by Raina Wilde
By the end of his rant his voice was merely a whisper. Lori could not bring herself to reply. They both had their reasons for feeling the way that they did. They were both wrong, and they were both right.
“Come on.” He sighed. “I’m taking you home.”
He opened the door for her and she slid into the vehicle. The ride back to her apartment was excruciating. Neither of them spoke. Lori stared out the passenger window and waited for her tears to dry. Josh stared with complete focus on the road ahead.
When they arrived, she got out of the vehicle and he did not say a word. When she heard the car pull away behind her, Lori was certain that this was the end. She doubted that Josh would ever speak to her again.
Chapter 13
The following morning, Lori awoke with swollen eyes and a headache from crying. Josh was supposed to pick her up at noon, but she knew that he was not coming. She needed to get ready earlier if she was going to catch the bus in time.
Lori had just finished piling her blond curls on top of her head when there was a soft knock on the door. It was eleven o’clock and she had no idea who it would be at this hour.
When she opened the door, Josh was standing there looking devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo.
“I snuck through the front door as someone else was coming out. May I come in?” His face revealed nothing.
“Josh…I”
“Lori, we need to talk.” He pressed.
With a deep breath she allowed him to pass.
Emmy ran into the room with a squeal of delight.
“Mr. Josh!” She curled herself around one of Josh’s perfectly tailored legs. “You came back!”
Josh laughed and peeled the girl off of him.
“Why don’t you give your mommy and I a minute to talk.” He smiled at the child who was pouting in front of him. “I promise that we won’t take long.”
“You can’t take long or mommy’s going to be late for the wedding.” The little girl skipped down the hallway and left the adults alone.
“She’s cute.” Josh pointed out, as he lay a garment bag that Lori had not noticed before over the back of a chair.
Lori nodded. What was she supposed to say?
Josh approached Lori and took her hands in his own.
“Lori, you know that I love you. That I’ve always loved you.” He began.
Lori felt a knot rise in her throat. After all of his anger the previous night she had not expected such tender words.
“I wanted to marry you four years ago, even before the night that we made love, and even now none of that has changed.”
Josh gave her hands a gentle tug and Lori found herself pressed against him. He released her hands and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Lori was still uncertain and so she remained frozen, with her arms crushed between them, and her face turned up toward his.
“I don’t like what you did, but I understand why you did it.” Lori had started to pull away but stopped when she heard the last words. “There isn’t anything that can be done to change the past but, I’m hoping that it doesn’t mean that we don’t still have a future.”
Lori pressed her forehead against Josh’s chest in order to hide the tears that were gathering in her eyes.
“Lori, look at me.”
She did, reluctantly.
“You mean everything to me. You always have. And now, that little girl does too.” He wiped the tears from her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers. “I want to make this work between us and, this time, I’m not going to let you push me away.”
Lori’s body shook with sobs and Josh plied her with gentle kisses until they subsided.
“I’m in love with you Lori Stone.” He whispered.
“I love you too.” Her voice was barely audible and came in short bursts.
“I’m going to tell Emmy who I am.” When Lori gave him a warning look, he stopped her. "I’m not going anywhere this time. The two of you are stuck with me for the rest of your lives and I’m not hiding this anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Lori was trying not to be too hopeful. Could Josh really mean what she thought he meant?
“Well, first I think that we have some dating to do.” Josh laughed and Lori could not resist a smile. “We have a lot of catching up to do but, I think if we really make a go of it, the ultimate goal would be to convince you to marry me.”
Lori laughed and wrapped her arms around Josh’s waist.
“I like the sound of that.” She spoke into his chest.
“We’re a family now.” Josh’s hand brushed along her spine and Lori closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation. “There’s no more pretending. No more hiding. Deal?”
“Deal.” Lori smiled and hugged Josh closer to her.
“One more thing.” Josh persisted.
“What?” She looked up at him with hesitant eyes.
“You’re finishing school and following your own dreams now.” When Lori began to argue he shook his head and continued. “I’m where I want to be. Now, it’s your turn.”
Lori kissed him but did not respond. It all sounded too good to be true.
“Gross momma.” Emmy’s voice spoke from behind her and Lori froze. Josh’s laughter made her embarrassment all the worse.
“Emmy.” Josh released Lori and offered his hand to the small child. “I have something for you.”
Emmy was instantly distracted by the prospect of a gift and she followed him happily to retrieve the garment bag.
When he unzipped it, Lori and Emmy both gasped. Inside was the most beautiful, tiny gown that Lori had ever seen.
“Is that for me?” Emmy asked.
Josh laughed. “Yes it is, Emmy. I don’t think it with fit anyone else.”
Emmy ran her hands over the intricate beading and hugged the gown. “I can play princess now, Momma!”
“Well, first you have to wear it to a wedding. Do you think that you can do that?” Josh asked the question as if it was a very serious issue.
