CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
W hitney spluttered , cookie crumbs puffing out of her mouth. Kim stood there smiling like she hadn’t just made an offer that blew Whitney’s mind.
“Huh?” Hardly the most articulate answer, but she was gobsmacked.
“I’d like to turn the day-to-day operations over to you, give you a raise, and let you continue to work your magic. This time last year the thought of already selling out of merchandise would have been a fever dream, but you have made it reality.”
Whitney gasped, hands flying up to cover her mouth. While she collected herself, she dusted the Oreo crumbs away. She couldn’t believe her ears, and she had no idea what to say. Well, that was a lie. She knew exactly what she wanted to say. She wanted to scream yes to whoever would listen, but she still hesitated.
“I need to make a few decisions first.” She held up her hands. “Please don’t think I’m not interested or ungrateful, but with Trevor and my life in Savannah, it’s a lot to consider.”
Kim wasn’t bothered. She rocked back on her heels, and said, “Honey, take your time. You’ve had a hell of a few days, and I added to the drama.”
“But in a very good way,” Whitney countered, unable to hold back her grin. “I’m really honored that you would trust me with the store.”
“I already do.” Kim squeezed her hand, and Whitney nearly fainted with the turn of events.
As soon as she’d heard the offer, she simultaneously wanted to tell her two favorite people, Winnie and Trevor. But that notion was silly, especially since her sister would have a fit and Trevor likely didn’t care what she did anymore. She hadn’t bothered to check her phone yet today, but she assumed he’d stopped trying to contact her. The newspaper was confirmation enough that they were over with a capital O .
Through her brain fog, Whitney thought she heard Daisy talking outside. Turning to investigate, she saw her friend waving frantically to come inside. Whitney beamed, so happy to see Daisy no matter how much it also hurt.
“I’ll get it,” Kim announced, striding to the door. “I see Buster’s car, so lunch is here too.”
The moment Kim opened the door, Daisy pushed inside and dashed to Whitney. “Javi was right, you’re still here.” She embraced her, rocking her back and forth. “I was so afraid I wouldn’t get to say goodbye, and that didn’t sit right with me. Not one bit, sugar.”
Whitney returned the hug, pleased to have a moment with her. “I wouldn’t leave without telling you, but I couldn’t stay at the house. I’m sorry.”
Daisy pulled back, angrily swiping as a few tears slid down her cheeks. “Don’t you dare apologize. In fact, there’s someone outside that has a few things to apologize for.” She hitched a thumb over her shoulder, and Whitney was shocked to see Trevor standing there.
Much like the last time he was at the shop, he held a bouquet of flowers. Only this time, Javi was behind him, clutching a cluster of balloons that said Get Well Soon. Whitney couldn’t help herself, she snickered. “What’s going on with Javi?”
Daisy rolled her eyes. “Sugar, if I knew I’d tell you.”
Time stopped as Trevor crossed the threshold, Javi and Paul on his heels. Daisy blotted her cheeks with her handkerchief and chastised the trio. “I thought I told you goobers to stay outside until I spoke with Whitney.”
Trevor took a tentative step toward Whitney, his unblinking gaze locked on her. “Sorry, Momma. I couldn’t wait.”
Javi stepped around Trevor and thrust the balloons in Whitney’s direction. Instinctively, she reached for them. “Thank you?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.
“I’m helping my man with a grand gesture, and I thought balloons couldn’t hurt.” Javi shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Whitney’s mind whirled like it was in a blender as she tied the balloons to a hook on the counter. “Grand gesture?”
Trevor nudged Javi out of the way, muttering something under his breath. “Could everyone please give us a minute?” Turning to Whitney, he asked, “Can we have a minute? Please?”
Buster chose that moment to arrive with their lunch and joined their motley crew. “What’s going on? I heard the cops were here. You all right, Auntie Kim?” He held up paper bags, and Whitney’s mouth watered at the smell of cheese and bread. For a split second, she wondered if she really wanted to hear Trevor’s explanation.
Paul and Daisy spun to face Whitney. “The police were here?” Daisy gasped, reaching out to Paul to steady her.
Kim shooed him toward the back. “Everyone calm down. Let’s give these two a moment, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Paul ushered everyone to the breakroom, leaving Whitney alone with Trevor and a million questions. She looked at him, no matter how much it hurt. He was exhausted, eyes drooping and russet hair mussed. Heck, even the cleft in his chin looked weary.
“I’m so sorry,” he blurted, placing the flowers on the counter. Gingerly, he took her hands and squeezed. “Why were the cops here?”
“I’ll tell you the whole sordid thing later, but Baxter was here.” Trevor’s nostrils flared, and she quickly promised, “It’s fine. Really. I said my piece and met his fiancée, who is actually really lovely.”
