Lana watched the man who’d entered her Inn a few weeks ago, come down the stairs with his bag in hand. She bit her lip as he approached dressed in his dark suit and colorful bowtie. Lana flashed back to the first time she’d seen him and was again taken away by his handsomeness.
Derek stopped in front of her and looked down into her face. “You remember our agreement?”
She nodded slowly, watching him.
“No crying…” he whispered.
“No,” she answered shakily.
He embraced her gently and whispered in her ear. “Have I showed you this past week how much I’m going to miss you?”
Lana smiled into his suit jacket. “Yessss…you have.”
“I extended your flowers,” Derek told her.
“I’m sure Jamal loves that,” she said smiling.
Derek laughed. “That’s my partner now. We’re brothers for life.”
Lana looked up at him and touched his chest. “Please be safe,” she whispered.
“I’ll be fine baby, I’ve traveled all over the world.” He pulled her closer. “Now kiss me, so I can get to my plane.”
Sliding her arms around his neck, Lana opened her mouth under his and kissed him with all of the emotion she was holding inside. The past week had been the most incredible time of her life with Derek. They’d spent as much time together that her work had allowed. The many ‘dinners’ and late night pool visits were just a small part of their activities together.
When Derek lifted his head, they watched each other for a moment before he quickly kissed her once more before heading out the door. They’d agreed on no long, drawn out goodbyes since he’d said it would be only for a short time anyway. He’d already seen all the family and had saved his last goodbye for the woman he didn’t want to leave.
Lana stood watching the closed door until her sisters joined her. “Lana,” Lorna whispered.
“I’m fine,” Lana told her. “I’m a woman of my word.”
Lena put an arm around her. “Girl, you should be planning when you’re going to be at his door.”
Lana walked to the counter and began moving things around. “I promised him I’d think about it.”
Lena followed. “What the hell is there to think about?”
Frowning, Lana answered, “A lot.”
“Talk some sense into your sister,” Lena told Lorna. “At least you know how to keep your man coming back.”
“Lena!” Lorna protested.
Lana looked at the pair. “Listen, let me do me.”
Lena put her hands in the air. “Fine, but you’d better not lose him.”
“I’ll be in my office,” Lana told them and walked away.
She entered the room and closed the door behind her before moving slowly to her desk. Taking her seat, she took a deep breath to compose herself. Although she’d known this day was coming, now that it was here, her heart was still heavy.
As bad as she wanted to shed a tear, she willed herself not to. As she’d told her sister, she was a woman of her word. Lana reached inside her drawer and pulled out some of her notes and contacts from the trip to Grand Rapids.
A few minutes later, her phone rang on her desk and she answered. “This is Lana Sable.”
“Hello, Lana Sable.”
She smiled. “Are you checking up on me?”
“Yes, I want to make sure I can trust you.”
“You can trust me, baby…” Lana assured him and sat back in her seat. “Are you driving?”
Derek chuckled. “Yes, and I’m hands free. I don’t want any police pulling me over.”
“No, I definitely don’t want that.” Lana felt a chill down her spine at the thought of what could transpire from there.
“What are you doing?” Derek asked.
“I was trying to work,” Lana answered. “Following up on some of the contacts I made in Grand Rapids.”
“You mean you weren’t missing me?”
Lana smiled. “Of course, I’m missing you already but you made me promise not to be sad.”
“That’s right, I did.” He paused. “Because I never want you to be sad. It breaks my heart.”
She felt her eyes begin to water. “I’ll never break your heart.”
“I’m going to hold you to that pretty, barefoot, country girl,” Derek’s voice came through the phone.
She smiled again. “I was only barefoot once,” she protested.
“I’m going to need my chocolate buffet very soon,” he said in a sexy tone.
Lana lifted a brow. “I’m sure there are chocolate buffets in D.C.”
“No, we’re not going to do that at all,” he reprimanded.
“Do what?”
Derek paused. “Don’t play Lana.”
She shrugged. “You haven’t been home in awhile…”
“I at least thought you’d wait to start this until I got all the way home,” Derek told her.
Lana frowned. “Start what?”
“Pushing…” he answered.
She closed her eyes and sighed. “Derek, I…”
“For the record, I’m going home to work because my work is important to me, just like the Inn is important to you. I trust that while I’m away, you’ll be handling your business, just like I’ll be handling mine. I expect that you’ll be focused and not creating scenarios that aren’t true,” Derek told her.
“In order for this to work, we both have to give and take, baby. We have to trust one another and believe that what we have is worth it,” he finished firmly.
Lana blinked. “Wow, I guess I just met the campaign manager.”
Derek looked out of his window at the passing scenery. “Yeah, you did.”
“He’s very firm,” Lana commented.
