Brandon tried to concentrate on the many tasks in front of him, but his mind kept straying to the meeting and speculating on what was going on.
At fifteen minutes before eleven, he left his office and made his way to the conference room. His baby sister, Morgan, was already there and typing on her iPad.
Morgan lifted her head. “Hey, Brandon.”
“Hey, sis.” He leaned down, placed a kiss on her temple and slid into the chair next to her. “How’s the sports management world coming?”
“I just picked up another player,” she said with a bright smile. “That makes six.”
He nodded. “I’m proud of you, girl.” When she had first expressed a desire to be a sports agent, Brandon had been skeptical about her ability to break into the male-dominated field, especially since she was so young, with only two years of law experience. But now, at twenty-eight, Morgan had not only broken into the field, she’d shattered the wall.
“Thanks.” She shut down her iPad. “Do you know what the meeting is about?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Malcolm said, entering with Khalil.
Brandon shook his head. “I have no idea.”
Siobhan breezed through the door and greeted everyone. Malcolm rounded the table and pulled her chair out. “Thanks, baby brother.”
He kissed her cheek. “You’re welcome. How’re you feeling?”
She smiled. “Pretty good, now that the morning sickness has passed. Anybody know why we’re here?”
They all shrugged.
Khalil said, “I hope this isn’t some announcement about Mom or Dad being sick.”
Siobhan shook her head. “I just talked to Mom yesterday. She didn’t mention anything about not feeling well and she sounded fine.”
Brandon leaned back in his chair. “I hope you’re right.”
“Good. You’re all here.” They all turned at the sound of their father’s voice. Nolan Gray closed the door and took his seat at the head of the table. “I know you all are wondering why I called this meeting, so I’ll get right to it. Thad and I will be retiring effective the last Friday of this month.” He shifted his gaze to Brandon. “Brandon, starting Monday, you and I will begin your transition. We’ll also put things in place to start interviewing for your current position.
Brandon nodded and relief filled him. And he already had someone in mind for his job.
His father leaned forward. “I’m also happy to announce that the vice president position, as well as Thad’s seat on the board, will be filled by a Whitcomb heir, just as we had always hoped.”
There was stunned silence for a full minute, then the room exploded with questions.
“Uncle Thad has a child?”
“Who is it?”
“Why haven’t we ever met his kids?”
Brandon’s chest tightened until he felt light-headed. Was he going to be expected to train this guy? And why come out of the woodworks after all this time? All of his siblings’ eyes were on him. He clenched his teeth and he gripped the chair arms so hard it was a wonder they didn’t break.
“Yes, Thad has a child. It’s a long story that I’ll leave him to share. Introductions will be made at the next advisory board meeting in two weeks.”
Brandon stared at his father in disbelief. “Why now?”
His father sighed. “As I said, Brandon, it’s a long story. This changes nothing for you, son.”
He pushed to his feet angrily. “It changes everything.” He stalked out. Brandon had been there since he was a teen and knew every inch of the business. He couldn’t believe his father expected him to spend precious time training someone who had never set foot in the company.
To keep from saying something he would regret, he avoided talking to his siblings and his father for the rest of the afternoon. The only bright spot was that he’d be seeing Faith in a while.
Brandon reached the hotel close to seven. She had booked the same place and her ground floor room was only two doors down from the original one. When she opened the door, he barely said hello before hauling her into his arms and crushing his mouth against hers in an urgent kiss. She came up on tiptoe to meet him stroke for stroke. He lifted her in his arms, kicked the door shut and carried her across the room to the sofa. The longer he kissed her, the more he began to feel. An unnamed emotion stirred within him and he broke the kiss.
“Mmm, hello to you, too,” Faith said.
Holding her in his arms and looking into the face that haunted his nights, Brandon realized he had missed her more than he cared to admit. “Hi, sweetheart.” He lowered his head again, unable to get enough of kissing her. At length, he eased back. “How was your trip home?”
She made a move to leave his lap, but he tightened his arms to stay her. She stared at him a moment, then relaxed against his shoulder. “I got a lot accomplished.”
“Did you and your mother talk?”
“Yep. We’re working through it.” She sat up. “Do you want something to eat or drink?”
“No, thanks.” He had originally planned to stay longer, but his mood had soured thanks to his dad’s little bombshell.
“Is everything okay?”
Brandon frowned. “Yeah, why?”
“I don’t know. I heard something in your voice.”
He studied her. What did that mean? He hadn’t heard anything. And only two other people could read him that well—Khalil and Siobhan. But they’d known him his whole life. How could this woman whom he’d met a month ago seem to know him so well?
“It sounded like you were bothered by something, that’s all.”
He leaned his head against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes briefly. Maybe talking to her would help. “There’s some work stuff going on that has me frustrated.”
She scooted off his lap and onto the sofa. “You’re not in danger of losing your job, are you?” she asked with concern.
“No, nothing like that.”
