“Are you telling me that you tailgate in Lansing and skip going to the game?”
“Yes, in fact, that is exactly what I’m telling you.”
“This team has some sort of power over you, Jurnee.” Otis declared as he accepted a cocktail one of the flight attendants offered.
Bryan shook his head when she was out of earshot. “Not tonight, Otis. No jokes. This is Faith’s night.”
“Man, I got you.”
Jurnee was asleep minutes after the plane was in the air. She was curled up next to me, and I felt her breath on my arm. Feeling her next to me like this, helped me relax into sleep until a text alert woke me.
Markus - Your parents are in the States.
Anderson - Which coast?
Markus - West. The story dropped.
“Eric.” He waited for him to look up from his computer. “The story dropped.”
“I know. About an hour and a half ago.”
“What are you working on?” I checked my watch to see how much longer we had.
“Lansing is a gold mine. Residential and commercial opportunities look a lot better after seeing the place. We need to make some long-term decisions.”
“I’ve made one.” Jurnee snuggled in closer to me as a faint snore came out of her mouth. “But I know what you mean. Let’s get through this party and meet next week. I need to have a bigger conversation with her before I start throwing money into her hometown.”
“Have the conversation because we’re going into Lansing. We also should discuss me buying you out of the company whenever you’re ready.”
Bryan and Otis joined us in the small seating area that Eric and I were in. Jurnee slept as each of the guys shared that they were financially ready to buy me out.
“Is there a problem with having me as an investor?” Maintaining my level tone was a practiced skill I was relieved I had. The ping of hurt made me look toward Jurnee to remind myself I wasn’t alone.
“There isn’t a problem.” Otis paused when the flight attendant entered to tell us we would land in thirty minutes. “Look, Anderson, we’ve all been friends forever. We don’t need to be tied together with businesses for us to remain close.”
I gave Jurnee a nudge. “Time to wake up. We’re landing in thirty minutes.”
“We aren’t saying that you have to sell. All we are saying is when you are ready, we are in a position to buy you out.” Bryan leaned back in the chair and looked at Otis.
“You know, if you wanted to have a clean start and invest in someone else’s dream.” Otis paused as Jurnee stood and headed back to the bathroom.
“Guys, I don’t want to hold on to your businesses if you want sole ownership. I just thought–”
Parents - Anderson, we need to see you at the Wilshire. Immediately.
“Bryan, why are my parents at the same hotel your engagement party is being thrown and where we all have rooms?” There was definitely a bite to my tone, and I didn’t particularly care.
“Because I’ve known your parents since I was eighteen, and we invited them to the party.”
“How did that not come up?” I tossed a wadded up cocktail napkin at him.
“Sorry.”
Jurnee returned to her seat, and I whispered, “My parents are going to be at the party, and they have requested that I stop in to see them when we land.”
“Your parents are in New York?”
“No, L.A.”
Confusion was written all over her face. “Your parents want you to fly to L.A.? Tonight?”
I kissed her sweetly. “Baby, we are landing in Los Angeles in five minutes. The party, Bryan’s engagement party, is in L.A..”
“We’re flying to L.A. to go to a party?” She looked out the window and gasped.
“Actually, we are in L.A., and thanks to you, we are here early so my future wife can relax.”
“Your parents are in L.A.?”
“His sisters too,” Bryan added as the wheels touched down on the ground.
“You invited my sisters?”
“What if they find out about us?” Panic hit Jurnee’s face as the events of the last week flashed between us.
Eric gathered his stuff, “Everyone knows about the two of you. Shit! You made People.”
“What?” The breath left her before the word was out as she smoothed her MSU sweatshirt down with her hands.
“Come on. Out you go. Now you get to experience the downside of being with me. Guys, are we ready?”
Otis glanced out the window. “Anderson, this is the last chance to take the back way out of here.”
“Front door. I’m not hiding any longer.”
Everyone did a final check of the order of go. Bryan would go first. It was his day, and he had new music dropping sooner than Otis’s movie. We all knew that one well-placed photo would keep the media floating his name around for a week. Jurnee and I would go next. Although I wasn’t from L.A., it wouldn’t take the rags long to identify me, which would lead them back to the story we planted about our relationship.
Jurnee agreed to get ready with Faith when we arrived at the hotel. She gave me a quick hug and wished me luck with my parents. Sadness washed over her when she turned to follow Faith, so I stopped her and told Faith she’d be right upstairs.
“Room 2537. Here, take the key.”
“Thank you.” Jurnee accepted the key with a forced smile.
“Listen, I know this is a lot.” She nodded, but her glance stayed down on the ground. “Our life won’t always be about parties in L.A. and my parents crashing a party.”
“Entire family.”
“Touché,” I leaned my forehead down onto hers, “I love you, and I can’t wait to see you in one of those fancy dresses. Will you dance with me?”
“No. I can’t dance.” She started to shake. “Your family doesn’t like me, and you’re just finding out that I can’t dance.”
“My family doesn’t know you, and I’ll take care of you out there.”
