CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
W hitney woke with the sun peeking through the blinds. She wiggled away from the light, only to collide with a hard, warm wall. “Oof,” she mumbled into her pillow. The flannel sheets were soft against her skin, but wholly unfamiliar. Pulling herself up a little, the wall at her backside grumbled, tugging her close.
“Not ready to wake up,” Trevor protested. “Bed is good.” He sighed.
Whitney’s eyes shot open as the last evening flew through her mind. She was in Trevor’s house, in his bed, and she had no plans on getting up. “Bed is good,” she agreed, nestling back into his hold.
They lay there like that, the only sounds the birds outside and their mingled heartbeats. Last night had been a dream of simplicity. While at first she’d loved the idea of dancing, she was exhausted from everything that had transpired. Baxter, Virginia, her—and hopefully Trevor’s—promotions, it had all come to a head.
Trevor had taken her back to his place, giving her the tour before they finally collapsed into bed. Despite the pull in her belly urging her to push for more, Whitney was glad they were taking it slow. She was falling for Trevor, and the very last thing she wanted to do was rush things. They would take this new relationship one day at a time, and she was excited to see what that brought.
Unfortunately in that moment, it brought a full bladder. Whitney groaned and wiggled free. “I need to visit the little girl’s room.” She sighed, tiptoeing into the adjoining bathroom.
Taking a moment to check her reflection, she saw nothing but rosy cheeks, messy curls, and a smile that belonged to a truly happy, carefree person. Yes, she was still upset over everything with Winnie, but they were sisters. They would figure it out. She brushed her teeth and went in search of the coffee maker.
While she measured out the grounds, a pair of arms snaked around her. “Good morning,” Trevor nuzzled his nose into her hair. “Darlin’, this is the greatest way to wake up. Folgers has nothing on you, let me tell you.” He kissed her temple before stepping away to find mugs, sugar, and cream.
“Good morning. How do you feel about breakfast? I can make eggs,” Whitney offered, opening the fridge and searching for the fixings.
“Breakfast can wait,” Trevor said, resting his hands on her hips and tugging her closer. “You’re going to discover this soon enough, but you need to know something about me.”
Whitney spun in his arms, the eggs cradled between them. She poked the divot in his chin. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“I’m a bit of a cuddler,” he admitted, taking the eggs and sliding them across the counter.
“You are, hmm?” She looped her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss.
Breakfast, coffee, and the outside world forgotten, they continued their kiss fest from the night before. Whitney was surprised her lips were still functional after all the lip-locking they had done, but she hardly complained.
The coffee maker dinged, alerting them that their caffeine fix was ready. “Coffee,” she said in between kisses.
Trevor angled her head and deepened the kiss. “Coffee can wait.”
Then the doorbell rang, tearing them away from the moment, causing both to mutter profanities that would make a sailor blush. “Who in blue blazes could that be?” Whitney asked, letting her arms fall to her side.
“Whoever it is has a death wish,” Trevor grumbled as he strode to the door.
Assuming Trevor could handle their visitor, Whitney went to work fixing up their coffees. Her ears perked up when she heard a very familiar voice coming from the doorway.
“I’m sorry, you don’t know me,” Winnie said as Whitney slammed the carton down and sprinted toward the door.
“Win?”
“Whit!” Her sister deflated, dropping her purse to the ground. Trevor stepped back to let Winnie inside.
“How are you here?!” Whitney yelped, squeezing the life out of her sister, mind racing with questions. “How did you find us?”
Winnie hugged Whitney so fiercely, Whitney’s ribs nearly cracked in half. “I might have pulled some strings for an address check at the firm. Don’t hate me.” She sighed into Whitney’s neck, her skin damp with tears. “I had to come see you and”—she paused her explanation to sniffle—“apologize and meet your fireman.” Whitney’s explanation was punctuated by more tears and laughter.
Trevor disappeared into the kitchen, returning with three cups of coffee. “Here we go,” he said, handing out mugs.
“Oh, I like him already,” Winnie said, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand before helping herself to a cup. “In case you haven’t gathered, I’m the big sister.”
Trevor reached out to shake her hand. “Trevor Mays, very nice to meet you, Winnie.”
Winnie took his hand, giving it a few pumps before letting go and falling down onto the couch cushions. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Hopefully my baby sister hasn’t warned you off my company.” She waited for Whitney to interrupt, but her sister was stunned into silence.
Trevor shoved his hands in his pockets, taking slow steps back. “I’ll let you two catch up. I’m due for a shower anyway.” Whitney snaked his hand before he could leave, kissing his cheek and muttering her thanks.
She couldn’t believe Winnie was here, with an olive branch no less. Whitney joined her sister, vibrating with excitement over the surprise. Deep down she knew her sister loved her, would do anything for her, but this impromptu visit meant more to Whitney than Winnie could ever know.
“First things first,” Winnie said, placing her coffee cup on the table. “You look great, Whit. I mean that in every way.” Studying her, Winnie observed, “You’re glowing, and I can tell it’s more than just good moisturizer.”
“Really?” Whitney asked, rubbing a hand over her heart. “I’m just so surprised to see you, and I want you to be happy for me, Win. All I want is for both of us to be happy.”
Winnie reached out and took Whitney’s hands. “I’ll be okay, and, besides, seeing you this happy is going a long way to calm my nerves. I’m so sorry I haven’t been a better sister to you.” Whitney opened her mouth to argue, but Winnie shook her head. “Let me get this out. I’ve been practicing in the car all morning.” Whitney laughed.
