Taming The CEO: An enemies-to-lovers romance (The Whitley Brothers)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Cami

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Even though two weeks was quite a long time, I decided not to check other places while waiting for Bill to return. Essex was small, and I didn”t want to waste people”s time by asking them to show me around, since my heart was set on Bill”s place. And besides, I had my hands full. The weather improved, and we were solidly booked, which was amazing for this time of year. I was honestly so busy that I barely had time to check my phone. But I kept it on me because Maddox was checking in from time to time, and I didn’t want to miss him.

Most days, I only had time to do it during my lunch break, such as today.

I was giddy when I saw a message from him.

Maddox: How are you doing?

Cami: Scarfing down my lunch. This week we’re so busy, you wouldn”t believe it. I was in the mood for some of Ms. Walker’s specialty drink, and I didn”t even have time to buy it. How’s your day?

Maddox: Gabe and I hit the ground running with the contract.

This is really happening! Not only was I on board with it, but I was looking forward to it.

I contemplated actually telling him my new business idea, but I wanted to see the space first and let it marinate in my mind some more.

Cami: That’s great!

Cami: Damn, my next group is already here.

Maddox: Go kick ass.

And ass I kicked. At three o”clock, I went back inside, yawning. I was ready for my afternoon coffee. To my astonishment, Miriam was here.

”Hey, girl,” I said. ”Did you mention you were coming and I forgot?”

She smiled, handing me a take-out bag from Ms. Hendricks. ”No, I come with gifts.”

”Want to go into the back?”

“Sure.”

“How did you read my mind?” I asked once we were in the back. ”I was so craving something from Ms. Hendricks.”

“That’s a funny story. I went there for my daily stop, and she asked me if I was going to see you today, because Maddox Whitley put in an order for you.”

I stopped in the act of opening my bag. ”Wait, are you serious?”

”I couldn”t even make this up.”

I smiled sheepishly as I bit into my croissant. Oh yeah, it was filled with custard cream. Ms. Hendricks had done well—and so had Maddox.

When I opened my eyes, Miriam was looking at me pointedly. “I haven”t seen you this happy in some time.”

“I don”t even think I”ve ever been this happy.”

“So, I don”t want to be a busybody or anything, but when am I going to meet Maddox?

I licked my lips. “I”m not sure. But he”s coming to Essex from time to time, so I”m sure there will be an opportunity sooner rather than later.”

She sighed dramatically, then rolled her eyes. “Sooner, please.”

“Okay, I promise.”

”Oh, and by the way,” she said excitedly, ”I heard Maddox put in an order to be delivered for you every single day.” Suddenly looking worried, Miram continued, “Oh crap. I don”t think you were supposed to know that.”

I laughed. “Yeah, I don’t think I was either.”

“Me and my big mouth. But you love me anyway, don”t you?”

I smiled. “You know I do.”

“Ms. Hendricks will send her delivery boy daily.” She checked the time. “Oh crap, I need to get going already. We never get to gossip properly anymore.”

“You”re always welcome at my house.”

“And risk being a cockblocker? Hell no.”

”Miriam,” I said, my cheeks heating for no reason, ”I”ll give you a heads-up.”

“But judging by how Maddox operates, you might not have time. What if he surprises you?”

“We’ll manage.”

After she left, I immediately texted him.

Cami: Miriam brought me the goodies. Thank you so much.

Maddox: Miriam? I thought they had a delivery service.

Cami: They do, but Miriam was there. One thing led to another and so on.

He called me, and I immediately answered.

”I don”t have much time,” I said instead of hello, just so he knew. “I”ve got my next group in five minutes.”

“You really don’t get longer breaks, huh?”

“Honestly, I’m not complaining. Especially since I’ve had such a delightful surprise. Thank you. When are you coming to Essex next?”

“Hard to say. The construction crew started up again, but I”m swamped at work. I won’t make it this week. Maybe the next.”

I couldn”t believe how disappointed I felt at that. “Maybe?”

