Chapter 25
Twenty-Five
Whitney checked herself one last time in the mirror. Her phone pinged.
WILLIAM: Quick update. They asked for a late checkout when we got back last night. You’re golden. Be yourself. Love you and good luck, sis.
WHITNEY: Love you too.
She hugged her phone, appreciative of his sweet attempt to support a lousy situation. She went downstairs and waited for her ride.
When Whitney arrived at the television station that morning, a woman named Sheri escorted Whitney to the office of Daniel Burgess, the anchor friend Matthew had called.
“Daniel thought you’d be more comfortable waiting in here,” Sheri explained. “The other guests are in the green room. There’s water and coffee over on the table. Can I get you anything else?”
“No. I’m fine,” Whitney assured her. She took out the bottle of water she’d tucked into her purse and opened it to take a sip.
Sheri clicked on the television monitors in Daniel’s office. “You can see the live show from in here. I’ll get you just before we go on. All set?”
“You bet.” She flashed Sheri a confident smile.
Whitney walked around the office, noticing that there was one of Matthew’s paintings on the wall, and a photograph of a much younger Matthew with the popular anchor among a collage of photographs with celebrities.
Whitney paced, glancing at the monitor and rechecking her hair in the mirror.
The door clicked as it opened, and a chord of excitement coursed through her. I’m ready. I can do this.
“Hey. Is it okay if I come in?” It wasn’t Sheri’s voice. She turned to see that it was Matthew. Dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt, he looked like he hadn’t slept well. She knew the feeling.
“Matthew? You came. How did you know I decided to be on the show?”
“I think I kind of knew all along that you would, but I called Daniel and asked.”
“He told you they moved the segment to the morning show instead of noon?”
“Yeah. I’m here for you, Whitney. I don’t know what the story is with Roger, but I know how I feel when I’m with you. I want to work through this. To give it a try.”
“I do too. More than anything. Roger and I were a convenient way to get through work events. It was never anything more, and there has never been anyone who made me feel like you do. I really don’t want to lose what we’ve started.”
“I’ll be right there on the sidelines with you every step of the way, sending you all the positive vibes you want or need. Today and as long as you’ll let me.”
Her hopes hung in her voice. “That means so much to me.”
“You can count on me,” he said.
“I promise you can count on me too. You’re too good to be true.”
“Funny you should say that, the too good part,” Matthew shared, “because I was talking to Skip last night and he said the same thing about you. He also said I should never let you go.”
He was talking about me to his best friend.“I can’t wait to meet him.”
“I don’t know what brought us together, except of course, for me to save your life from being impaled by the rudderless umbrella that dark and stormy night. I am so grateful, though, for whatever it is, and for however long it lasts.”
“I hope it’s not just for a season.”
“No way.”
She stepped into Matthew’s arms, feeling safe in his strong embrace.
“You feel good,” he whispered into her hair.
“You do too.” She enjoyed the embrace. It had a calming effect on her. “I needed that.”
She released him from the hug when Sheri walked in the door. “You’ll be on in about ten. So grab a water or use the restroom. It’s right across the hall. I’ll be back to get you shortly.”
“I’m ready.” Whitney swept her fingers under her eyes and sniffled back at the emotion that had allowed a few tears to fall. Thankful tears.
Whitney shook her hands, trying to get the nerves out. It wasn’t helping. All that happened was now her palms were sweaty. She stood against the wall, closed her eyes, and did a couple long, deep breaths.
“You’ve got this,” he said.
She opened her eyes just as the anchors mentioned social media on the television monitor. “Look.” Whitney pointed to the television.
Matthew grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.
Daniel and his co-anchor, Cindy, teased the next segment, then the commercials flowed. The other monitor showed what was happening on set.
On the big, arched couch, Kally Shore sat in the middle, all grins and confidence with a copy of her book in hand. Brooke sat on her left, and two other women giggled as the men mic’d them up and they took their places on the other side of Kally.
Whitney’s confidence wavered, however, as she watched the girls settle in, and she felt suddenly unprepared. On the monitor, she could hear them talking and laughing. They truly thought this was all fun and games.
But something interrupted that thought. It was that little voice inside her. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was so worried about disappointing her dad, it probably would seem fun and romantic to her too.
Perspective. It’s time I get my priorities straightened out.
The interview started. Whitney couldn’t take her eyes off the screen. She clung to every word when Sheri came to retrieve her. “It’s time.”
“You can come along, too, Matthew.” Sheri was tiny, but she moved with intent and purpose. They followed behind her as she led them down the hall, through doors and inside the actual room where they were filming.
She whispered, “Whitney, I’m going to have you stand on the X right over there on the right. They’ll mic you up, and then when they give you the countdown, three, two, one, you will walk across the set and take the chair between Cindy and Daniel.”
“Got it.”
Sheri walked Matthew across the way. “I need you to stand right here.” She zipped her lip. “Perfectly quiet and no rustling.”
He took his spot over behind the control board guy and gave Whitney a thumbs-up once the mic guy stepped out of the way.
Whitney swallowed hard and gathered every bit of her professional grace, ready for whatever was to come. “Thank you for being here,” she mouthed.
He patted his heart twice, and smiled.