Chapter Nine
NATALIE
"Oh, darling. That’s wonderful news. We should celebrate. Is your grandfather sleeping?"
Jake was frowning. This was not an easy decision for him. Being CEO for both companies would be super difficult, I was sure of that.
"Yes. Let's not bother him. We can throw a party another time." His voice was completely flat, like he didn't think this was a reason to celebrate.
"Your brothers are on the way, so, at any rate, the six of us can celebrate that your grandfather is home...and your decision, if you want." She glanced at me. "Well, the seven of us."
"I'm going to be out of your hair."
I didn't want to intrude, especially if the other Whitley brothers were coming. I'd done my job, and it seemed like this was exactly what Jeannie needed to feel better—to know Jake was going to take over the business, no matter if he only did so grudgingly.
"Nonsense. The more the merrier."
Jake came close to me. "Natalie, my offer still stands. I don't intend to stay here long. I'll drive you home and then go to a hotel."
"Are you sure I’m not in anyone's way?"
He didn't get a chance to answer because the doorbell rang.
"That will be them," Jeannie chanted, obviously thrilled to have her whole family together.
Jake frowned. "What did you do, call them as soon as I told you I was coming to Boston?"
"Exactly. I figured you’d be more at ease if you knew all of us were taking care of your grandfather. But if you’re not too busy, we could clink a glass of champagne."
“I am very busy, but I guess we all could use a celebration after this scare. I’ll need to rearrange a lot of things for my temporary move to Boston.”
The doorbell rang, and Jeannie opened the door. Four of the handsomest men I'd seen in my whole life walked in.
What is it with the genes in this family?
I inspected each one of them. They could all easily be models, and the eyes seemed to be a signature of the family.
Their hair color varied from shades of dark brown to dark blonde.
One of them, who seemed vaguely familiar, had darker hair.
In an instant, a flash of recognition passed through my mind.
Gabe Whitley. He’d appeared in a commercial promoting his craft distillery.
I remembered it distinctly because it was strange for a businessman to appear in his own commercials.
"Overwhelmed already?" Jake asked.
"Yeah, by the absolutely stunningly handsome genes in your family."
I realized I'd said it out loud only when I saw his expression change. I thought he'd tease me about it or just plain laugh at me. Instead, he seemed bothered. Why, because I'd complimented his brothers? This man's mind was a mystery.
"Boys, I've got great news for you,” Jeannie announced. “Jake decided he’ll move to Boston after all."
"Great news, man," one of the guys said.
"Temporarily," Jake clarified.
"Still a win," Jeannie pointed out. “What you’re doing for your grandfather is beyond wonderful, my boy, and I love you for it.”
Gabe Whitley looked at me. "I don't believe we've been introduced before. Brother, you've had a girlfriend all this time and hid her from us? That's unlike you."
My cheeks were on fire.
"I don’t. Natalie is grandmother's party planner," Jake explained.
"Oh, my bad." Gabe winked at me. "I don't know anyone who would put up with my brother anyway. I'm Gabe. A pleasure to meet you."
"I know," I said. "I think I've seen you in a commercial for Whitley Distilleries, right?"
"That's right," Gabe said, clearly pleased I recognized him. I shook hands with him.
The rest of the brothers introduced themselves shortly after that—Colton, Spencer, and Cade.
Cade winked at me. “Natalie, I’m warning you. We can be a bit much to handle.”
“I have a tough skin,” I assured him.
"Okay, then. Celebrations are in order, I assume?" Spencer said. "The prodigal son returns home."
"I'm not returning," Jake said.
"The lost sheep is returning," Spencer added, disregarding Jake’s claim. "Dude, we’re gonna make fun of you with every cheesy expression there is. Give us that. We never thought we'd see you move back to Boston.”
“It only took poor Grandfather to get sick to get you back."
That was Colton, I thought. I was starting to get them mixed up.
"Can you all behave while Natalie is here?" Jake asked.
"Uh, no," Gabe said, turning to look straight at me. "As Grandmother’s party planner, I think it's good for you to get used to us. Otherwise, you won't know what hit you on the day of the party."
I chuckled. "Good to know."
I wondered how come all his brothers seemed to be so humorous and ready to joke around while Jake wasn't. Well, to be fair, Colton wasn't very sunny either.
But still, Jake was extra broody, and his family seemed to actually like each other and were glad to have him home.
This only made me wonder even more why he'd been so adamant to stay away from Boston.
