“Hello, Whitney.”
She should probably ask them to call her Ms. Lancaster. Or they should just call her that without her having to ask. But they’d known her since Gordon and her father golfed together and she and Matt hung out at the country club swimming pool.
“This is Oliver Caprinelli, one of the new owners. Oliver, this is Gordon and Matt Perkins and Stephen McDonald.”
“Nice to meet you all,” Ollie said, shaking each man’s hand. “Thanks for stopping by.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Gordon said, taking in Ollie’s disheveled hair from where he’d been running his hand.
Ollie had put a tie on for the meeting and Whitney smiled to herself. That was a huge gesture and she appreciated it. But it was loose at the neck and his shirt wasn’t tucked into his pants tightly and his pants were, well, jeans. He was also wearing Converse tennis shoes.
It didn’t matter. Ollie was an owner of Hot Cakes and had as much, if not more, money than the Perkins men did. And he didn’t really care what they thought. In fact, Whitney would have bet her month’s salary that Ollie didn’t even notice the way Gordon had looked him over.
“Please have a seat, everyone,” Whitney said, pulling her own chair out. “Help yourself to coffee. We won’t keep you long. I know you made a special stop here today.” Whitney took her seat at the head of the table where Aiden usually sat.
She glanced at Ollie out of the corner of her eye. He was looking at his phone again.
It wasn’t rude. She knew he wasn’t ignoring her. He was checking in at the hospital. And she really wanted to know what the text said. He also wasn’t going to be presenting here today. She was fully in charge. He was here as a face for the new owners only.
Piper slipped in just then. She gave everyone a bright smile and asked, “Just seeing if you need anything, Ms. Lancaster.”
Whitney fought her grin. She loved Piper.
“This is Piper Barry,” Whitney introduced. “She’s our executive assistant.”
“Hello, Piper,” Matt said, sitting forward in his chair and giving her a big grin.
Ollie looked up at that. He frowned at Matt and looked over at Piper. He also sat forward in his chair. “Thought you were going down to Buttered Up?”
“Paige is getting things opened up. I thought I’d see if I can help Ms. Lancaster with anything before I go.”
Ollie looked at Whitney, then back to Piper. “I’ve got Ms. Lancaster covered.”
Piper didn’t quite roll her eyes at him, but it was definitely implied. “Ms. Lancaster?” she asked, dismissing Ollie.
“I’m fine, actually,” Whitney said. “But thank you.”
“Absolutely. We’ll talk later.”
“Of course.” Whitney watched as Piper slipped back out.
She was relieved to know that Paige was already at Buttered Up and that Piper was on her way.
She still wanted to get this meeting over with.
That was new. She never wanted to rush through meetings. She always wanted to be sure every T was crossed. Twenty-four hours ago, she’d been excited about this meeting and showing business associates of her father’s and her bosses what she could do. Now she just really wanted to get these men out of here and on the road to Indiana.
“Why don’t we get started?” she said. “In front of you, you’ll see the information I’d like to go over today.”
For the next twenty minutes, she filled them in on the details of the new product and her ideas for the launch and how Perkins Foods could be a part of it. But her mind was only partially on the presentation. She couldn’t stop looking at Ollie who couldn’t seem to stop looking at his phone. What was going on at the hospital? How was everyone?
She wrapped things up without going over the details for the television commercials in local markets or the Facebook ad plan.
“I’d love to hear your thoughts,” she said, closing the folder in front of her.
But just then she noticed Ollie scowling at his phone.
Dammit. What had happened?
Gordon opened his mouth, but Whitney put up a finger. “But if you could just give us one minute, Gordon?” she asked. “I need to speak with Oliver about something pressing. Why don’t we take a short break? You can refill your coffees.” She pushed her chair back and stood. “Please help yourself to more muffins. The restrooms are just down the hall to the left,” she spoke as she moved toward Ollie’s chair. She snagged the sleeve of his shirt and tugged. “Can I see you in my office for a moment?”
He looked confused and it was clear that he hadn’t been paying attention. “Uh, yeah. Sure.” He got to his feet and followed her out the door and to the right.
Once they were in her office she faced him. “What’s wrong?”
