Only One (Ward Sisters Book 2)

by Lucy Gage

  Suddenly, she had a mission, something to occupy her time while she was at the condo without him. Jenna grinned when she thought of Liam the next time he opened this computer. She had no idea when that would be, but he was in for a big surprise.

  **********

  Lost Angeles, California, ten months ago…

  Sitting at her apartment, three months after her Homecoming trip, Jenna received a call she wouldn’t have expected, given how epically that experiment had failed.

  “Hey, you,” Liam said, sounding a little sad.

  “Hey yourself. Are you in town?” Rob, and thus, Liam, should already be on the way home to Minnesota for Christmas.

  “Only for a few hours. Rob had a meeting before we head home for a few weeks. I wish it was longer. If it was even for the night, I’d come see you.”

  “Would you?” Jenna could hardly believe it, but this was the first time he’d ever called when he wasn’t actually in town for real. He might as well be on a layover.

  “If it wasn’t a nightmare to get around this stupid city, I’d make time to come see you while we’re here, but you know what it’s like. I’d barely get to your place and have to turn around and leave again. You going to be around the week of the Globes?”

  “I should be here. Why?”

  “If I have to take vacation, I’m coming. I need to see you.”

  “Do you? And why is that?” She was trying not to be giddy about it. He was making plans to see her, whether or not he was working nearby, even if it wasn’t convenient. This was what she’d wanted him to do three months ago.

  “I miss you, baby. It’s been too long since I kissed you.”

  “I miss you, too. You just miss my kisses?”

  “I miss everything about you,” he whispered.

  “I miss everything about you, too. I’ll be here the week of the Globes. You promise you’re going to be here?”

  “I’ll be there. I promise. I can’t wait to see you.”

  “I’ll be here with bells on…”

  “And nothing else?” he teased.

  “If you insist…”

  **********

  It was the week before Christmas and Jenna was going out of her mind. She’d woken that morning to a flurry of internet traffic and it sent her into a panic. There was a video online, a shaky, cell phone camera – obviously, not anyone who bothered to have an iPhone – and it showed Rob making out with some girl at a club in Minneapolis. She had gone there once with Liam, Rick and Kelly. It was an exclusive, private club. Everyone online wanted to know who the girl was.

  In order to repair his reputation, Deac Roberts hadn’t been seen with a woman socially since Lola had dumped him. In the three and a half years since, Jenna had dealt with rumors and speculation, but Rob hadn’t actually dated or even really talked to that many women, let alone been kissing anyone in public.

  She dialed Rob as soon as she saw the first signs of insanity. He needed to know what was happening straight away, because tomorrow he had interviews and later today, he had a business meeting with some guy from Art Wurks magazine related to the big Fluxus event they were throwing at the Walker Art Museum over New Year’s.

  It took him a second to pick up. “Jen, what’s up?” He didn’t sound like he’d been sleeping, despite the fact that he should have.

  “Rob, there’s a video online of you with some girl at The Glass Door. It says it’s from last night. Do you know anything about that? Do I need to scrub it?”

  “Yeah, you’re about an hour late.”

  “That’s really from last night? You were with some girl?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where is she now?”

  “She’s here.”

  “In your hotel room?”

  “Yes.” She should’ve known. He hadn’t called her gorgeous.

  “It’s what, 7 a.m.? Did you sleep with her?”

  “No, not last night.”

  “Did you sleep with her this morning?”

  “Jenna, you know I’m not going to tell you that.”

  “Oh, sorry. She’s there. How did you already know about the video? Did Barry call you?” That would be awful, if Barry found out before Jenna. He was the assistant to Rob’s publicist and sister, Amy. Jenna worked hard to be the first one to find anything and get rid of it when necessary. Not to mention that it was one of her primary job functions.

  “No, her sister called an hour ago.”

  “An hour ago! It’s barely 7 a.m. there! What the hell are they doing up that early surfing the internet?”