Swearing under his breath, Trevor shook himself. “I feel like I’ve missed a lot, and I hate that.” Snagging her gaze, he breathed, “You’re sure you’re okay?”
Whitney smirked, savoring the feel of Trevor’s thumb as it glided over her knuckles. “Yes. Let’s get back to why you’re here.”
Trevor pulled her hand to his mouth and gently kissed her palms. “I’m here to set the record straight and to beg you to stay in Pinegrove.” Looking up to meet her gray gaze, he added, “With me.”
“But what about Virginia? I saw you two with my own eyes, and so did the folks at the newspaper, I might add.”
Trevor grimaced. “Darlin’, as soon as I’m done begging for your forgiveness, I’m driving down to the Herald ’s office and cracking some skulls. That picture will haunt me for the rest of my days.” He shuddered, scrubbing a hand down his face. “None of this is coming out right.”
Whitney took a deep breath, relaxing her shoulders and struggling to stay in the moment. She was in the midst of the weirdest sense of deja vu, but she knew she needed—no, deserved—Trevor’s A-game.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she demanded, “Listen up, Trevor Mays. I’m going to make this easy for you,” she started, watching the light return to Trevor’s gaze. She almost felt bad for what she was about to say, almost. “I got a job offer today to be the general manager of this store.” Trevor’s mouth opened, but she held up a finger. “You’re not talking now, I am.” His jaw snapped shut so quickly, she was surprised he didn’t bite off his tongue. “It’s a good offer, an offer I’m strongly considering. But I need you to know something. If I take this job and stay in Pinegrove, it’ll be on my terms and on my own. I’m not going to stay with Daisy, I’m not going to stay just for you. If I like what you’re about to say, I’ll consider taking you back.”
From behind a rack of dresses, Javi snorted.
“Javi, I swear to God,” Trevor warned, stepping to the side to glare.
Javi ducked behind, and muttered, “Sorry. Pretend I’m not here.”
Trevor groaned, which caused a coughing fit.
For a moment, Whitney’s heart clenched as he hacked into a tissue. “Are you okay?” she asked, patting his back while he caught his breath.
“I’m fine, darlin’.” Once he was upright, he took her elbow and gently steered her to the furthest corner of the store, away from prying eyes. “Please, continue.”
Some of the fight had melted out of her, but Whitney stood her ground. “I guess that was the gist of what I had to say, but know this.” She poked him in the sternum, her jaw set. “The next time you visit me with flowers, it better be for something sweet and romantic, not to pick up the pieces from a mess.” She cast a quick glance at the odd balloon arrangement, and suggested, “You can save the balloons, too.” She wasn’t certain, but Whitney thought she heard Javi whine.
Trevor exhaled, some of the tension leaving his frame as he nodded his agreement. “That is a stipulation I will gladly follow. Now, can I plead my case?”
Whitney cocked an eyebrow, making him sweat it out a moment. It was rare for her to have the power in a relationship like this, and she took pride in herself for knowing her worth, for demanding the best. She was eager to hear what Trevor had to say, but at the end of the day, she would be okay no matter what. She’d found her home, and she was ready to start life on her terms.
“All right, let’s hear it,” she ordered.
*
M outh as dry as the Sahara, Trevor struggled to find his words and not turn into a ball of emotions in the middle of Kim’s Creations. Whitney stared at him expectantly, and he prepared to grovel like he’d never groveled before.
From the far side of the shop, he spied Javi shooting him a double thumbs-up before Paul yanked him back into the breakroom. It was simultaneously annoying and comforting knowing his friends and family had his back. Although he still hated those stupid balloons ...
“Whitney, let me start by saying the most important part,” Trevor said, licking his parched lips and hoping his throat didn’t spasm. “What you saw after the fire was not real. Virginia was trying to find Scott, and she stopped to ask about him right when you and the reporters showed up. There is nothing going on between us, not a thing .” He enunciated the last three words, determined to drive that point home.
Staring into Whitney’s gray gaze, he searched for compassion or any sign she wanted him, any sign that she would push past this awkwardness to be together. Yet she was speechless, arms still crossed tightly across her middle, as if setting up barriers to every part of her. He hated this.
Then he thought back to something Whitney said during one of their walks, about how much Baxter had humiliated her publicly. Trevor flinched at the notion he was as bad as her ex, but he soldiered on.
“The very last thing I wanted to do was hurt you, or embarrass you with that freaking Herald photo. Darlin’, over these last few weeks, you’ve become the most important person in my life. You need to know that I’m in it for the long haul, as long as you’ll have me.”
Whitney took a small step toward him, and Trevor felt a jolt of excitement that she wasn’t turning tail and running away. “It hurt,” she said, her voice painfully small. Suddenly the spitfire of a moment ago morphed into a shaken shell of herself. “I’m tired of being embarrassed by the men in my life,” she admitted.
