Her telephone was ringing when she unlocked the door to her home and she rushed to catch it.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Faith? This is Siobhan Cartwright. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Thanks for asking.” Had Brandon asked her to call? “What can I help you with?”
“Two things. One, I wanted to know if you had any questions about your new position and two, I wanted to make sure you were coming to the retirement party for our fathers. I know Uncle Thad will be happy to see you and it will give me and my sister and brothers more time to get to know you.”
“I hadn’t really planned to—”
“This will also be a good time for you to meet some of the other employees you’ll be working with. You don’t have to worry about your flight and hotel arrangements. I’ll take care of them and email you the details. What’s your email address?”
Faith rattled it off.
“If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call. I’ll send you an email in the morning with all of my information. I look forward to seeing you again.”
“Same here,” Faith said, not believing that she had just agreed to go back to LA.
“Have a good evening, Faith.”
“Thanks. You, too.” She hung up, shook her head and remembered that this woman was the PR director and probably did this kind of thing in her sleep. And she was good at it. Faith wasn’t looking forward to seeing Brandon, but reminded herself she was going for her father, not him. Now she needed to shop for a formal dress. Kathi was going to love that.
The phone rang again. She glanced down at the display and smiled upon seeing Thad’s number. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, baby. I wasn’t sure if you knew about the retirement party and I wanted to make sure you’re coming.”
“I talked to Siobhan already and I’ll be there.”
“I’d like to invite your mother and father, as well.”
Faith gasped in surprise. “I’ll ask them.” They talked a while longer about how she was dealing with the breakup and some of the things she would need to know about her position on the board, then ended the call.
She leaned back in the chair and tapped the phone against her chin. How would her parents react to the invitation? Her stepfather, ever the diplomat, would probably be okay, but she wasn’t as sure about her mother. Even Faith felt a little uneasy about how things might play out. She loved all of her parents and the last thing she wanted or needed was more drama in her life. She’d have enough to deal with that night. And just thinking about it gave her a headache, so she turned her attention back to work.
Faith spent the remainder of the evening and the next day working on some preliminary logo designs for a client.
She waited until late Monday afternoon to go visit her parents. Her mother worked as a school librarian and was off for the summer, and her dad worked at the post office.
Her mother greeted her with a strong hug and searched Faith’s face. “How are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m okay, Mom.” Faith turned to her father and greeted him the same way. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hey, baby. I’m glad to see you.”
She took a seat on a chair opposite them. “I’ve been invited to attend the retirement party for my father and Nolan Gray two weeks from now.” She looked at her mother. “Dad specifically invited you two.”
Her mother frowned. “Us? Why?”
Faith shrugged. “He didn’t say. Just that he really wanted you to come.” She could see the wheels turning in her mother’s head, trying to come up with an excuse to decline.
“I think that’s a great idea, Francis,” her father said. “Tell him we’ll be there.”
“Okay. I’ll see about travel arrangements. Can you get off work, Dad?”
“I have enough leave time for three people. I’m sure they won’t miss me for a couple of days.”
She nodded. “I’ll let you know when everything is set up.”
He stood. “This grass isn’t going to cut itself, so I’ll leave you two to talk.” He bent and kissed Faith’s forehead, then placed a tender kiss on her mother’s lips before going out back.
When they were alone, she turned to her mother. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
She didn’t know a good way to ask, so she just blurted the question. “Mom, do you ever regret leaving?”
Her mom gave her a sympathetic smile. “If you’re talking about Thad, then yes, for a long time. I loved Thad. And like I told you, he was a good man, but I just didn’t know how to deal with his illness.” She studied Faith. “Why are you asking?”
Faith told her about the breakup with Brandon, how he had come to apologize and the fact that Faith didn’t believe his apology was sincere.
Her mother left the sofa and, taking the chair next to Faith, grasped her hand. “If you love him and get a second chance, don’t be a stubborn fool like me. Take it.”
“Thanks, Mom.” But she didn’t think she had another chance after tossing him out her hotel room four days ago. For all she knew, he may have moved on and that meant she was too late. She shook off the negative thought. It couldn’t be too late.
* * *
Brandon sat in his office late Monday afternoon beginning the task of boxing up his belongings to take to his new office and thinking about Faith. She still hadn’t returned any of his calls.
Siobhan poked her head in the door. “Don’t be here all night or I will come and escort you out.” They shared a smile, recalling a time when he’d said the same thing to her.
“I won’t. I’m just getting things ready for the transition. I plan to be out of here by seven.”
“How’s it going?”
“It’s more than I thought, but I can handle it.” They had promoted one of the managers to take over Brandon’s current position and he had been working on detailed notes for when they met later in the week.
“Just so you know, Faith is coming to the retirement party. From what I understand, her parents will be here, too. So, it might be a good time to bring out all that irresistible charm you’ve always bragged about.”
