WHITNEY: Thanks.
She set her alarm and put a cold washrag over her eyes to limit the swelling from the tears she’d cried.
She fell asleep, exhausted from the stress of the situation and heartbroken that things had gone sideways with Matthew.
Chapter
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.”