“Sounds like you want me there.” I could hear the grin in his voice.

I licked my lips. Why not admit it? Sure, what we had was laid-back and casual, but I wanted to be honest with him. ”I kind of do.”

“Honestly, it”s not realistic, but I”ll try my best. Between work and drafting up the contract, things are crazy.”

Now I was starting to have nutty ideas.

What if I go to Boston and take care of him?

Hell no, that was a bit much. Definitely not casual dating sort of behavior.

“And by the way, I think Diane might come to the park to check out the place,” he said.

”How come?”

”She wants to see about offering guided tours outside the city. She”s already got Salem on her list but wants to expand her horizons.”

”Give her my contact info, and she can message me.”

”All right. Let me know if... it gets to be too much.”

I was confused. ”Why would it be too much?” I ask.

“Because some other family members said they’d drop by, too, once they heard her idea.”

I started laughing. “They”re welcome. I enjoyed spending time with them. I”d love to see them.”

I heard my name being called from the front.

”Crap, I think the group arrived early. Let me know if you do decide to come by Essex, okay?”

”I sure will.”

**

Unfortunately, he didn”t. On Friday morning, to my astonishment, I realized I had Maddox withdrawal. How was that even a thing? I”d never experienced it before with anyone else.

On Friday afternoon, Diane finally texted me.

Diane: Hey, I”m going to drop by the park tomorrow, if that”s okay with you. I know you already planned to sell, but I figured I could send some tourists your way until that happens.

I swear to God, my eyes watered. I truly couldn”t believe she was offering to send business my way. Who did that?

Cami: Sure, you”re welcome at any time. I only have small groups booked tomorrow, so there’s space for a few more whenever you decide to come.

On Saturday morning, Diane texted me at ten o”clock while I was with a group of five at one of the zip lines.

Diane: We”re on our way. Your dad already told us where you are.

My stomach somersaulted, and my heart was about to explode.

We? Maddox is with her too? Oh, sneaky.

He hadn”t told me anything. And I was going to make him pay for it.

But it turned out it wasn”t Maddox after all.

As my existing group went down the zip line, I focused on the Whitleys. Diane had come with Leo and Nick as well as Spencer and Penny. Ben was sleeping peacefully in Spencer”s arms. Only Nick, Leo, and Diane had gear on.

”Hey, everyone,” I greeted. ”I wasn”t expecting—”

”Any of us?” Leo asked.

”Maddox said Diane wasn’t coming alone, but I figured—”

”That maybe just one of us would tag along,” Nick added, playing right off me.

”Something like that,” I admitted.

”One thing you have to learn about us is that we do a lot of things as a group.”

”We”re easily influenced,” Leo said. ”One of us says something and suddenly everyone decides it”s a good idea.”

Diane laughed. ”Guys, don”t overwhelm Cami right away.”

”I can keep up,” I said, although I wasn’t quite certain about that. Growing up as an only child didn”t prepare me for the dynamics of such a huge family.

”Ever since Maddox and Gabe set their eyes on Essex, it started to give me ideas too,” Leo said.

”And now he’s corrupted me,” Diane added. ”I took a tour of the town. It”s lovely.”

I looked at Nick. ”And you want to open a fitness branch here?”

”Oh no. I just tagged along because it seemed like a cool thing to do on a Saturday. And I’m looking forward to trying the zip line.”

”Sure,” I said with a nod.

Spencer kissed Ben”s head and told me, ”Penny and I are actually staying at the Gris.”

”It really is lovely,” Penny added.

”I’d love to give you a tour of the town myself, but we’re crazy busy today and tomorrow. How come Gabe didn”t join you?” I asked as I looked into the distance for my group. I didn”t see them yet. The zip line was long, leading all the way to the gate of the park, so walking back always took some time.

”They”re cooped up with the architect and the lawyers, drawing up the papers,” Spencer said.

”Oh.”