Something like relief crossed her features. “I’m really glad to hear that. I didn’t want you taking off for me to cause you trouble. Are you having problems with your boss?”
Brandon hesitated a beat. “Actually, I’m the boss and will be taking over as CEO of the company at the end of the month.”
Faith angled her head. Her eyebrows knit in confusion. “Excuse me, but exactly how is that frustrating? Most people would kill to be in your position. Unless you don’t want the job,” she added.
“Oh, I want it. I’ve worked my butt off for seventeen years waiting to get it. And now some unknown person is going to come in and be second-in-command.” He wished he knew something...anything about this guy. All prospective employees went through a routine background check, but Brandon planned to be more thorough this time.
“I still don’t understand.”
“I expected to run the company solo, and that’s how I want it. I just learned that a person who hasn’t spent one day at this company is to be my right hand. I don’t have the time or inclination to train someone to do a job he doesn’t deserve and one I can do alone.”
“So, from what you’re saying, the current CEO is bringing in a person to be your second-in-command, right?”
“Yes.”
“But, you’ll be the CEO, so even if this person is there, you will still have the last word on any decisions.” Faith shrugged. “And who knows, he may have something to contribute.”
That wasn’t what Brandon wanted to hear. “So, I’m supposed to just welcome this person in and let him decide the future of my company?”
She lifted a brow. “You don’t need to get so snippy, Brandon. All I’m saying is you should try to give this guy a chance before you decide his worth.” She smiled. “Obviously, the current CEO thinks he’s okay, so maybe it won’t be so bad.” She reached for his hand.
>
He jumped to his feet. “I don’t expect you to understand what it’s like to work your entire adult life for something, only to have the reins to be divided at the last minute.”
Faith slowly came to her feet and glared at him. “What I don’t understand is your attitude.” She strode across the room and opened the door. “Maybe you should leave.”
Brandon scrubbed a hand down his face. He hadn’t meant to take out his anger and irritation on her. “Faith, I—”
“Just go.”
He opened his mouth to apologize.
She held up a hand. “Leave. Please.”
Rather than dig himself into a deeper hole, he sighed with regret and did as she asked. This was exactly why he kept his dating life fluid—two or three dates and move on—and the expectations stated up front. That way feelings and emotions never came into play. Brandon had no idea how this thing with Faith had gotten so out of hand. Instead of the short fling they’d agreed upon, something else was growing and he couldn’t make it stop. However, he did owe Faith an apology. He just hoped she’d give him the chance.
Chapter 12
Friday, Faith sat staring at her computer screen. She had been working on the same page for over two hours, but couldn’t concentrate for more than a few minutes. Brandon’s sharp words played over and over in her head. And no matter how much she tried to deny it, she’d been hurt by them. Pushing her feelings aside, she refocused on updating the events page for one of her clients. She had only been working five minutes when her cell rang. Hoping it wasn’t Brandon, she picked up the phone and relaxed upon seeing Kathi’s name.
“Hey, girl.”
“Hey, Faith. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to call you back yesterday. It’s been a little crazy around here.”
“No problem. Are you on your lunch break?”
“Yep. And I want to know what your father said.”
Faith relayed the details of her and Thad’s conversation, including him giving her the check and his job offer. “I was so stunned I could barely think. I’m still trying to process it all.”
“Wow, vice president. That’s unbelievable.”
“Tell me about it. And a seat on the board.” She still couldn’t believe it herself.
“You know that would mean you’d have to move to LA,” Kathi said. “Are you going to do it?”
Faith blew out a long breath. “I have no idea. It would mean turning my whole life upside down. I told him I’d think about it, but I don’t know anything about home safety.”
She chuckled. “Maybe not, but for a VP salary, I’d learn real quick.”
“I bet you would,” she said with a little laugh. “Seriously though, my head is all over the place right now and I’m confused. If I do this, I’m worried about how my parents are going to feel, especially my mom. She’s just beginning to accept me having a relationship with Thad. She’ll probably freak out if I say I’m moving and succeeding him at his company.”
“There is that, but it’s your life and it’s not like they can’t visit.”
“True.” Faith could just imagine the blowup. She and her mother had come to a truce of sorts, but this could potentially start another feud, one Faith wasn’t sure she wanted to initiate.
“Do you know what kind of stuff the company manufactures? And what’s the name of it?”
“No to both questions. Thad gave me his business card and asked me to check it out, but I was so overwhelmed that I just stuck it in my purse without looking at it. And I got a little sidetracked last night. I do plan to check it out later today.”
Kathi sighed dreamily. “I so wish stuff like this would happen to me. Anyway, I need to finish lunch and get back to work. Keep me posted.”
“I will.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you should go for it. I’m sure you’d be able to continue your business on the side, just like you were doing before. Not to mention, I’d have a permanent vacation spot. Just saying.”