Trevor couldn’t take it, he closed the distance in two strides, carefully resting his hands on her shoulders. At first, Whitney didn’t drop her arms, her eyes downcast. “Whitney, I am so, so sorry. I can’t tell you how much.” Trevor wasn’t going to pretend he hadn’t made mistakes with Whitney, but he also wanted to make things right. “I’m sorry, for so many things, but especially for making you feel less than. You’re strong, brave, and gorgeous, and if you’ll have me, I’d love for us to try this again.”
Whitney let out a long, slow breath. For an eternity, she refused to meet his gaze. Trevor slowly slid his hands up and down her arms, watching her skin erupt with goosebumps. Cold comfort, but at least she was still affected by his presence. Right now, he’d take whatever he could get.
Going for broke, Trevor shared the last part of the truth. “What I’m about to say isn’t meant to guilt you into anything, but I need you to know something.” Reluctantly dropping his hands, Trevor brought them to his face and scrubbed at his eyes. Not only did he really not want to cry in public, but he didn’t think his singed throat could handle it. “I haven’t been this lost, this desperate, since Daddy passed. When I thought you’d already ...” His voice caught, and he fought back another coughing fit. Fumbling in his pocket for a lozenge, he prayed he could get through what he had to say—what Whitney deserved to hear.
After a moment, Whitney reached up to cup his cheek. Her thumb dipped briefly into his dimple, her eyes brimming with tears. “Trevor.” His name came out in a whisper, but she didn’t move her hand.
Their eyes locked, and Trevor felt a bolt of awareness zip down to his toes. He wanted to stare into those gray orbs for the rest of his natural life. “When I was coming out of that fire, you were the only person I wanted to see. I thought about our ice cream date, how much I wanted us to take Gus out for another walk, how I’d love to share wings at The Pecan Pit and laugh at how much Buster hates his own menu.” Voice cracking, he chomped down on his lozenge until he could finish. “If you would have left for Savannah, I need you to know I would’ve been on the road hours ago hunting you down. I just couldn’t let you go without telling you that I’m falling for you.”
“So you’re saying the third time’s the charm?” Whitney quipped, pulling his head down until their foreheads rested against each other. Trevor huffed a laugh, but he ran out of words. “We can take it slow?” she asked, her breath tickling his lips.
“Slow as molasses in January, darlin’.”
Whitney giggled, angling her head so she could press a soft kiss to his cheek. “Maybe not that slow,” she teased, peppering a trail of kisses across his face until their lips grazed. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“You can tell me anything,” he promised, heart galloping through his chest.
“I’m falling for you, too.”
Trevor nearly wept at her admission, wrapping his arms around her so fiercely he feared she’d pop like one of Javi’s awful balloons. “Thank the good Lord,” he breathed, inhaling her floral scent that smelled like summer memories yet to come.
Unable to wait another moment, he pressed their lips together again, kissing Whitney like his life depended on it, because it kind of did.
“Hooray!” a chorus of cheers erupted from the back of the shop.
Daisy dabbed away tears while Paul hugged her close before she darted toward them. Javi whistled while Kim and Buster hollered and clapped. It was ridiculous, and it was perfect.
Daisy ran up and enveloped them in a hug. “I knew my books would do the trick,” she gasped, kissing them both on the cheek.
Whitney tittered, asking, “Your books?”
Trevor rolled his eyes. “Momma gave me a stack of your romance books to review while we came looking for you. She was convinced they would save the day.” Leaning in so only Whitney could hear, he said, “I did learn some things, but I’m saving it for when we’re finally alone.” He didn’t miss the way she inched closer, a tremor coursing down her spine.
Javi joined them, giving Whitney a one-armed hug. “Well, I might borrow a couple of those, because there was some steamy stuff in there.” He scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Any chance I can join that book club?”
“No,” Trevor spat while Daisy said, “Sure thing, sugar.”
Kim joined them, gesturing toward the door where a line was forming. “As much as I enjoy all this love and togetherness, we’ve got a line forming. My general manager and I have some work to do.”
Whitney swiped at her cheeks and nodded. “Kim’s right. Today is too busy for more shenanigans.”
Trevor knew they were right, but that didn’t stop the disappointment from washing over him. “Can I pick you up for dinner after your shift?”
“Yes,” Daisy said, ushering Javi and Paul out the door.
Whitney shook her head, clearly amused. “Yes, that would be nice. I get off at six.”
Kim pinched Trevor’s elbow and led him toward the exit. “All is right with the world, now let our girl get back to work.”
Our girl. Trevor hoped that made Whitney as happy as it made him. Despite the cast of characters, he loved Pinegrove with every fiber of his being. Falling for a woman who fit right in with those he held dear was better than any promotion he could hope for. This was more than following his career dreams—Trevor was following his heart.