  “Well, she’s from the East Coast, they were all awake at that hour.”

  “Damn, Rob, I’m sorry. I’d have told you sooner if I knew. I called as soon as I found out.”

  “I know.”

  “Are you mad?” It was her first failure as his guard dog.

  “No, I don’t blame you, it’s not your fault. You did your job; if it was just me, then you’d have been right on top of things. You had no way of knowing.”

  “I would have known if I had that notification app set up.”

  “I told you I don’t want you doing that, Jen.”

  “If I did, I’d catch stuff like this before anyone else and I’d get rid of it.”

  “No, it’s not that crucial. Stop. You need to have a real life and get sleep, too.”

  “Fine. Is this going to affect your lunch meeting?”

  “No, don’t worry about that.”

  “Are you sure? That’s more important than interviews with entertainment rags.”

  “Yeah, I think I’ve got that one covered. Call Barry and let him know so we can handle it for the interviews tomorrow.”

  “I’ll call you again later and update you.”

  “Okay. Yeah, let me know.”

  “Talk to you then.”

  “Okay. Bye.”

  Crap. If he’d just let her create that app for her phone to alert her when his name appeared fresh online, she could have a leg up and get the news instantly. Then she could scrub junk like this before it got very far. She sighed. He was the boss.

  A couple hours later, Sexy Back played and Jenna answered straight away. “What’s up, boss man? Some new development I should know about?”

  “Hey, gorgeous. Sorry I couldn’t talk this morning.”

  “That’s okay. Was she naked next to you?”

  Rob laughed. “Yeah, a bit of coitus interruptus.”

  “Oh. Sorry about that. Not literally?”

  “No. Don’t worry about it. Look, she’s new to the paparazzi stuff. Can you set up an algorithm to search her name, too?”

  “Gotta tell me her name first, boss.”

  “Oh, sorry. It’s Emily. Emily Ward. She’s from Maine.”

  “Okay. It’ll be done when I get off the phone. So, was Liam out with you last night?”

  “Are you asking if he was scouring the club for hookups?” Jenna could hear the amusement in Rob’s voice.

  “No. I was just wondering if he was working last night.”

  “Ah. Wondering if he was with Ally?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I don’t know, but I doubt it. He was beat from jet lag and said he was going straight home to do laundry. She won’t see him after 10 p.m. He won’t be available in the evening for a while.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “He’s guarding Em and she’s swamped with museum stuff.”

  “What are you talking about? You gave her a guard? And she’s with the museum? Is that how you met her?”

  Rob explained how he’d met Emily at a toy store the night before when he literally ran into her. Later, he saw her again at the Debussy hotel, where Emily was a guest.

  Rather than stay at his house, Rob was camping at the hotel for a week while he conducted business in the city. Intrigued by her disinterest in his celebrity, he’d asked Emily to dinner and on the way to a club, they’d been chased by a photographer.

  They ended up at The Glass Door, Rob�
�s place of last resort when the paparazzi became intense in Minneapolis. Once things started heating up – after the moments captured on that crappy video – Rob knew they needed to go somewhere more private before they made headlines. That was how they wound up at his penthouse suite.

  “And she works for the museum?”

  “No, she works for Art Wurks.”

  “She’s your date for lunch. That’s why you said you had that covered. Does she know?”

  Rob laughed. “No. I didn’t tell her. Becky and Rick are in on it, and I’m surprising her. I’m taking her to the house after lunch.”

  “Oh? Planning to show her your bedroom?” Jenna teased.

  “Funny. You asked for a tour. I seem to recall that you were the one with the ulterior motive. Did you ever tell Liam? He’s never mentioned it and I’ve never told him.”

  “No! Are you kidding? What would be the point? We both know it was never going to happen again after I met Liam. You should skip telling Emily, since you’re so smitten with her.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “You gave her a guard, not any guard, but your best friend. Don’t tell me that was Rick being cautious or wanting to give her someone who could be discreet. You asked Rick to put Liam on her so she’ll be comfortable with Liam long-term.”