I didn”t realize the architect had been involved, too, but then again, I didn”t have a ton of experience with contracts.

Ben started fussing.

”I”ll take him,” Penny said, kissing his head as Spencer transferred him to her arms.

”The little guy is so adorable,” I said.

He began wailing louder.

Penny grimaced. ”Okay, and that”s our cue that he wants to leave.” She glanced at Spencer. “Should we go back to the hotel?”

He nodded. “Sorry to cut this short, Cami. It was great seeing you again.”

”Yeah, and you,” I said.

Once they left, Diane sighed. ”You know, Jeannie”s abilities will never cease to amaze me.”

”What do you mean?” I asked.

Nick and Leo groaned in unison. I frowned, looking from one to the other.

”Let”s not talk about Gran”s skills, okay?” Leo said.

Diane laughed. ”Why? She”s not even here.”

”No, but maybe she can sense you declaring how right she is all the time,” Nick replied.

I frowned. ”I feel like I”m missing something.”

Nick stared at me. ”It”s common knowledge in the family that Gran wants to matchmake all of us.”

”Oh, that”s right. Maddox did tell me about it,” I said as we all walked up the ladder to the zip line.

”You and Maddox better keep her entertained,” Leo said seriously once we were on the platform, ”because Nick and I do not want her on our case.”

I ran a hand through my hair. ”I don”t even know your gran very well, but I have a feeling she only does what she wants. You can”t distract her.”

Diane started to laugh. ”I completely agree with you.” She turned to face the guys. ”All of your brothers put up a fight, yet they fell hook, line, and sinker. I don”t know why you”re even trying.”

”We”re not just trying,” Leo said.

”We”re going to succeed,” Nick added.

I looked at Diane. ”Are they always so sure of themselves?”

”Always,” she emphasized. ”And Gabe is too.”

”That goes for Maddox, too, in case you were wondering,” Leo said.

”Oh, I wasn”t. I realized that from the second I met him. Although, I wasn”t very impressed by that particular quality in the beginning.” I grinned.

”Ha, see!” Leo exclaimed triumphantly. ”That means Gran wasn”t right. You didn”t actually like him from the get-go.”

”I think your gran works in a more subtle manner,” Diane said as if they were debating current news or something. ”She always thinks long term, not just about the first meeting. Anyway, I think she”s had a hunch from the second Maddox told us about you.”

”What exactly did he say?” I asked, now interested in earnest.

”Basically that you roasted his ass,” Nick informed me as he tied himself to the zip line.

”And Gran found that amazing,” Leo said.

Diane grinned at me. ”I think she figured he needed someone to challenge him. And if she asks, I’ll tell her that my honest opinion is that you two need the same.”

”Wait, Gran has convos about this with the rest of the family?” Nick exclaimed.

Leo seemed too stunned to speak.

”No,” Diane said. ”But, you know, just in case she asks, I”m going to be ready with an answer.”

Leo stared at her for a beat, then patted Nick”s shoulder. ”Right, we need to bribe the girls better to be on our side.”

Diane and I burst out laughing. This conversation was bizarre, but in the best way possible.

”Yes, you do that,” Diane said.

Leo cocked a brow.

”You were riling us up on purpose? Well, damn, I”m impressed,” Nick said.

”So am I,” I confessed.

”All right, I”ll go first,” Nick declared.

He didn”t need much help. Then again, the zip line was one of our most self-explanatory activities. Once he was gone, Leo went next.

As Diane took her position, she said, ”You know, I wasn”t totally kidding. But I do think it”s best for these two to think I was. They don”t seem to be ready for the truth.”

”I quite agree.”

”The guys think Jeannie is the only one who has feelings about these things. But from the first time Maddox told us about you, I”ve had an inkling that you were right for him too.”

On that mysterious note, she went down the zip line.

Oh, be still my beating heart.They were all talking as if Maddox and I were meant for each other. But we were just having fun, and I didn”t want to think beyond that. I was going through so many changes, what with selling the park and deciding what to do next.