He chuckled. “The only problem with that approach is that she seems to be immune.”
Siobhan laughed. “Well, there’s only one thing left to do.”
“What’s that?”
She placed a hand on his heart. “Tell her what’s in here. Oh, and remind her what she’d be missing without you. That’s a little advice from Mom.”
“Mom?”
“Yep. How do you think I got Justin back after I messed up? And this time, listen to Faith.”
Brandon hugged her. “Thanks, sis.”
“No problem. If you need some help, let me know.” She tossed him a wink and left.
He smiled. There may be some hope for him after all.
Over the next two weeks, between daily meetings with his dad, training his replacement and packing, Brandon was so busy that he didn’t have a chance to figure out a game plan to win Faith back. By the night of the party, he decided to take Siobhan’s advice and just speak from his heart. It was all he had left.
* * *
Faith was nervous as she entered the hotel ballroom with her parents. There had to be at least five hundred people in attendance. She glanced around the elegant space with its high ceilings, stunning crystal chandeliers and walls appointed with gleaming dark wood and expensive fabric panels. There was even a dance floor in the center and a bar set up on the far side of the room.
“Do all these people work for the company?” her mother asked.
“I have no idea.” She spotted Thad coming toward them, looking very handsome in his black tuxedo. She heard her mother gasp softly and smiled at her.
He held o
ut his arms. “Faith, I’m so glad you came.”
“Hi, Dad.”
Thad turned to her mother. “Francis, it’s been a long time. You’re as beautiful as ever.” He kissed her cheek.
“Thank you. It’s good to see you, Thad.”
Faith introduced her stepfather.
The two men shook hands and Thad said, “William and Francis, you did an outstanding job raising Faith. She’s amazing.”
Faith’s mother visibly relaxed and she reached out and hugged him. “Thank you, Thad. And thank you for the invitation. Congratulations on your retirement.”
“Yes, thank you and congratulations,” William echoed.
Thad took them over to meet Nolan and DeAnna Gray and Faith went to get something to drink.
“Hi, Faith. Glad you could make it,” a voice said behind her.
She spun around. “Hi, Morgan.”
“This is my husband, Omar Drummond.”
“Nice to meet you, Faith,” he said.
“Same here, Omar.” The football player was gorgeous with his towering height, bronze skin and flowing locks.
One by one, all the Gray siblings drifted over to say hello. She also had a chance to meet Siobhan’s handsome husband, Justin, the inventor. She saw everyone except Brandon, but didn’t want to ask about him. They all stood there talking while sipping champagne.
A few minutes later, Faith spotted Brandon across the room and choked on the drink. In his formal wear, with his sexy good looks, he was hard to miss. More than a few women stopped him and one particular woman sidled up to him and pressed her body close, making Faith see red. She was tempted to march over and snatch that weave out the woman’s head. She drained the drink, set the glass on the table with a thud and went to find a bathroom, muttering under her breath. Why did seeing another woman with Brandon make her so angry if she claimed to be moving on with her life? Faith had lied to herself. She didn’t want to move on, not without Brandon. She loved him. As her emotions bubbled up, she closed her eyes. Composing herself, she went back to the ballroom. Everyone was headed to his or her table for dinner. She went to go sit with her parents, but Siobhan stopped her, directed her to the head table and seated her next to Brandon.
“I think you two have already met.” Siobhan smiled and strolled off.
Just sitting next to him conjured up everything she felt for this man.
Brandon turned her way and scanned her from head to toe. “How’ve you been?”
“Okay.”
“That makes one of us. I can’t sleep. I miss hearing your voice, seeing your smile. I just miss you, Faith.”
“I don’t know what to say. I...” The servers placed their plates in front of them before she could comment further. Faith thanked the server. They had spared no expense—beef tenderloin, chicken breast with a lemon caper sauce, herb roasted fingerling potatoes and steamed green beans.
Khalil Gray took the chair on the other side of her. “Well hello, Faith. You look absolutely gorgeous. I think I got the best seat in the house.”
Over the course of dinner, Faith found out that Khalil designed accessible equipment for his gym, had a great sense of humor and flirted as easily as he breathed.
“If you’re going to be in town for a while, maybe we can get together for dinner,” Khalil continued.
She shook her head. “I’m only here for the party tonight.”
Brandon leaned forward and directed a glare at his brother. Khalil just smiled and kept right on playing.
If that look was any indication, Faith sensed that Brandon wasn’t too thrilled with his brother’s antics. She just concentrated on her food.
At the conclusion of dinner, each sibling gave tributes to their father.
Mr. Gray spoke next, thanking all of the employees, children and his wife. He laughingly told her, “Anna, now we have plenty of time for that Caribbean cruise we’ve been putting off.”
She responded with a resounding, “Hallelujah!” eliciting laugher throughout the room.
