by Ashley Quinn
Natalie felt a small glimmer of hope. “No...” she started.
“Well, she did,” Jane continued. “What does your heart say about London’s feelings?”
Natalie blinked as a rush of memories filled her mind. She thought of how London, bright and laughing, kissed her so passionately that she could feel it low in her stomach before it radiated out to every cell in her body. She remembered the deep content between them as they sat by the pond.
“She feels the same way,” Natalie finally answered.
“Then it will work itself out, sweetheart,” Jane responded. “London may have some tough decisions to make, but if she feels the same way then love will prevail. Be patient with her. It will be worth it. Every time I look at your aunt Celia, I remember just how worth it our own struggles have been.”
“I hope I find a love like you two have,” Natalie said with a smile. “Thank you for listening.”
Jane stood and patted Natalie’s shoulder. “You have all the love in the world, honey. If it’s time for the next chapter in your life, then it’s time. I’m going to head over and open the bakery. Come on by when you’re ready.”
Natalie stood and stretched. “I will.”
“Don’t worry about the uncertainties, Natalie,” Jane went on as she paused in the front door. “You have the whole weekend ahead of you to enjoy with London. I, for one, am looking forward to meeting the mysterious woman that seems to have stolen my niece’s heart.”
CHAPTER 14
That afternoon, London surveyed the spacious air-conditioned box overlooking the batting cages at Globe Life Park and carefully took in her surroundings. An engraved marble nameplate outside of the box read “Foster Holdings, LLC” on the top line and “Hillside Energy”, the company that shared the space with them, below it. She didn’t feel the surge of pride she had expected upon seeing her surname etched as ownership of the opulent private box. She felt disconnected from it all and chewed the tiny stirring straw in her whiskey and Coke in thought.
I may be a Foster, but I didn’t exactly grow up a Foster she thought. I know nothing about the oil and gas industry and the little bit that Dad explained sounds like Greek or something.
She glanced around the interior of the box. It was spacious, with a long granite countertop running the length of the left wall. A small sink, microwave and dry bar with tall stools were arranged around the countertop while a curved flat-screen television anchored in the far corner played the baseball game happening just below them.
A small step down led to a sunken social area, where leather couches and armchairs were scattered in two semi-circles around a square, marble-topped table. The dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass wall separated the social area from an outdoor patio by a narrow door. The patio held four miniature rows of seats that overlooked the baseball field and faced the large neon scoreboard directly across the expansive green.
A private restroom in the corner near the front door rounded out the box. London wasn’t surprised that it had been occupied by Tiffany for nearly ten minutes. First thing she did was make a beeline right to the bar she thought as she continued to chew her straw. I wonder if it’s too soon to talk to Dad about that. That is, if I can catch him without his posse of oil executives for a moment.
London eased herself onto one of the tall stools near the dry bar and sighed. Vince was sitting casually in one of the outdoor seats and spoke animatedly, erupting into laughter every few seconds, as he entertained his colleagues.
He looks just like I do when I’m talking to clients at work she thought ruefully. If nothing else, I suppose the Fosters at least have the fake laughter memorized well.
When they had arrived nearly an hour ago, Vince had politely introduced London and Tiffany to his colleagues. If they had been confused by the presence of a second daughter, they were gentlemen enough not to let it show. After the obligatory introductions were complete, the men had congregated outside with cold bottles of beer in hand. Tiffany had scattered to the bar, then to the long stadium hallway outside, and then back to the bar again.
London drained the last of her drink through her tiny straw as the amber liquid disappeared between square ice cubes. How long do baseball games usually last? She wondered dismally. She had the sneaking suspicion that they had quite some time left. If this was Dad’s idea of bonding time, he needs a serious lesson in separating business and personal. She sighed again. But why am I surprised? It’s Vincent Foster.