Lordy, it was great having her sister back.
“We’ve always been different types of people, and sometimes I forget that what makes you happy doesn’t make me happy.” She chewed the inside of her cheek, finding the words. “I’m sorry I kept pushing you to come back to Savannah. It’s clear this is where you’re supposed to be, and I won’t stand in your way.”
Whitney covered her heart with her hand, her bottom lip trembling. “Thank you. I never wanted to disappoint you.”
Winnie scoffed. “You never have, and you never will.”
The pair caught up on the happenings of the last few days while Trevor kept himself busy making breakfast. By the time he came out with plates of French toast, Whitney could tell Winnie approved.
“Okay, Trevor. I’m starting to see the appeal.” She greedily took a bite of her meal before Whitney could thank her boyfriend. “If you feed her this well, I won’t worry she’s back to eating peanut cups for dinner.”
“Hey!” Whitney gasped. “That was only while I was recovering from the breakup. I’ve been eating like a human being again, mostly.”
Trevor crossed his heart, expression serious. “I promise, Winnie. I’ll take care of Whitney as long as she’ll have me.”
Winnie hummed, eyes darting back and forth between them, before nodding. “Fine, I guess I’ll let her stay and live her own life.” She held up a finger, and added, “But I expect you both to come visit me and Xena soon in Savannah.”
Whitney nearly choked on her coffee. “Yeah, I’m in no hurry to see that devil cat again.”
“Pfft, she’s a sweetheart, and you know it.” Winnie stuck her tongue out.
“I think the only reason I’m in a rush to get back is for my collection of romance books and my favorite pajamas.”
“You should order some new pajamas for the shop,” Trevor suggested, leaning down to collect their dirty dishes. Whispering in Whitney’s ear, he added, “Or sleep naked.” That suggestion brought a crimson flush to Whitney’s cheeks, but she wasn’t complaining.
Once Trevor cleaned up breakfast, he continued to impress both Kerr sisters with his next question. “So, Winnie, do you want to stay here with us and go to the fireworks in a couple days? The festival is in full swing, and I’d love to get to know you better.”
Winnie swooned nearly as hard as Whitney at the invite. “That’s so thoughtful, Trevor. But I’m only here for the day. I wanted to see my sister and confirm she was okay.” Letting out a contented sigh, she mused, “Which, clearly, she’s more than okay.”
“You can’t get on the road already,” Whitney protested. “Can you at least spend the night?”
Winnie made a show of thinking it over. “Hmm, Mrs. Rodgers has Xena. I guess I can handle one night in the company of you two love birds.”
Trevor gestured to the couch. “That pulls out into a surprisingly comfortable bed. You’re welcome as long as you’d like.”
“Thank you,” both women said in unison.
Trevor saluted and checked the time. “Since you two have a lot of catching up to do, I think I’ll swing by the hospital and check on Smithy. How about I bring home something from the festival for dinner?”
Winnie cheered. “Oh my gosh, that’d be lovely! Is that food truck with the hush puppies and fish fry still around?”
Trevor retrieved his keys and wallet from the table by the door, nodding as he got ready to leave. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll get us a triple order.”
Whitney joined him at the doorway, kissing his cheek and tucking rogue hair behind his ear. “You’re the best, thank you.”
“Happy to be of service,” he said, kissing her chastely before he excused himself.
Winnie patted the couch cushion next to her for Whitney to return.
“Uh-oh,” Whitney was incredulous. “Why do I think I’m about to get a lecture?”
After swatting her younger sister’s arm, Winnie blinked away a fresh round of tears. “I’m not going to lecture, but I will get a little sentimental. I’m really proud of you for doing this, Whit.”
Whitney shrugged. “Dating a man who brings us hush puppies?”
“No, you tit mouse,” Winnie groaned. “I’m proud of you for following your bliss. You’ve found a place, a job, and people who make you happy. You’re not going to sit on the sidelines and do what makes others happy. You’re finally living for yourself.”
“Oh,” was all Whitney could say. While she understood what her sister was saying, she couldn’t deny that it was a shock to hear. Yes, she had made strides to be her own woman, but having her favorite person in the world confirm it felt amazing. “Thank you.”
“And as much as I miss you, I am only going to stay the night. You have a life to get to, and I need to head back and fix the mess with the merger.”
Whitney nudged Winnie playfully with her elbow. “Can I make a suggestion?”
“Oh boy, now I feel like I’m going to get a lecture.” Winnie winked.
“Can you give whatever you have with Mari a chance? Please don’t shut yourself off from a love life because of a work issue. We both know that merger had a lot more issues than you going on a few dates.”
Huffing out an exhale, Winnie finally nodded. “I thought about that, too. Now that my favorite sister is leaving, it might be nice to have someone else around. Although if Mari and Xena don’t hit it off, I’m screwed.”
Both sisters burst out laughing, clutching their sides as they caught their breath. “You might want Mrs. Rodgers to keep Xena indefinitely.”
“Haha,” Winnie teased, pulling Whitney in for another hug. “I love you, Whit.”
“Love you more,” Whitney replied, resting her hand on her big sister’s shoulder, feeling the world around her right itself.
For the first time in a very long time, Whitney was in charge of her own life. And it was a marvelous feeling.