  “Yeah. She’s…she’s the one, Jenna.”

  “The one? You mean, The One? Forever?”

  “Yeah. She’s like you, only not a genius, and with so much sexual chemistry and emotional connection, I could drown in it.”

  Jenna’s heart lurched a little. She tried to ignore it. “It’s about time you found yours. How long have we talked about that?”

  “Don’t tell me you forgot. That pains me,” Rob said in mock sadness.

  “I was being rhetorical. Of course I didn’t forget. It wasn’t forgettable, even after I met Liam. Despite the fact that he’s the love of my life and is my One.”

  “I know what you’re saying. I’ll never forget it, either. I think everyone must have someone unforgettable like that.”

  “Yes, I think they probably do. Thanks.”

  “For being yours?” He laughed.

  She smiled, though he couldn’t see her. “For asking Rick to put Liam on Emily. Did he tell you that he’s coming to see me for the Globes? He said he’d come even if he has to take vacation.”

  “Really? Wow. That’s a first. I’m hoping Emily will still be around then. If she is and she comes to the Globes, then he’ll be there for sure. I’ll talk to Rick about what we can do for her if that doesn’t work out. I want him to come see you if he’s willing. This is a big step for him.”

  “Don’t I know it. So thanks again, for keeping him away from Ally. Don’t tell me that wasn’t part of the motive.”

  “Got me. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  They hung up and she had to smile. She loved Rob.

  **********

  When Rob met Emily Ward, it threw Jenna’s life into chaos. Her carefully orchestrated social networking machine turned into a circus overnight. The searches became more extensive and her algorithm programming grew progressively more elaborate. She was up for the challenge, but it was a lot of work. Thankfully, she had two of Amy’s publicity team employees to help her.

  She and Rob had less time to talk than they had in the past. Their daily chats used to be about 1% work and the rest was personal. Now, it was nearly the opposite and often, Emily sat – or, she imagined, lay there naked – beside him.

  Rob had been her straight, male confidant for years. That was something she was seriously lacking at the moment while he was distracted in the land of the newly in love.

  When Emily returned to Maine for a week after the Globes, things calmed a little. There had been very few pictures of Emily while she was away from Rob, and that meant less new material to handle. Jenna finally had a moment to herself and she figured Rob would be alone. Plus, she wouldn’t be interrupting him having sex with his girlfriend. Again.

  He answered on the initial ring for the first time in weeks.

  “Hey, gorgeous.”

  “Good, you’re alone.”

  He laughed. “How do you know that?”

  “Because you only call me that when you’re alone or when it’s the two of us. You never say it around anyone else because then it would beg answers to questions we both would like to avoid.”

  “You got me. Do I hear a little jealousy?”

  “Yes you do.” A lot of jealousy, actually.

  “You know you’ll always be my best girlfriend.”

  “I know that. And you know I’m still desperately in love with your best friend. It doesn’t mean I don’t hate being relegated to the number three spot.”

  “Oh, hon, you’re far and above Lola. You always were.”

  “You didn’t like sleeping with her more than me? Because you slept with her a lot more than you slept with me.”

  Rob laughed harder. “Because we agreed that we would be friends and not friends with bennies. And then you met Liam.”

  “True. At least when I meet your girlfriend, she won’t wonder if we’re more than friends. I think we hide it well.”

  “You mean the fact that we reminisce fondly about sleeping together, despite both being in love with other people?”

  “Yes. That. I’m more jealous of Emily because I miss my best guy friend.”

  “I thought Christopher was your best guy friend?”

  “He doesn’t count as a guy friend. I can’t ask him for objective male advice.”

  Rob huffed a laugh. “You sure I’m objective? Liam is my best friend and I’ve seen you naked. My perspective isn’t objective.”

  Jenna laughed. “No, but it’s at least male. And straight. I know just how straight you are. There is no question of that.”