Her father was next and echoed Mr. Gray’s sentiments. “I’m proud to be called Uncle, but tonight is very special because my daughter is here. Stand up, Faith.”
Heat stung Faith’s face. She wasn’t expecting to be singled out, but stood, did a quick wave and sat.
“She will be representing me on the board and I believe she will be a great asset to the company.” Thad concluded his speech and reclaimed his seat.
Mr. Gray rose again to pass the mantel. “It gives me great pleasure to pass the torch to my son Brandon Gray.” He directed his comments to Brandon. “Son, be a servant leader. Your job is to make those around you better.” Mr. Gray faced the audience. “I’m confident he will lead this company well and continue the great work we started. Brandon?”
Brandon stood and joined his father at the podium to thunderous applause. He shook his father’s hand and hugged him. “Thank you, Dad. I’m humbled by your faith in me and will try not to let you down. Most of you who know me know I like to work alone, but my dad reminded me that no one can do it alone.” He shifted his gaze to Faith. “You need great people by your side, ones who will make you better.”
Khalil whispered to Faith, “Guess this means we won’t get that date, beautiful.”
She shifted her confused gaze to Khalil. “What?”
He smiled knowingly. “Big brother just threw down the gauntlet.”
Turning back, Faith barely heard the rest of Brandon’s speech, wondering what he meant by needing great people by your side, ones who will make you better.
Shortly after Brandon finished his speech, the music started and people took to the dance floor. Many of the company employees came up to the table to welcome her. There were so many that, after a while, the names and faces started to blur.
Khalil his extended his hand. “Would you like to dance?”
She hesitated briefly, then placed her hand in his. “Um, sure.”
Out on the floor, they moved to the slow tune. When the song ended, he said, “Thanks for the dance. This may have been my only chance to dance with you...until the wedding, that is.” He chuckled, winked and took her back to the table.
Before she could ask him what he meant, he disappeared in the crowd. Faith danced with her stepfather next, then Brandon’s youngest brother, Malcolm, and finally, her father.
“I think Brandon is beginning to realize what’s important,” Thad said. “I told you that love would always find a way.”
“Is that right?” Yes, he’d mentioned needing great people while looking at her, but she hadn’t wanted to read anything into it. But had he been talking about something other than work? Did she dare hope?
“Yes. And I think you will do well together.” He escorted her over to where Brandon stood on the dance floor.
“Thanks, Unc. I’ll take good care of her.”
“I expect no less, son.”
Faith stood there trying to figure out what was going on. Brandon slid his arm around her waist and started a slow sway. A flood of memories engulfed her—what she’d missed, how his touch made her feel. She missed the warmth of his hands gently caressing her spine, his hard body pressed against hers, the steady beat of his heart. The last time he’d held her this way had ended with him making love to her all night.
As if hearing her thoughts, Brandon said, “I missed holding you in my arms, feeling your heart against mine.” He held her close and continued moving.
She laid her head on his shoulder and melted into him, savoring being held this way. She wished it could be like this always.
“Come take a walk with me,” he said when the song ended. He took her hand and led her out of the ballroom and to the hotel’s garden area. They walked along the path a short distance, and then he stopped and pulled her in front of him. “I
practiced all day what I wanted to say to you and now...now the only thing I can think about is how much I’ve missed you.” He tilted her chin and locked his eyes with hers. “How much I love you and need you in my life.”
“Brandon,” Faith whispered.
“I should have listened to you, shouldn’t have forced you to give up what rightly belongs to you. If I had to do it all again, I’d give it all up just to have you.” He paused as if trying to bring his emotions under control. “Faith, I thought having that job was the most important thing in my life, but you mean more to me than anything. And I don’t care about running the company, if it means I can’t have you.”
Faith was speechless. His passionate confession went straight to her heart. “Are you saying...?”
“Yes. I’m saying I love you and whether you take the job or not, it will always be there for you and so will I. Please give me another chance to show you how much you mean to me.”
“I...yes. I love you, Brandon.” She heard his soft gasp of relief just before he lowered his head and kissed her with a searing intensity that left them both trembling.
Brandon brushed tender kisses along her face. “Thank you for giving me another chance, baby. How long are you going to be here?”
“Until Sunday,” she murmured against his lips. “Why?”
“Can we spend some time together tomorrow?” His lips continued to roam lazily over her neck and shoulder.
As she ran her hands over his broad chest, she wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of tonight reacquainting herself with every part of his body, but she’d settle for the next day. “I’d like that.”
He eased back. “I’ll pick you up around eleven. Is that okay?”
It was better than okay. She had the man she loved back in her life.
* * *
“What are we doing here?” Faith asked the next morning as Brandon parked in the underground garage of the company’s office building.
Brandon got out, came around and helped her out of the car. “You’ll see.”
Giving My All to You Page 19