“He’s serious about what’s important to him, and you are on that list. And I’m not accepting any bullshit in the mix,” Derek told her.
She smiled. “You know those urban tendencies turn me on.”
“I’m not playing Lana,” Derek said seriously.
Lana swiveled in her seat. “I hear you Derek, and I’m with you. It’s just that my heart is on its way to D.C. and I’m scared to death.”
He continued down the highway and mellowed out some. “I want to see you soon, Lana.”
“I know…”
“I’m not going to press you, because you know the invitation is an open one. You don’t even need to call.”
“I can just roll up on you?” Lana questioned.
“I’m waiting for the day.”
Lana laughed softly. “Okay baby, I’ll work on that.”
“You do that. Work real hard, baby.” He urged softly. “Because I need my chocolate.”
******
The day passed quickly and that evening Lana was anxious to go home and talk to Derek. He’d texted her that he was back in D.C. and would talk with her when she was done working. Putting her work away, she left her office and headed to the lobby.
Willie looked up as she approached. “You missed dinner,” he told her.
“I wasn’t hungry,” Lana responded. “Plus I had work to do. I need to make the Inn as successful as possible.”
He smiled at her. “The Inn is successful, mostly because of you.”
“Thanks Willie, and thank you for all that you do here for us.” Lana looked around the lobby with emotion as Willie watched her.
“He’s gone huh?”
Lana turned to him, knowing who he was talking about. “Yes, he’s back in D.C.”
Willie nodded. “Your Daddy says that he’s a big man up there on Capitol Hill.”
“He’s very entrenched in politics,” Lana agreed.
“We need more like that.”
Lana smiled. “I think Derek’s one of a kind.”
“I bet you do.” Willie said with a smile. “That night that we put your ex out of the Inn, Derek told everybody how he feels about you, too.”
She blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m just gonna say, you haven’t seen the last of him.” Willie said cryptically.
The door opened and Lana mumbled underneath her breath, “Oh God…”
“Lana! Girl why didn’t you call us?” Nadia said rushing over to her and embracing her.
“Call you for what? Our next meeting isn’t until next week,” Lana said returning her hug.
Debra smirked. “Girl, don’t play. We know your man left today going back to Washington.”
“Small towns…sometimes I don’t know,” Lana commented.
Tiffany came to hug Lana. “Are you okay?”
Lana nodded. “Yes, I’m fine.”
Nadia turned to Willie. “Can you bring us all some coffee while we go into the lounge?”
Willie frowned and pointed at Lana. “I’m the Night Manager and that’s my boss, right there.”
“It’s fine Willie,” Lana told him. “We’ll just go into the kitchen and make it ourselves. Have a good night.”
He nodded. “You too, boss.”
In the kitchen, Nadia turned to Lana. “I swear y’all need to get some better help around here.”
“Shhh…don’t you say that,” Lana admonished. “Our staff is the best and I appreciate them so much!” Lana said tilting her head towards the door where she knew Willie was listening.
“Now, come on and drink this coffee, because I have other plans tonight,” she told them.
“How do you have plans with your man gone?” Debra asked.
“There is this new thing called technology, where I can not only talk to him, but I can see him too,” Lana said sarcastically.
“Ohhh, and what a sight to see!” Nadia agreed.
“You’re going to stop that,” Lana told her.
The three women took a seat at the counter as Lana started the coffee. Feeling her stomach rumble, she also grabbed some fresh baked oatmeal cookies from a nearby jar, before joining the women.
“So tell us everything,” Tiffany said anxiously.
Lana looked at them and took a deep breath and sat the cookie on the table. “Well, he left today and I can’t eat. I probably won’t sleep and my heart hurts.”
“Aww Lana,” Tiffany patted her on the back. “Did you at least tell him how much you loved him before he left?”
Lana looked at her friend. “What?”
“Did you tell the man that you love him?” Nadia questioned.
Frowning, Lana answered, “No, we’re not at that point.”
“Then what point are you at?” Debra asked, lifting a brow. “Because not being able to sleep and eat is a pretty clear indication.”
Lana looked away. “You know what Robbie did.”
“We’re not talking about Robbie, we’re talking about Derek and you loving him.” Debra said pointedly.
Lana shrugged. “He’s gone back to D.C., back to his old life. He may find that this was truly just a diversion.”
Nadia sighed dramatically. “Here she goes…”
“This isn’t a romance novel, Nadia. This is my life!” Lana protested. “There’s no guarantee of an HEA.”
Tiffany shook her head. “No, you create the ending, Lana.”
After a minute, Lana dropped her face into her hands. “I don’t want to do this again,” she whispered.
“Do what?” Debra asked.
Lana lifted her face. “Have to choose…”
“Is it a hard choice?” Tiffany asked.