  “No. No question. I missed flirting with you. Our daily calls haven’t been nearly as fun lately.”

  “Sorry about the repeated phone calls that time. I was a little frantic. Not Rob-could-be-dying frantic, but close. Did I really ruin the moment for you?”

  “No. I told you then that I was ignoring you. I always answer immediately when I can. It worked out okay. That was some of the best sex I’ve ever had, actually. It’s insanely hot when she’s distracted.”

  “Okay, now I really am jealous.”

  She used to be the best he’d ever had. He’d told her that more than once.

  “Oh, stop. I’ve heard you and Liam. You scream for him all the time. I feel bad for him. He’s heard us on more than one occasion and I’m sure it made him miss you like crazy.”

  “Did it make him miss me so much that he had to have sex with Reggie during the Globes, even though he was supposed to be coming to see me?”

  “You know it wasn’t his fault that he couldn’t see you. He was seriously bummed when I gave him a hard time about the fact that you were really busy. And I don’t think he called Reggie. I think she found him when she was at the house getting us ready.”

  “Did he sleep with her in our bedroom?”

  It made her blood boil to think Reggie had approached Liam – which she’d said she wouldn’t do – and had the nerve to sleep with him in the bed she knew he’d shared with only Jenna.

  “No, Jen. I meant I think she talked to him then and suggested he come visit her at her place the next day. He barely had time to go to L.A. for a few hours. He’d much rather have had you sleep next to him at the house the whole week.”

  “I would’ve worked from there, but I had four computers running at once and two of them were desktops. The algorithms were too big for the laptops to process simultaneously. It was too much to contemplate packing it all up and dragging it to Malibu, even though I know you have a top-notch system in place.”

  “Don’t sweat it. He was disappointed, but he survived.”

  “Right. Because he screwed Reggie. I’m beginning to wonder if he’ll ever commit to me. It has been three years. Did you know I’ve only slept
with the two of you in the past six years?”

  “No. Why didn’t you sleep with anyone between me and Liam?”

  “You ruined me. If I kissed a guy and he wasn’t as good as you, I didn’t bother seeing what else he could do. It wasn’t worth my time to have casual sex with anyone who wasn’t going to do to me what you did. I knew from past experience that I’d get better results on my own.”

  “And Liam was different.”

  “Liam is the love of my life. It’s a given that he was different. I know he has to admit to himself he’s in love with me on his own, but it’s wearing on me. It’s been months since I last saw him. How can we keep doing this? Now, he’s guarding your girlfriend full-time and he’ll never be around here. I miss him, and I still love him, but I don’t know how much longer I can wait for him.”

  “I’ll see what I can do. Maybe after Sundance, Em can attend my agency party, and you can see Liam for a few days then.”

  “Thanks. For listening and for trying. I’m not sure it’s enough anymore. Reggie said she’s going to Sundance. They’re going to sleep together then. I know it.”

  “Just have faith. He’ll come around.”

  “You’ve been saying that for three years, Rob. When will it happen?”

  Chapter 14

  Malibu, California, seven months ago…

  It was a month after Christmas before Liam finally saw Jenna again. She was inundated with work after Rob and Emily became a public couple, and she had no time to see him when he went to L.A. for the Globes, despite their plans to the contrary. Instead, he slept with Reggie a couple of times, though it was harder to enjoy it when he’d been hoping to be with Jenna.

  Between the Globes and Sundance, Liam went to Maine for a week with Emily and helped her move out of the place she shared with her ex, Josh.

  In Park City, he had to watch the Deacon siblings and their partners, who wanted to have sex every chance they got. So, when Reggie arrived, he was glad, if only because there was relief for his blue balls.

  But, while he was outwardly bummed when Reggie said she was leaving the team and moving to New York, he was inwardly relieved. It was bittersweet. He cared about her, but he knew it was a blessing in disguise and he said goodbye to Reggie with the intent of never being with her again.