She perked up as she hard a flush from the small bathroom. She turned expectantly as the bathroom door opened and Tiffany leaned against the frame for a moment. A thin sheen of sweat shone over her face and neck. Her blonde hair was matted to her temples.
“Are you okay?” London asked, concerned. She knew Tiffany had downed two drinks in a record amount of time, but hadn’t expected her to nearly lose her ability to stand upright.
Tiffany swallowed hard but nodded. She glanced up and met London’s eyes. “I don’t...I didn’t feel so well, but I’m okay now.”
London searched her sister’s empty gaze. She looks stoned she thought in alarm. Her eyes were half-closed while the rest of her face was blank. London took a deep breath. She had had enough.
This stops now she thought in determination. This is a problem. Tiffany needs help and I can’t pretend like I don’t notice or it’s some normal personality quirk. She's going to end up hurting herself one of these days.
“How much Adderall did you take?” London asked as she felt her voice rising. “Your pupils are the size of saucers!”
Tiffany glanced at the patio, but the glass door had been shut to keep the air conditioning inside the box. “Shh,” she hissed. “I didn’t take Adderall. It’s the Xanax. I forgot that I needed some earlier.”
“You did not,” London replied flatly. She stole a glance at the patio and then glared at Tiffany. “Why? Why did you need it? You always say how much you need these pills and that you can’t get by without them, but you’ve never said why. Because you know what? It’s a lame, flimsy excuse. What you do to your body is your choice, but don’t treat me like I’m stupid.”
Calm down, London she warned herself silently. It’s not going to do either of us any good if we start yelling. Besides, Dad will never forgive us if we get into our own version of Family Feud right here at the game.
Tiffany glared at her for a long moment. “Since when do you care what I do, London?” She retorted. “You couldn’t care less about me through my entire life, and now you’re going to judge me because I have issues? I don’t have to take this. I’m going outside for some air.”
Tiffany took a few slow steps toward the patio and then turned again. “I’m sorry we can’t all be as perfect as you, London,” she continued and then paused. “But you know what? I wouldn’t want to be.”
She turned again and London blinked. Did I deserve that? She wondered She thought of the years of resentment she had indirectly taken out on Tiffany by distancing herself and outright ignoring her younger sister. Fine, maybe I did. But that doesn’t make the pill-popping and drinking excusable. And there’s no way she can go out there and mingle with Dad’s colleagues right now.
London hurried after her and gently grabbed her arm. “Tiffany,” she started, her voice low and urgent. “I realize we have our issues and I realize I’m just as much to blame for some of them. But I’m telling you as your...your...” she paused and faltered. “...Half-sister that there’s no way you can go out there. Dad and the Discover guys are going to know you’re intoxicated.”
How can they not? She thought as she observed Tiffany’s drawn, pale face. She looks and sounds like she’s been binging for three days straight.
London was pleasantly surprised that Tiffany didn’t argue it. She nodded after a moment. “I’m kind of dizzy,” she admitted.
At that moment, the unmistakable ringtone of London’s phone chirped loudly from the countertop. She knew from the ringtone she had set for her best friend that it was Holly o
n the other end of the call. London glanced back at her phone and then at Tiffany.
Crap she thought. It’s the middle of the day, so it has to be work-related. Do I take the call or get Tiffany situated?
Her phone continued to ring and London bit her lip. Work? She thought again. Or Tiffany?
After a moment of internal struggle, London grabbed both of Tiffany’s arms and pushed her forcefully into the nearest armchair. “Sit for a minute,” she told her. “Relax. I have to take this call, okay? Please don’t move.”
Tiffany met her gaze and London stilled for a moment. She was caught off-guard by the complete trust in her sister’s eyes. “Okay,” she replied. She rested her head in her palm and closed her eyes. “You promise you’ll be right back?”
Guilt wracked London’s gut. “I promise,” she confirmed. She wasn’t quite sure why she felt so awful about turning her back on her sister and grabbing her phone, but the lingering feeling of guilt stayed with her as she hurried into the stadium hallway.
