Chapter 14 Full Court Press #4
Greg shifted in place, alone and no longer in the scrutiny of the paparazzi.
He looked at both women who were there competing for his heart, standing side by side as if they weren’t enemies in love—rather partners in a working relationship.
‘They are both unique,’ he thought gazing at them from his safe distance.
‘Yet they are both so similar. Carry looks like she belongs in this world now,’ pushed into the forefront of his mind, bringing a smile to his face.
He was so lost in thought that he had stopped listening to what they were saying so it nearly shocked him when both Carry and Veronica motioned for him to come join them.
He shook his head lightly at first but they persisted.
“Greg, please come join us!” Carry said so pleasantly that he found himself moving in their direction against his own will.
Carry guided him between herself and Veronica as they posed for another picture, then the girls moved into flank position with Katie crouching in front of Greg while Wendy was beside Veronica and Cassie was beside Carry.
He smiled broadly as the pictures continued.
“Thank you all for coming to join us for this reveal of Veronique, and the man who’s made this dream my reality,” Veronica said and kissed Greg on the cheek.
“And thanks to Pimico for the opportunity I had to fill in as Greg’s PA, which led to becoming the Face of Veronique,” Carry added brightly.
“On behalf of myself, Miss Vanilla Rose, Miss Lavender Lilacs, Miss Cherry Blossoms and Miss Orange Blossoms, we thank Veronica LaFayette for the opportunity to represent this unique line of perfumes. Remember—IF you want to smell like you’ve come from a French Boutique, just choose your scent and put on some Veronique! ”
“That’s all for tonight,” Veronica announced. “We’ll be having another event tomorrow at lunch, followed by the skyline photo shoot before the concert.”
“Thank you folks for attending,” James Emory said formally as he stepped out in front of the group.
“We’ve got a business meeting to attend to at this time.
If you wish to interview Veronica or the girls, you may contact me to arrange that time,” he said handing a small box of business cards to the closest reporter.
“Pass those around. We’ll see you tomorrow at the photo shoot or the concert.
Good evening.” James turned with both arms extended wide, ushering the group back toward the building entrance where David and Tessa were now waiting for them.
“You all performed marvelously,” James said with a big smile.
“Wendy, that tag line looks like it landed perfectly. The media was eating it up like candy. Good job young lady.”
“Thanks, James. It means a lot to me to hear you praising my efforts,” Wendy replied with a huge smile on her face as they got near the doors.
“Well, now,” Tessa began. “Looks like you survived the situation, brother. Though it looks like you might be Daniel in the Lion’s Den after all,” she added lightheartedly. It brought a laugh to the group.
“You always did love that story,” Greg retorted. “I had plenty of help surviving,” he said gesturing to the group. “I can’t believe that you ladies go through this kind of attention all the time.”
“Welcome to our world, Greg,” Veronica said, placing her hands around his neck then pulling him in for another kiss, just in sight of the media. Flashes went off from cameras, and from Carry’s eyes.
“Shall we move this party inside?” David quickly interjected. “We’ve yet to check in, and I promised my lovely bride that we wouldn’t be late for our reservations.”
The group moved forward into the hotel, through the lounge area to the counter.
David and Tessa checked in for their room while Greg checked in for his, with Veronica right beside him.
James ushered the girls toward the elevators where Billy and Aarie were eagerly awaiting.
Aarie perked up immediately and quickly began to move toward Wendy.
Billy was leaned back against the wall with his big black Stetson hat tilted low as if to hide his face, but seeing the movement of Aarie he lifted his head quickly, scanning in the direction that Aarie had gone.
He was smiling at first until he saw the look on Carry’s face.
His smile froze, then broke, and he could sense something went wrong.
He moved quickly to join the group. “Carry?”
“I’m okay Billy,” she assured him softly. “Let’s speak upstairs.”
“Absolutely, ma’am,” Billy replied. “Was it at least successful?”
“Very successful!” Wendy boldly replied. “You were right, babe,” she said looking at Aarie. “It might have sounded cheesy at first, but it strikes hard and true. They ate it up.”