My text alert sounded. I knew who it was without looking. We both needed to get ready, and I needed to go handle my family. I watched the elevator doors begin to close.
“Save me a dance.”
“Don’t stand me up.” The fear on Jurnee’s face ripped a hole in my heart.
“Never!”
45
Jurnee
Faith suggested we down a glass of champagne before the glam squad arrived. She was kind and asked questions about me even though this was her day. Her background was like mine in that she was minding her own business one day when Bryan spotted her. Her life hadn’t been the same since. I liked her immediately.
One hour later, I was showered, waxed everywhere that could be waxed, and fluffed and buffed. The person staring back at me in the mirror looked stunning. The silver dress was shorter than anything I would have ever picked up for myself. The shoes were taller too. Together, I felt hotter than I had ever felt. A part of me knew I would need to get used to this glam squad treatment if I planned to be with Anderson.
A doorbell rang, and one of the glam squad members opened the door. Faith walked in, wearing a very short white dress. We smiled when our eyes met, and I knew at that moment we were going to be fast friends. Otis followed behind her, wearing a classic tuxedo.
Geez, this day was not going how I envisioned it when Derrick woke me up.
Otis placed his hand on Faith’s back and gestured for both of us to take a seat. “Excuse me. Can I have the room?”
Never have I watched a room clear out like this one. Rats off a sinking ship weren’t as fast as the people smiling and nodding were in their departure. The three of us were alone.
“Ladies, you both look beautiful.” Otis picked up a bottle of champagne and offered it to us.
Faith grabbed two relatively clean glasses, and we watched her shake as she poured. Otis retrieved the bottle and filled our glasses.
“Faith, you are minutes away from leaving your old world behind to marry one of my v
ery best friends. I can tell you without a second of doubt that he loves you completely.” Faith radiated pure happiness.
When Otis looked at me, I swallowed. “And you. You came crashing into Anderson’s life so unexpectedly, but you turned out to be what he was missing. You jump-started his life while lightening his heart. Thank you for that.”
He checked his watch and continued, “Once we head out of this room, we get into a car that will drive us to the other side of the hotel for the party. I will get out first and assist Faith, before handing you over to Bryan. While I assist Jurnee out of the car, you and Bryan will stroll over to the side and be photographed.”
“What if there aren’t any photographers?” Faith’s voice was shaky but stiffened by the end of her question.
“Tonight, both of your lives will change. There will be press from now on. Our group has worked tirelessly to stay under the radar.”
“The sex pad.” Faith and I said in unison, garnishing another common point between us.
“Why are you taking us over there? I mean, why aren’t Anderson and Bryan here to escort us?” I asked as I reach to play in my hair, but stopped when I felt the copious amount of hair spray.
Faith nodded at my questions, and we looked to Otis for an explanation. “I asked to escort you. One, my presence will up the ante.. But more important than the business side of this, these guys are my family. This is the moment to welcome you into our very public world.”
He took Faith’s hand, “You aren’t just marrying Bryan. You are getting all of us guys in the deal. I will be there to help whenever you need me.”
“Thank you, Otis. You have been kind to me since the first time Bryan introduced us.”
I sat there as one of the biggest box-office movie stars squatted in front of someone I just met a few hours ago, holding hands like we were the best of friends. Well, more like we were being thrown into something we would need each other to navigate. There was no way to have predicted how this day would end—shit, who knows what I’ll experience before my head hits the pillow.
“Jurnee,” They were both looking at me when my thoughts returned to the conversation. “Today, Anderson announced that he loves you. He did it in front of the world, but I’ve known for a while that you were the one. I love you for that, and I will be here to help in any way possible.”
We all hugged. Otis reached inside his left suit pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. Handing it to Faith, we watched as she opened the lid to reveal a pair of diamond earrings with a small note. “Wear these if you’ll be mine.”
Giggling, Faith quickly exchanged the earrings she was wearing with the ones that had been delivered. Otis handed me another note and watched me open it. It read: don’t stand me up.
[***]
The flashes began when the driver opened the limo door, but exploded when Otis stepped out. Shouts from photographers to look this way and that rang into the back seat where Faith and I sat holding hands.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m happy to be here for your party. Thank you.” I tugged at my short dress.
“This is way more than I was expecting.”
Otis leaned into the car and flashed us a huge smile. “Your men are waiting for you. Ready?”
We nodded. Faith squeezed my fingers before accepting Otis’ extended hand. The people outside went nuts moments after she left the car. “Your turn, kiddo. Ready for this?”
“As ready as I’m going to get.”
Otis stepped back, giving me room to step out. My mind stilled, and the sights and sounds muted when I caught the first glimpse of Anderson. I’d seen him in tailored suits, perfectly fitting jeans and a t-shirt, even basketball shorts, but Anderson standing there in a tuxedo? Priceless. There was no way I was going to be able to wipe this smile off my face.
Anderson’s swagger was undeniable, and his charm indisputable. His stare penetrated me to my core. My body vibrated like a magnet getting closer to a small defenseless paperclip.
“You look stunning.”
“You bought me the dress.”