But still, being with the Whitleys was filling me with an infectious energy.

The rest of my group returned soon after, demanding to go once more. They needed a more hands-on approach than the Whitleys because three of the members were underage, and I didn’t allow them to secure themselves but rather did it for them. By the time the last person went down the line, the Whitleys came up again.

“This is great,” Nick said. “I don’t know why you call this a park. It’s a forest.”

”Oh, by the way,” Leo said lazily as they approached. ”We forgot to tell you. Our brother sent you a package.”

“Oh, what is it? You brought it?” I asked.

“No, he sent it with a messenger,” Leo explained. “Which makes me wonder... What could he have possibly sent you that he couldn”t entrust to us? But we saw the delivery guy when we arrived.”

“So you don’t know what it is?” I double-checked.

“No.” Nick laughed. “But we’re under strict instructions to report if you got it.”

”Um, you know what? I”m going to go check my reservations.”

The three of them burst out laughing, knowing exactly what I was doing.

”You couldn”t even wait long enough to come up with a good excuse, huh?” Diane laughed.

”Do you mind waiting here for a few minutes while I go check?” I asked.

”We can just go down by ourselves,” Nick said.

”No, that”s a liability issue. You can”t do that.” I bit the inside of my cheek. ”I”ll stay here until you’re farther down the line and I can’t see you anymore. Then we’ll meet at the end of the line.”

”You know, we could not tell Maddox about it,” Leo said, looking at Nick.

”Tell him what?” I inquired.

”How eager you sound,” Leo replied.

”Yeah, you”re right. It might go to his head,” Nick added.

I couldn”t help but laugh. ”Hmmm... but he does deserve it.”

“We still don’t want it to go to his head,” Nick said. “All right, let’s go down. Meet you at the main building? Or is the other group coming back up?”

“No, they’re done. I’ll meet you inside,” I said.

This time Diane went first, followed by Nick and then Leo.

I had exactly fifteen minutes before my next group arrived. That gave me plenty of time.

I walked leisurely on the trail even though I did want to break into a run. That might be a bit too obvious. I was going to be there before them anyway.

I quickened my pace during the last few feet and then darted into a run up the front steps. Dad was manning the counter. He winked at me, throwing his thumb over his shoulder to the back room.

”You’ve got a delivery. I put it in the back.”

”Thank you.” I tried to act as neutral as possible. I felt like a teenager, sneaking around Dad.

Heading to the back, I saw a big blue bag on our small coffee table. The box inside was nondescript—like any Amazon delivery. I quickly ripped it open. There was an elegant box inside, tied with a bow. It was impossible to peek inside. At first, I tried to undo the bow to keep it intact, but then I ran out of patience, so I just tore it off and glanced inside the box.

Holy shit.

Maddox had sent me lingerie.

My face heated all the way to my ears.

There was a note inside too. Handwritten.

I can”t wait for you to wear this for me.

My chest filled with joy—and relief. I realized that up to this moment, I”d had a small fear that maybe Maddox wasn’t just too busy to come, but that he wasn”t interested anymore. Well, clearly that wasn”t the case.

I put everything back in its place. I couldn”t seal it again, but I knew for a fact that no one was going to snoop.

My cheeks were still hot as I headed back to the front. I tried to school my features as I went past Dad, but once I stepped onto the front porch and saw the Whitleys perched there, my face exploded into a grin.

”Maddox did well, didn”t he?” Nick asked.

I nodded. ”Very well.”

Leo groaned. “Damn. Maybe he does deserve to know.”

”It was nice seeing you. Thanks for having us,” Diane said. ”This place is great. I’ll definitely recommend it to my tourists while it”s still open.”

”Thank you, Diane,” I said wholeheartedly.

They all gushed over the park and how great a time they”d had, then headed out.

After they left, I glanced at the clock. I still had five minutes before my next group, and I planned to go look at my amazing lingerie once again.