“I told you that was a good advertising line you came up with, honey,” Aarie replied.
“You didn’t get your degree in marketing for nothing.
I’ve got some Guiness waiting for us, and if you don’t want that,” he quickly pivoted seeing the disapproval on her face, “I’ve also got some champagne ready too. ”
“Now, that’s my baby for you, girls!” Wendy bragged then grabbed Aarie and kissed him deeply. “That’s why I love you so much!”
“Alright you love birds,” James called. “Break it up and let’s get on these elevators. We’ve still got to review how the launch went. I’ve got some notes on what I saw and the media observations I heard as you moved out. We need to refine our movements.”
“You really know how to kill a mood,” Cassie complained as they stepped into the elevator. “Can’t we just enjoy our success for a moment.”
“Upstairs with the champagne, of course,” James replied.
“But we can still improve. This launch means everything to both Veronica and to myself. We’ve put millions into developing and starting Veronique.
Everything must go off without a hitch. One false move and Veronique falls flat on its face before it gets going. ”
Billy looked once more toward Carry before they stepped inside the car, moving to the back.
He moved beside her as the elevator doors closed.
Whatever had happened downstairs with Greg and Veronica, he knew immediately it hadn’t ended out on the red carpet.
He gently slid his left arm around Carry’s back, up her left arm to her shoulder then pulled her against him in a side hug.
Carry turned and smiled with her eyes, then blinked as if to stop from crying before she lost it.
Cassie noticed the two in the corner but remained silent as the elevator climbed.
The launch had succeeded perfectly but somehow it made the situation with Greg even more dangerous.
They arrived on the sixth floor then piled out of the elevator and went to James’ suite for the debriefing and celebration.
Meanwhile, up on the eighth floor, David and Tessa were opening the door to their suite. David picked up Tessa and carried her through the door. “David!” Tessa exclaimed. “You only had to carry me across the threshold at home, not everywhere,” she said giddily.
“With you, my love,” he said proudly, “everywhere we go becomes our home and I’ll carry you across that threshold the first time we enter to establish it as our home away from home,” he said setting her gently down.
He kissed her deeply, then turned to grab the bags and bring them into the room.
“I love you with my whole heart, and I’m not ever going to let you forget that. ”
“Speaking about whole hearts,” she said, shifting the conversation immediately. “Greg’s not dealing with a whole heart right now. He’s as torn as I’ve ever seen him.”
“Worse. He looks like that first week after Prom. I wasn’t sure we’d get past that point where he could truly step back out on the court with me and the guys. He was so lost then.”
“But he recovered and you won the State Championship!” she declared.
“Can he recover from this though?” David asked. “Erica did a number on him over the years, then she had the audacity to almost entice him back into bed with her.”
“And did you see how Veronica manipulated the entire situation. She managed Greg like he manages accounts. Seamless, fluid—effortless even. And that kiss just before the girls came out?!”
“That was something I wouldn’t have expected given the press coverage,” David observed. “But I think it was genuine. She just might love him more than I ever thought was possible. I just don’t know her well enough to know if she’s going to be good for him or not.”
“She’s a wonderful woman in her own right,” Tessa observed. “She’s bold and confident. Maybe he needs that. Carry was always lacking self confidence even when she was staying with us while Greg was convalescing at home.”
“She didn’t appear to lack self confidence tonight,” David fired back.
“When it comes to work ethic, that girl is top notch. That’s why I hired her to fill in for Janet.
” Tessa tossed him a look while she was unpacking her bag.
“That and her looks. I knew Greg needed the distraction after Erica left him that last time. He was about to drink himself to death.”
“And it worked,” she reluctantly admitted. “Just one question, honey. If you had known Veronica LaFayette was about to sweep into his life, would you still have hired Carry?”
“Absolutely!” he said, unshaken at first. “She proved herself multiple times at Pimico!” he said, justifying his decision.
“Wasn’t there anyone else that could have done the job effectively enough?”