“Harder than it’s ever been,” Lana admitted.
Nadia rolled her eyes. “Because. You. Love. Him. Damn!”
Lana gave her a look then, moved to check on the coffee as three sets of eyes watched her. She placed both hands on the counter and stared at the machine for a long moment.
“What am I supposed to do?” she asked quietly.
Tiffany joined her at the counter and placed an arm around her back. “Your heart will tell you.”
Lana turned to face them and said softly, “How can you not love a man that carries you home, takes you away and surprises you with a romantic date, and makes you melt just by saying your name?”
Debra smiled. “Now that’s what I’m talking about! Does he have a brother?”
Lana laughed. “I don’t know what I’d do without you three.”
Debra and Nadia joined her at the counter. “We are so here for this,” Nadia told her. “You deserve all the love in the world, Lana. We’ve watched you take care of your Daddy and your sisters after your Momma died. We even watched your breakup with Robbie. Through it all, you’ve always put everybody else first. Now it’s your time…” Lana felt her eyes water.
“Love that man and let him love you,” Debra touched her arm.
“Or I’m going to take him,” Nadia teased.
Lana laughed. “You are such a mess and you’re not taking my man.”
Nadia pursed her lips in thought. “Then you have to get blue bridesmaids dresses. That’s my color.”
Wiping her eyes, Lana shook her head. “I’ll keep that in mind, but I don’t think I’m anywhere near a wedding.”
Tiffany lifted a brow. “From what we’ve heard, Derek’s practically already asked your Daddy for his blessing.”
“What?” Lana asked surprised.
“And your Daddy has given it,” Nadia added with a nod.
Lana looked at them. “You all gossip too much.”
“Girl, in this little town…ain’t nothing else to do.” Debra informed her. “Plus, you been supplying all the tea. From Derek taking you to Grand Rapids to Robbie trying to take your Inn…”
Nadia smiled. “You got your own little reality show going on.”
Lana lowered her head. “Noooo…I don’t want that.”
“Everybody is rooting for you and Derek,” Tiffany told her. “Jamal’s even taking bets on when you two will make it official.” She looked at Lana. “Just so you know, I said a fall wedding and I can really use that pot for school.”
Debra turned to Tiffany. “Oh no you didn’t! I said Christmas and I need that money too.”
Nadia laughed. “Don’t even think about it…I said next month and from the way our girl is acting right now, I’d say that money is as good as mine.”
Lana stared at the women. “Why are supporting Jamal in this?”
“I think he has an ‘in’ with Derek,” Nadia said suspiciously. “We’re keeping an eye on him to keep this whole thing legit. That boy might revert back to some old habits.”
Lana put a hand to her head. “I don’t have time for this. I told you…this is my life.”
Tiffany began to pour the coffee into cups and the women moved back to the table. Adding some sugar and cream, they stirred their cups before Nadia asked, “When are you going to D.C.?
“Who said I was going to D.C.?” Lana asked taking a sip from her cup.
“Girl bye,” Nadia responded. “Knowing you, that ticket is already bought.”
Lana hedged. “I haven’t bought a ticket.”
Nadia smiled. “You researched one.”
“So, people look up tickets all the time.” Lana offered.
Debra sat her cup down. “Lana, it’s okay to go visit your man. It’s not like you’re breaking the law or something.”
Lana shrugged. “I don’t want to chase him.”
“Chase, hunt, pursue…whatever the hell you want to call it, you’d better do it!” Nadia ordered. “Girl, stop it…do you think men like Derek walk into your life every day? Do you want to stay single?”
“It’s not like that Nadia. Of course, I don’t want to be alone, but I’m scared,” Lana admitted. “Especially now with Robbie and his antics. I loved him and he came to destroy me and my family.”
Tiffany grabbed a cookie and jumped into the conversation. “What would your favorite book heroine do?” she asked Lana.
Lana thought about it for a minute. “She wouldn’t be afraid to give her heart completely to a man that she wanted and wanted her in return,” Lana began. “She’d be honest with him and herself about her feelings and she’d do whatever it took to be with him.”
Glancing around the table, she said, “But I’m not a book heroine. I’m a flesh and blood woman with many fears and emotions. I have issues and baggage just like the next woman. There’s nothing special about me that sets me apart.”
“I bet that Derek would disagree,” Tiffany told her. “He didn’t come to Grayling looking for a woman, a guy like him, living and traveling the way he does, could’ve found someone a long time ago. But something did set you apart Lana.”
Lana smiled. “Thanks Tiff, you’re so sweet.”
Nadia shook her head. “The hair and the booty. That’s what got him.”
“Thanks Nadia, you’re so encouraging.” Lana told her.