Emmy responded with a nod and an expression that mirrored her father’s.
“Josh…” Lori began. Taking Emmy to the wedding was going to raise all sorts of questions. She knew that she had agreed to stop hiding, but this was all very sudden.
“This is a family wedding.” Josh interjected. “I want to go with my family.”
Emmy’s eyes were wide as she stared up at Josh.
“Momma, can I go? Pretty please? I want to be in Mr. Josh’s family too.” Emmy ran to her mother and wrapped her arms around Lori’s legs. “Puh-lease” she begged.
Lori looked up at Josh who was standing there with a victorious smile.
“Well, I guess I’m outnumbered.” She laughed. “Let’s go get you dressed, princess.”
THE END
Flip the page for Bonus 1: Fighting For Love!
Fighting For Love
Jenna Pitsenburg, a no-nonsense sports agent, receives the opportunity of a lifetime in the form of a lucrative promotion that will catapult her directly into the career of her dreams. The only problem is that the terms of the promotion come with a major hitch: her future career hinges on the completion of a successful contract with a particular high-profile client—none other than bad-boy, professional MMA fighter, Alexander Rockwell.
Jenna wants nothing to do with her arrogant, super-star, ex-boyfriend, the man who disappeared without a trace from her bed over five years ago. She’s heard about the terrible reputation he has developed on his search for fame and glory and she has little confidence in his ability to change.
However, Jenna, armed for battle, is not prepared to discover that his journey has left Alex feeling unfulfilled and in need of a new direction in his life—a new direction that he has every intention of sharing with Jenna...
Fighting For Love
Jenna Pitsenburg sat suddenly upright in the center of her plush queen-sized bed. Her sleep mask was shoved haphazardly toward the messy bun that sprouted directly from the top of her head
while she glanced with disdain at the bedside alarm clock. It read 4:59 A.M.
With only moments to spare she cancelled the alarm before it released an obnoxious, ear-splitting ring that would have been enough to cause a heart attack if rousing its victims from a deep slumber.
Disentangling her legs from the satin bed-covers, Jenna shifted the sheer nightgown to fit more comfortably over her voluminous breasts. Even though she had rarely made time to date these past five years, it always made her feel beautiful to start her day in luxurious clothing. She had developed the habit years ago after realizing how much her confidence soared when waking in the morning to her boyfriend gazing at her lush frame with pure adoration. Wanting to maximize his pleasure Jenna had invested in a glamorous collection of plus-sized nightwear that remained long after the relationship had ended.
Jenna’s eyebrows pinched together in confusion. It had been a long time since she had associated her pyjamas with Alex. Generally she was successful at pushing his memory to the back of her mind, a habit developed out of extreme necessity and self-preservation. Most of the original pieces had been replaced over time so, why then, had her mind strayed down that particular path?
Then, like a bucket of ice water rushing over her skin, she remembered.
Jenna rocketed out of bed and rushed down the hallway to the office of her small Chicago condominium.
“Please be a dream. Please be a dream.” She muttered relentlessly as if sheer determination could make it true.
As she waited for her computer to load she paced anxiously around the tiny office still whispering the same four words like a desperate plea to the universe.
The screen flashed to life and Jenna settled into the yellow upholstered chair at her desk.
She took a deep, steadying breath.
“It IS a dream. It HAS to be.” She logged in to her email account and accessed a message from only the night before.
Ms. Pitsenburg,
We are pleased to inform you that the Board of Directors has noted your exceptional performance representing Mr. Caulfield during his recent sponsorship negotiations with Laramex, Inc.
It has come to our attention that you have submitted an application for the position of Senior Account Executive here at Bramble and Bowman.
As you are well aware, there are two other qualified applicants who surpass you in years of account experience at this time.
However, the board feels that in the seven years you have been with us you have shown extreme talent and tenacity that has yielded results comparable to those with more tenure.
For this reason we have decided to present you with an opportunity to prove that you are the most qualified candidate for the position of Senior Account Executive.
We have received notice of an athlete in need of a fresh new agent who has specifically requested your services. If you are made Senior Account Executive you will no longer be working individually with athletes but instead will be directing and consulting with the agents of your current position. This is your chance to prove that you are capable of handling a high-profile account with the precision and professionalism that you would potentially expect of all agents under your senior guidance.
Alexander Rockwell, the professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter, will be returning from a six-month sabbatical on September 8th. You are to retrieve him from the O’Hare International Airport promptly at 2pm. Lena Norway has been assigned as your personal assistant for this account.
Please note that Mr. Rockwell will remain your client through December 31st at which point the account will be reviewed in regard to acceptance or denial of the promotion.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Bowman
Chairman of the Board
With a resounding thud Jenna dropped her head to the desktop. No wonder her mind had focused on Alex this morning. Starting today she would be his agent, representing him in some of the most important decisions of both of their careers.
She was torn between excitement and agony.