She needs me she thought. I should be watching her right now.
London quickly jabbed the redial button on her phone and tapped her fingers impatiently against her thigh as the call rang to Holly. The second big realization in so many days became clear as she glanced over her shoulder toward the door of the box.
My family means more she thought with a swallow. What was it that Natalie had said? Family is family, and that’s that? Well, Tiffany is my family. She’s more important than work.
London was about to hang up, turn her phone onto its silent mode and march back into the box when Holly answered breathlessly.
Damn London thought. “Hey, Holly,” she forced the cheer into her tone. “How’s it going? I just missed you.”
“Oh thank God you’re not saying ‘y’all’ yet!” Holly greeted her with a laugh. “How’s the rest and relaxation?”
“It’s a whole different world out here,” London admitted. “I’m already feeling like a new...er person. I know we have a lot to catch up on, but I actually...”
“The reason for my call was that I wanted to talk to you about the promotion,” Holly cut in. London fell silent. “Do you have a few minutes?”
London turned again and craned her neck toward the door of the box suite. She blew out her breath. “I guess.”
“You don’t sound enthused,” Holly remarked. “Which is unfortunate, because I thought you'd be thrilled to know that Mr. Hanson had a private meeting with me over lunch. Your Instagram, London? It’s gone viral in the office. Everybody, and I mean everybody from Accounting to Communications to I.T., is addicted to your adventure. Literally everyone at W.H. Young is following your account and waiting to know what happens next.”
London blinked. That was not what she expected to hear. “Gone viral?”
“Yes,” Holly confirmed with a chuckle. “Even the C.E.O. is following your Instagram account. You’re practically a celebrity in the office now.”
“Oh no...” London started as a wave of realization washed over her.
“Oh yes,” Holly replied. “London, this is great. We love the photos you’ve been posting. In fact, Mr. Hanson told me in our lunch meeting that he now has no doubt in his mind that you’re the right person to take over my role. He wants you back in the office as soon as your time off is up.”
London sank against the wall and ran a hand through her hair. “Holly, I don’t know...”
“In case you needed me to recite the amazing suite of benefits now available to you as the Director of National Accounts, you’ll now have an office with a crystal-clear view of Lake Michigan, a $20,000 increase in salary and the admiration and support of every person at W.H. Young because we all feel like we’re right there in Texas with you,” Holly went on cheerfully.
“I don’t know,” London stressed again. “I didn't say I accepted it.”
There was a long pause. “I don’t understand,” Holly finally replied. “This is what you wanted. What’s going on?”
London sighed. Where to begin? She thought. “How did you know that Michael was the one?” She asked instead. “Was it, like, an instant thing or did you realize it slowly?”
Her friend was quiet for a beat. “You met someone,” she started. “It’s that brunette that you posted the Instagram of, isn’t it? London, you sly dog! I can’t believe it,” she crowed. “Good for you, girl. I’m glad you’re getting some action while you’re in Texas. You deserve it.”
“It’s not just action, Holly,” London tried to explain. “I really like this woman.”
Holly took a deep breath. “Look, I get it,” she went on. “It’s been God knows how long since you’ve had a connection with someone. After the number that Kayley pulled on you, I don’t blame you one bit for being closed off. But the fact is that this woman lives in Texas. You know as well as I do that long distance things never work out. The last thing I want is to see you being broken all over again, especially over something that wasn’t attainable to begin with.”
“Wow, Holly,” London interrupted bitterly. Her annoyance was growing, but she wasn’t sure why. “Thanks for that vote of confidence. I know what you’re thinking, but she’s not some rebound. I’ve had a year between Kayley moving out and coming to Texas.”