Nadia smiled. “I’m working on perfecting my twistout every day. The booty part I got on lock already.”
Lana shook her head and looked at her watch. “Okay ladies, I’ve got to put my cape on and become the heroine in my own book.”
They all stood and hugged one another and Lana led them to the door. After they’d departed, she walked slowly to her house and let herself inside. Glancing around, she was filled of recent memories here with Derek.
She walked from her living room to her kitchen and then finally to her bedroom. Lying across her bed, she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. Lana went back over her conversation with her friends in her mind. Apparently everyone in town knew all of her business, which she hated.
That was one of the pitfalls of living in a small place. Although, Grayling was her home, it did have its downsides, but there was no place else she’d rather be. Like she’d told the group, she had researched tickets to D.C. but hadn’t selected any dates or made any purchases.
Derek had gone home to work and she wasn’t about to show up on his doorstep the day after he’d arrived. Even though, he’d made it known that it wouldn’t be a problem, Lana still wanted to give him time to adjust.
Sitting up, she pulled out her phone and called the man in her thoughts. When he answered immediately, she smiled.
“Damn, that smile is just as pretty over 700 miles away,” he greeted her over the screen.
Lana stared into the phone. “And you’re just as handsome and charming.”
“How was your day?” Derek asked watching her face.
“Hmmm…a myriad of emotions,” Lana told him.
“Tell me about them,”
She sat back against the pillows and sighed. “Well, everybody in town knows all of my business.”
He laughed. “Isn’t that a part of the hometown charm?”
“I don’t know about that,”
Derek nodded. “Okay, what else?”
“The book club came to see me,” Lana informed him.
He rolled his eyes. “Oh, I can imagine…”
“Nadia’s still talking about taking you,” she said laughing.
“Tell Nadia, I’m good. I’ve already claimed my country girl.”
Lana bit her lip as she looked into his face. “How was your trip?”
“Good, the flight was quick. I stopped into my office for a short time and now I’m prepping for tomorrow,” he explained.
When they both fell silent for a moment, Derek studied her through his screen. “Are you in bed?”
Lana looked around. “Yes,”
“I wish I was there with you,” he told her softly.
“Me too,”
He lifted a brow. “So, were there any other emotions you were feeling today?” he asked.
She nodded slowly. “Yes,”
“You want to share them?”
“Maybe…”
He gave her a look. “Maybe huh?”
She nodded and watched him silently.
“Well how about I share some of my feelings today?” he asked softly.
“Okay,”
“Leaving you today was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. All the way home I wondered, ‘Is this woman going to change her mind? Is she going to run away?’” He paused and they stared at one another.
“Then I said, my woman is not a quitter and I’ve done everything I could to show her that I’m not here to play with her heart,” he continued.
Lana nodded.
“Everything except tell her that I’ve fallen so much in love with her and I can’t even bear the thought of losing her,” he finished.
Lana wiped at her eye. “I couldn’t eat today after you left…” she whispered.
“Awww baby, don’t make Mrs. Langston take a switch to you,” Derek told her.
“I know right. I haven’t had that in a long time.”
“For real though, I need you to eat. I don’t want you to get sick.”
She swiped at the other eye. “I won’t. I could never eat after Daddy left either.” Lana held the phone tightly. “I think after losing my Momma, I just developed this attachment to people that I love. When Lorna left for college, I couldn’t sleep for a month and when Lena traveled, I’d call her a thousand times.”
“You have a strong connection to the people that you love,” Derek commented.
Lana looked at him. “I do and that’s why I won’t eat or sleep today…”
Derek waited as she gathered her words.
“Because someone I love is far away from me,” she finished softly. “And I miss him so much already.”
They held each other’s gazes through the phone and Lana wiped her cheek.
“Don’t make me miss you too long, baby,” Derek told her.
“I want you to get settled,” Lana replied.
Derek shook his head. “I’ll never be settled again, until I’m with you.”
“You’re not going to make this easy, are you?” Lana asked.
“It’s not hard,” Derek answered. “Not if it’s what you really want.”
Lana looked at him. “This feels like a test.”
“No test, if you want me…you know where to find me. I’ll never make it difficult,” Derek replied firmly.
“There’s the campaign manager again,” she pointed out. “He uses a distinct tone.”
Derek laughed. “It’s called “I don’t have time for the bullshit,” and I use it very often here in Washington.”
“You think I’m bullshitting you?” Lana asked raising her own brow.
“I think you will, if I let you,” he answered honestly.
Lana’s eyes widened at his answer. “I just told you that I loved you,” she protested.
“And I just told you that I’m in love with you, too,” Derek replied “But here’s the magic question, baby…”
Lana waited for his next words.
“What are we going to do about it?”