Jenna had been working for this opportunity for seven long years, since even before she had initially met Alex. She had not then had the experience needed to take him where he was going professionally. He had been a rising star and she, a lowly pencil pusher. Now, though, they were both at the top of their game. Equals.
Even with all of her success as a sports agent Jenna did not understand why Alex would have requested her specifically. They had not ended on the best of terms, or rather; they had hardly ended on any terms at all. One day Alex was beside her, and the next he was gone, packed up like a thief in the night. Two months later she had seen him in a television interview with a leggy blonde draped on his arm, and six weeks after that, a bikini model with flowing chestnut-brown hair. Jenna could not imagine ever wearing a bikini but, she smiled to herself, she did have a pretty amazing one-piece that made her feel like a sultry Marilyn Monroe in candy-apple red.
With newfound determination Jenna sat up. She had not seen Alex in five years. For all either of them cared he was just a regular client choosing the best agent available. She refused to let him rain on her parade. She was going to be Senior Account Executive and the notion of working with that scumbag would not slow her down.
With that thought, Jenna rose and went to prepare for the day ahead.
An hour later Jenna entered the offices of Bramble and Bowman wearing a crème tie-neck blouse, full skirt and a pair of elegant black stilettos that meant serious business. Her olive skin still had a slight tan from the summer sun and the stylish chignon emphasized her sleek auburn hair.
Lena Norway, who was perched casually on the edge of her own desk, bounced with excitement as Jenna drew near.
“What are you doing here?” Jenna asked. “I thought you weren’t supposed to be back from the family reunion until tomorrow.”
“Excuse me?” Lena threw an incredulous look over her shoulder as they marched toward Jenna’s glass encased office. “I switched my plane tickets as soon as I got the email last night. Did you really think I would miss your first day as S.A.E?”
“I have a lot of work to do before I get the promotion, Lena.”
“Ok, fine. You aren’t S.A.E. Yet. But what kind of best friend would I be if I sent you to the wolves on day one.” Lena shrugged. “ OK. Wolf.”
“It isn’t going to be like that.” Jenna said confidently. She closed the door to her office as if she could close the door on the subject. Unfortunately, Lena persisted.
“No? So, you’re fine?” Lena raised an eyebrow. “It doesn’t bother you at all that you will be working for the love of your life?”
“He isn’t the love of my life.” Jenna protested.
“Fine. He isn’t the love of your life. But he used to be.”
“This is just a professional relationship. I haven’t seen Alex in over five years. Everything that happened in the past is just that, in the past. As far as I am concerned I never have to see him again after New Years Eve.” Jenna was proud of the conviction with which she was able to present the speech. She was absolutely certain that she would be able to remain professionally detached from the situation as long as she did not have to re-examine long buried issues. She just hoped that Alexander Rockwell shared her mindset.
“I hope that’s true.” Lena turned the coffee machine on and waited for two mugs to fill. Then she continued very quietly. “I am just worried about you, Jen. Last time… well, sometimes I wonder if you ever really got over it. I know you’ve moved on and I know you have your life just the way you’ve always wanted, but there hasn’t been anyone since Alex. No matter how many guys ask you out, you haven’t let anyone else even begin to get close.” Walking over to her friend, Lena handed her a steaming mug. “Just tell me the truth, please, because I am only going to ask this once. Is this promotion worth going through all of that again? Is it so important that you can’t just tell them that you aren’t ready.”
Jenna blew on her coffee while she contemplated her answer. Ther
e had been a lot of things in her future she had wanted. Most of them disappeared when Alex did. This job was something that had always been there for her. She was not going to let him take this from her as well.
“I want this promotion more than anything and I am ready for it. I mean that with my whole heart, Lena. If I pass up this opportunity I don’t know how long it will be before it comes again. This is my chance. Alexander Rockwell is just a client and I am not going to let him stand in my way.
“OK, Boss-man.” Lena’s entire demeanor reverted to her usual spunky self. “Tell me what to do!”
Jenna laughed.
“First I need you to book a room in the best hotel that has a penthouse open for a few months. That will give us time to find him a permanent residence. Then, I need you to have groceries delivered to the room. Focus mainly on veggies and protein. He is going to need a clean diet if he is training.” Lena scribbled frantically on a small notepad in her hand. “He doesn’t like carrots, but send them anyway because he needs the crunch after a hard workout and we don’t want him resorting to chips. Don’t give me that look.” Jenna laughed, as Lena froze with her mouth open. “Think of it as good recon, we will use my knowledge to do a better job.” She pointed at the notepad to remind Lena to keep writing. “Next, if you could call his trainer, Marco Mandelli, and get a release for his full calendar, sync it with ours and then send it to Bethany in promotions to see if there are any events we can book him for in his free time. If you start with that, while I schedule a signing for this afternoon and call some potential sponsors, I should be able to get to the airport by one-thirty.”
Jenna took a deep breath and checked her watch. This was going to be a piece of cake, she thought.