Back at Martha's Vineyard, when he'd spoken about taking over the company, he'd seemed more bothered by the fact that he had to be here in the city than leaving his company in New York.
Then again, maybe he had a girlfriend in New York, although, judging by what Gabe said, that wasn't likely.
“My grandsons might give you headaches,” Jeannie warned, “but none as much as Jake.”
“Grandmother!” Jake warned, but Jeannie seemed unfazed by his outburst.
“What? It’s true. He wasn’t always like that either. Cade was the one who always gave us the most headaches. In school he used to surprise teachers with all sorts of pranks. Once, he brought a frog and put it in a teacher’s pocket. Then he moved on to more serious pranks. Reckless, some would say.”
The mood turned gloomy for a few moments, then Jeannie added, “Spencer was the one who tried to smooth things over, even though they were the same age.”
“You’re twins?” I asked in surprise.
Spencer nodded. “Yeah. That’s me, always the pacifist.”
“Except when you tried to smooth things over by doing bigger shit than Cade just to take the attention off him,” Colton pointed out.
“Bigger shit? That’s impossible,” Cade interjected. “I was the most reckless Whitley, and I won’t relinquish that title to anyone.”
“Yeah, well, I’m wiser now. I have smarter strategies,” Spencer said.
“Besides, I don’t share my adventures with the family anymore,” Cade added on a wink.
“That’s what you think, my boy,” Jeannie replied with a wicked smile, and Cade’s expression went from smug to stunned. Turning to Gabe, she added, “Gabe was also determined to give me as many headaches as possible. He tried to talk his way out of attending senior year in high school.”
“Didn’t go over too well,” Gabe admitted. “And it’s a good thing you stuck to your guns, Grandmother.”
Jeannie walked to the sideboard, taking out glasses and putting them on a tray. Colton popped open a bottle of bubbly and filled the glasses.
When had she whipped those out? I couldn't believe that just half an hour ago, she seemed to be a ghost of herself. Now she was chipper and smiling and seemed to be the same woman I’d met when she initially hired me.
"Do the honors, dear," she said, coming to me with the first glass.
"Thank you, Jeannie."
All the boys reached out for a drink, and she took her glass last. They all clinked in cheers, and I stood awkwardly, unsure if I should join the toast, but Jeannie motioned me forward with her hand.
I stepped right up between Jake and Gabe. As we all clinked glasses, I accidentally stumbled backward right into Jake. He put a strong hand on my shoulder, steadying me, and I felt the contact throughout my body.
Oh, great. I shook hands with all his brothers, and no spark, zip, nada. Yet Jake touched me, through my clothing even, and I was on fire.
After taking the first sip, everyone seemed to talk at the same time. Colton and Cade wanted to head upstairs and check on their grandfather. Spencer and Gabe were asking Jake where he planned to live.
"Boys, your grandfather is resting, but I'm sure he'll want to see you later. And you two, stop accosting Jake. He's a grown man. He'll figure out where he wants to live,” Jeannie said.
Gabe turned to me again. "Natalie, tell us what you have planned for Grandmother's party."
"Nothing is set in stone," I replied, instantly stepping into business mode. "Jake and I flew out to Martha’s Vineyard to his vacation home because Jeannie and I first considered throwing a destination party there. But since your grandfather is recovering, Jeannie is reconsidering that."
Stone silence followed my explanation. Gabe looked at Jake and then at his other three brothers.
"Am I hearing this right?" Spencer said. "You two flew together to Martha's Vineyard?"
"That's impossible," Cade said. "He never takes anyone there."
Colton cleared his throat. "Jake?"
I could barely hold back my smile. I liked seeing Jake in this situation with his brothers. The staff at the airport, both drivers, and even the chef tried to be as invisible as possible around him. His brothers were the exact opposite, ready to needle him about everything.
"Grandmother asked me for a favor, and I obliged," Jake said carefully.
Gabe whistled loudly. “Natalie, you are tougher than I gave you credit for. You survived a trip to Martha's Vineyard with Jake and haven't quit the job yet. I have a feeling you're going to be able to handle us just fine."
"Thank you for the encouragement," I told him.
Colton was suspiciously silent, simply watching Jake. Cade and Spencer seemed completely stunned.
"Wait, I need details about it," Cade said finally, snapping his gaze to me. “How did he not run you off?"
"Like I said, I have tough skin," I replied. Besides, I had no other option but to go through with this job, but they didn't have to know that. And I was enjoying myself. Jeannie was simply adorable, and Jake was… well, he was delicious, but that was completely beside the point.