“Well, what if you are falling for her?” Holly prodded. “What’s going to happen? One of you will have to give and move to the other. You’ll have to stay in Texas or she’ll have to move to Chicago. And, London, I think you know what the obvious choice is. You have the promotion in the bag. Mr. Hanson confirmed it this afternoon. I know you wouldn’t want to give up the single largest achievement in your career thus far to...to...what? Take a chance on some woman in Texas that you’ve known for a few weeks?”
London knew that Holly was making perfect sense. On paper, she’s right. It’s the obvious choice she reminded herself gently. Natalie’s wide, contagious smile lit her mind’s eye. But I can’t ignore my heart either. “I can’t push how I feel to the side,” she replied. “I’ve done that long enough, and it’s gotten me nowhere. I don’t know that I’ve ever had such a strong, immediate connection with someone and that’s worth something to me. I realize I have a lot of thinking to do...”
“London, the C.E.O. is not going to wait around for an answer while you explore this romance,” Holly went on. “You know how he is. He’s a fast-paced executive and he wants a plan in place right away. I can’t give him a wishy-washy answer. Can I at least tell him you’ve verbally accepted? If you decline, you’ll lose this opportunity.”
London’s heart pounded. What if Holly is right? She thought apprehensively. What if things with Natalie crash and burn? Then I’m left with nothing all over again. “I...I don't know what to say,” she stammered.
“Say you accept, so I can tell Mr. Hanson that you’ve verbally agreed to the promotion,” Holly replied impatiently. “And then enjoy your afternoon and the rest of your time in Texas, because it’s going to be a whirlwind once you’re back.”
Speak now or lose the opportunity forever. “I accept,” London said hastily. She felt a strange heaviness weigh down on her as Holly squealed in excitement.
“I knew you’d make the right decision!” She exclaimed. “All that dedication and commitment you’ve shown is going to pay off big time. London, this is going to be dynamite for your career! I’ll let Mr. Hanson know as soon as we hang up.”
London felt sick to her stomach. “Great,” she replied, unable to keep the biting sarcasm from her tone. “Thanks a lot.”
Holly plowed ahead, either undeterred or pretending like she didn’t hear her, to London’s aggravation. “One more thing before I let you go,” she continued. “There’s a client in Dallas that I’m overdue to see. I’m going to swing down for a day mid-next week. I was thinking a quick patio and margarita date, but I’d like you to be there when I visit the client. These responsibilities are going to eventually be in your hands now, so we might as well start training you right away.”
>
“I’ll e-mail you my dad’s address,” London replied. “I...I’ll put the meeting on my calendar.”
As they hung up, London closed her eyes and leaned back against the cool hallway wall for a second. “Shit,” she whispered to herself. Her eyes flew open as she remembered her sister. “Shit,” she repeated, louder.
CHAPTER 15
London threw open the door to the box suite and blinked. Tiffany had reclined back in her armchair and finished another drink with a long swallow. A quick glance through the glass wall revealed her father and his colleagues stepping closer to the door as they socialized. They’re going to come inside any minute she realized as her heart sank.
She rushed to her sister. “Tiffany, I thought you were done drinking today,” she hissed angrily.
Tiffany tried to roll herself to a seated position. “I had to...I needed to drink something,” she slurred. “It’s just, the Xanax, it makes my head, like...” she threw out her hands in an exploding motion. “Like, whoa.”
“I can imagine,” London replied dryly. “I hope you haven’t been talking to Dad or any of his colleagues in this state.”
Tiffany shook her head and hoisted herself upright. “No,” she answered. “They’ve said a combined ten words to me all night. I knew when Dad mentioned that his colleagues would be here, I’d become invisible.”
London couldn’t help but assess how very visible Tiffany was as she stood and teetered against the chair. “You can’t be here like this,” London decided. She glanced outside again. “You’re too intoxicated.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, we’re stuck in a box,” Tiffany replied. For some reason, this made her giggle. “There really isn’t anywhere to go.”
She’s right London realized in defeat. As she looked around for a solution, one of her father’s colleagues wandered inside from the patio and rubbed his hand over his belly.