Faith smiled. “Only you, Kathi. Bye, girl.” Before she could set the phone down, it rang again. Her smile faded. Brandon. She debated whether to answer or let it go to voice mail like she had done last night. It rang twice more. She heaved a deep sigh and answered.
“I know I’m the last person you want to talk to right now,” Brandon said before she could utter a greeting. “But please don’t hang up, Faith.”
“What can I do for you Brandon?” She tried to remain unmoved by his sincere plea.
“I want to apologize for all the things I said last night. I had no right to take my frustrations out on you. I—”
“No, you did not,” she said bluntly, cutting him off. She had done nothing to deserve his tirade and she wasn’t giving him a pass.
He sighed heavily. “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”
“Why should I?”
“Faith,” he started again.
“Look, Brandon. I know you’re used to women falling all over you, letting you get away with saying whatever you please, then accepting a half-assed apology. Well, I’m not one of them.”
“No, you’re not,” Brandon said quietly. “And if you’d let me get a word in, I’d like to try to make things right.”
“Go ahead,” she mumbled, slouching down in the chair and folding her arms.
“Thank you. I am truly sorry for my harsh words. Believe me, baby, they were never meant for you. Sometimes—well, all the time if you ask my family,” he added with a wry chuckle, “I tend to speak without thinking. I’m really trying to work on it. Faith, you are unlike any woman I have ever met and I don’t want to mess up what’s happening between us.”
Faith sat up straight. What did he mean by that? There wasn’t anything happening between them, was there? Granted, her feelings for him had been growing from the moment she woke up in the hospital and saw him sitting in the chair, but did he have feelings for her, as well?
“Please forgive me.”
How in the world was she supposed resist when he was playing dirty with that sexy voice and earnest confession? “Okay.”
“I can’t promise I won’t shove my foot in my mouth again, but I will try.” Silence rose between them. “So, does this mean we’re still on for tomorrow evening?”
She had forgotten about their date. “Yes. And that surprise better be good. Better than good.”
Brandon burst out laughing. “Sweetheart, you have my word. It will be better than good.”
As much as Faith wanted to stay mad, she couldn’t.
“I need to get back to work. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“All right.”
“And, Faith?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for giving me another chance.”
Faith held the phone against her heart, lowered her head and closed her eyes. His softly spoken words echoed through her. She was getting in too deep with this man.
Pushing thoughts of Brandon out of her mind, she went to retrieve Thad’s business card from her purse. She couldn’t concentrate on work and talking with Kathi had roused her curiosity more. She typed in the web address and the company’s home page materialized on the screen. The transition between pages was smooth and the site very user-friendly. She was grudgingly impressed. Faith went back to the “About Us” page to learn more about the people behind the company. Nolan Gray, the company’s CEO, was a handsome older gentleman with an impressive résumé. He’d come a long way from the garage-based company he’d started.
She scrolled down, saw Thad’s photo and smiled. It was obvious that their web design team updated the staff photos often because he looked exactly as he did when she’d seen him two nights ago. Faith continued down the page to the Director of Home Safety and her fingers froze on the track pad.
“Oh, no.�
�� She closed her eyes and opened them again, hoping the image on the screen would change. It didn’t. There, looking as handsome as ever in a dark tailored suit and perched on the edge of a large mahogany desk was Brandon.
Faith brought her hands to her face and a sick feeling bubbled in her stomach. She was the one he thought would come in and take over. The one who knew nothing about his company and the one he would have to train. Another thought hit her. Brandon had mentioned when they first met that he worked for a home safety company. Why hadn’t she put two and two together? Because he didn’t seem to like talking about his job, she had just dismissed it. She groaned. Just great! No way would she take the VP position now. How would she explain it to her father? She had seen the hope in his eyes. And Brandon, knowing how he felt, how was she going to tell him?
* * *
Brandon wrapped up his meeting with the production manager, glad to know that numbers for the new pressure mattresses had increased. He was especially happy to hear that despite the hiccup with the rails eighteen months ago, those numbers were on the rise, as well. He thanked the woman and rose when she did to walk her to the door. He closed it behind her and went back to his desk.
Thoughts of his earlier conversation with Faith floated through his mind. He’d told her that she was unlike any other woman he had known and he’d meant it. Brandon had never begged a woman—he always found it easier to walk away—but he had come close with Faith. Why her? He shook his head. She had read him up one way and down the other and called his initial attempt to apologize half-assed. Then expected his surprise to better than good. Damn. What a woman. He planned to take her to his house and prepare dinner, but after messing up with her he needed to step up his game. And he knew just what to do.
Brandon picked up the receiver and called Khalil. Ten minutes later, he hung up confident that what he had in mind would far exceed better than good. He still couldn’t believe that he had said the things he had. But she had struck a nerve when she told him to wait and see, and that if the current CEO thought the new guy wasn’t not too bad, it should be okay. She had no way of knowing that the current CEO was his father and that he and his uncle Thad knew more than they were letting on.
Giving My All to You Page 12