“Oh baby, you make the dress.” Anderson offered me his hand, which I accepted without a thought.
Anderson placed his mouth to my ear, “Ask me again.”
“Ask you what?”
“For my two truths…” I turned to face him. He pulled me against his body. “Ask?”
“Anderson, what are your two truths?”
“To never let you out of my bed and always bring you morning coffee.”
My hands slid around him and rested almost on the small of his back. Anderson’s hands were spread out on the lowest part of my back. We stood staring at one another until Otis, and Bryan and Faith joined us. At the top of the steps, Eric stood smiling down at all of us as we ascended the steps together.
We entered the great hall to thunderous applause. Party organizers whisked Faith and Bryan away to meet and greet their guests. Otis and Eric made their way to the bar for cocktails and a birdseye view of the single female guests. The classical piano that played in the background faded, and a familiar piano intro started.
“When the rain is blowing in your face and the whole world is on your case,” Anderson sang with the band into my ear as he walked us back onto the dance floor. We swayed to the music alone in each other’s arms. Neither of us aware we were in a huge room with hundreds of people.
“To make you feel my love.” The final words of Garth Brooks’ song felt like a promise, and I was ready to make the same one to him. I had no idea where this would lead, but there was nowhere else I wanted to be. There was definitely no other person I wanted to share my experience with than the man holding me tightly, ensuring that I didn’t miss a beat.
“I love you.”
Anderson pulled away so we could look at each other. “Well, you took your time telling me, so say it again.”
“Anderson Matthew Douglas, I love you with all of me.”
“Jurnee Joplin Messer, I love you too, and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store for us.”
Epilogue
Jurnee
“Jurnee, we’re pulling up.” Markus announced over his left shoulder.
I beat the keys of my iPad, trying to wrap up the last task on my to-do before our weekend in Michigan. “Can we go around the block once? I am four minutes from having everything done before vaca–”
“We’re already late.”
The second part of my security detail stopped the car. A late afternoon rainstorm made the sign on the door hard to read, but I knew we were in front of Pastis. “Thanks, Markus.”
Anderson made the executive decision that I would have a security detail shortly after Bryan and Faith’s engagement party. Both Anderson and his father agreed Markus be re-assigned to me. It was a battle that Anderson said I should not have because he would win. The press coverage had exceeded the hopes of both Bryan’s and Otis’s public relations teams. Anderson was not going to take any chances with my safety.
The door opened, and I climbed out to Markus, holding an open umbrella. “Thank you. Are you guys coming in? Dinner is on me.”
“Actually, Martin just texted and your new Birkin has arrived. Anderson wants it picked up today.” Markus chuckled as I rolled my eyes.
The fact that I was dating a billionaire was sometimes lost on me, then he would do something idiotic yet lovable like buying me something ridiculously expensive. Markus had witnessed many of my meltdowns over the last year over the money Anderson spent on me. It was him who finally told me just to go with it as it was going to happen anyway.
“Go.” I grabbed the umbrella. “He’s here. I’m safe.”
He nodded. I walked toward the door, knowing he would not move until I was inside, and Anderson’s security team had me in their sight. Once inside, I closed the umbrella and handed it to the newest member of Anderson’s security team. “Thank you. Is he in a good mood?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
I paused before heading to the table to join my boyfriend. He was focused on his phone and unaware I had arrived. The blue suit he wore matched perfectly with the blue dress I was wearing. I didn’t know how he always matched my outfits as I left every morning while he was still in the pool.
Anderson looked up and smiled when our gazes locked. He stood as I reached the table and gave me a quick kiss. How did I get so lucky?
The waiter placed a cocktail on the table as I sat, “Grapefruit Moscow Mule.”
“Thank you. Sorry, I’m late.” I slipped out of my trench coat and took a sip. “Yum. I needed this.”
“How close are you to being ready with the new store?” Anderson asked as he picked up his cocktail.
I crossed my arms over my chest, “Well, I’m nervous.”
“Why? You’ve opened five. Successfully, I might add.”
Nodding, I took a gulp of my drink. “This one is for Soraya, though.”
“I wouldn’t say this coffee shop is for Soraya.” Anderson countered as he squirmed in his seat.
“Okay. I would say it is for Soraya, as it’s going to be the one she works out of, and it’s right by her house. Graham wants to purchase this building as a present–”
“How about we stop talking about work? We are officially on vacation.” Anderson interrupted.
“Um. Okay. What would you rather talk about?” I raised my hand to have him wait. “Fair warning, I have a few hours of work to do before I can officially put everything down for the week.”
He rolled his eyes, making me laugh. The last year had taught me that I was a bit of a workaholic when I was passionate about my job. This worked well as Anderson had finally left Morgan Financial Holdings to open his own company. He was as much a workaholic as me.
“What?”
The look on Anderson’s face threw me. It was a mixture of nervousness and excitement. We had taken several weekend trips together, but this was going to be our first real vacation. Taking this vacation had taken some convincing on Anderson’s part, as I didn’t want to be away for two weeks during this phase of the new store opening.
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