the corner, I need the money.” Her wedding was scheduled for September. Vanessa and McKenna were both in the wedding party.

  Vanessa's face must have fallen because Amy quickly added, “Maybe we can plan something on a weekend. You’re thinking of Bo, right? We’ll work something out.” Amy squeezed her hand.

  “Count me in. I’ll meet you down there.” McKenna’s eyes narrowed. “Back to your TV shenanigans. Details, please. Some of the guys were looking pretty hot. Nurses don’t have a lot of free time to find men.”

  Her mind stalled. Vanessa was still processing why Alex made her heart beat double time, while Jack felt more like a friend.

  “Ah, hah. Is that silence guilty or what?” McKenna pressed, while Amy’s eyes widened with curiosity. “Full disclosure, please.”

  Well, that could never happen. “Griff’s a nice guy, and Lee
too.”

  Thank goodness the waitress returned with their order. Satisfied sighs circled the table as they dug in. Petersen’s never disappointed. They’d built their reputation on hand-churned ice cream and homemade hot fudge. Vanessa let the warm mouthful of chocolate linger on her tongue.

  Across from her, McKenna whisked up a spoonful of whipped cream. “Where was my head? I’ll give up peanut butter instead of this.”

  “But you’re allergic to peanuts.” Amy’s forehead wrinkled.

  “What’s your point?”

  While they howled, the muscles in Vanessa's neck loosened. Lately, she’d been so tense. Too tense.

  “So, you mentioned two of the guys, what about the other two?” McKenna circled back to Eye of the Tiger.

  “Oh, Alex and Jack.” Her tone reached for casual. “Great guys. Gave me the backing, well, more than I’d asked for, really. But I have to tape an advertorial later this week.”

  “Oh, no,” Amy and McKenzie said in unison.

  “Oh, yes. You know how I feel about that.”

  “Speech class was a long time ago, but you could hardly get the words out.” Amy slid lower in her chair, like she was sorry she mentioned it.

  “Come on. You can do it,” McKenna insisted. “You did great on that TV show. Really. The Tigers ate it up.”

  “I totally froze,” she admitted. “Jillian had to cover for me.”

  McKenna shrugged. “Still, you were a hit. Why else would they give you more money than you asked for?”

  “It’s just business, McKenna,’” she protested.

  “Oh, puh-lease. With men, it’s never just business.” Sometimes McKenna’s practical side bordered on cynicism. “Any time the camera landed on one of the Tigers, their eyes were pinned to you. Usually on that show, they exchange glances like SOS signals. That was not happening.”

  “Girl, they were eating you up.” Amy gave her spoon one final, suggestive lick.

  Thinking back to how agonizing that show had been, Vanessa shook her head. “Trust me, that show was not fun.” Factoring in Alex, it had been nerve wracking.