“They were going to do a bypass for two blockages. Now it’s three.”
“Dammit.”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“You should go over there.”
“What?” He frowned. “No. I’ll wait until you’re done.”
“No. Go. You’re worried sick and they would want you there with them. I’ve got this.”
“But—”
“Ollie, what are the in-store displays going to look like?”
“Uh…”
“Come on. Are they going to have alpacas or bobcats on them?”
“Alpacas.”
“Wrong.” She smiled. “Neither.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m just distracted.”
“I know. And I get it. But I don’t need you in there. I can answer all of their questions. I promise.”
He was thinking about it, she could tell. So she pressed.
“Do you trust me?”
“Of course.”
“Then please go. Take care of your friends. And send me an update as soon as you get there.”
He finally breathed out. “Okay. I know you’ve got this. You’ll be fine without me. I just wanted you to know you were supported.”
She felt her chest warm as she realized that she already knew that. “I do know. The people who need your in-person support right this minute are in Dubuque.”
She wanted those people—all of them but, yes, one in particular—to have everything, and everyone, they needed to feel supported. Ollie being there would make them feel better. He’d make Cam feel better. Piper would too.
“Go get Piper from the bakery. If it’s too busy for Paige on her own, just close it up again. I think Piper needs to be at the hospital too.”
Ollie nodded. “She’s worried.”
“I know.”
Ollie reached out and squeezed her arm. “Go kick ass. I’ll text you.”
“Thanks.”
He left and she stood staring at a door through which someone had left her again. But this was okay. She was where she needed to be.
She rejoined the other men in the conference room. They’d just settled back in with fresh coffee. She smiled as she took her seat.
“Where’s Oliver?” Gordon asked.
“A friend’s mother is in the hospital,” Whitney said. “He left to be with him.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
It sounded like he said it more because he felt it was the right thing to say, but Whitney nodded.
“What questions do you have?” she asked.
“I’m curious what your father thinks of the plan.”
She blinked, then stared at Gordon. Then frowned. Then blinked again. “My father?” she finally asked.
“Yes. I haven’t spoken to him in a while but he didn’t mention anything about a new product the last time we did talk.”
“I’m sure he didn’t,” Whitney said, confused. “He doesn’t know anything about it.”
Gordon seemed confused now. “He doesn’t?”
“No.” Whitney leaned in. “My father doesn’t own Hot Cakes anymore, Gordon. He’s not a part of any new plans or products anymore.”
“Well, yes, I know that’s technical
ly true,” Gordon said. “But surely you’re talking with him about decisions and turning to him for advice.”
Whitney felt her eyebrows rise. “Actually, no, I’m not. There are four men who are making the decisions now and who I get advice from. And give it to, incidentally. Aiden Anderson, Grant Lorre, Oliver Caprinelli, and Camden McCaffery. The new owners.”
“All young men with no previous experience in the food industry,” Gordon said.
She nodded. “Which is why I’m here.”
“Also young and inexperienced.”
“Young, perhaps, but I’ve been involved with Hot Cakes all my life. It’s been my family’s business for almost fifty-two years.”
“I’m aware of that.” Gordon gave her a placating smile. “But I meant inexperienced in actual business.”
Whitney expected to feel the typical frustration welling up. The anger at being dismissed. The exasperation.
Then… she started to laugh.
Gordon’s eyes widened. He looked at Matt and Stephen.
Whitney glanced at them as well, laughing and shaking her head. She was actually… amused. These men were misogynistic fools. They were treating her the way her own father, grandfather, and brother always had. They wouldn’t get it, no matter how she explained it to them.
And it didn’t matter.
It didn’t matter who they thought had come up with the ideas or who thought they were great. It didn’t matter if Gordon Fucking Perkins thought she could handle this.
All that mattered was that Aiden, Grant, Ollie, and Cam thought she could handle this.
And they did.
All Gordon Perkins needed to know was that Hot Cakes was no longer a Lancaster family business.
She was the idiot. She’d put time and energy into this. She’d worn her new skirt for this. She’d stayed here instead of going to Dubuque, where she really wanted to be.
For these jackasses. Who would never get it. And whose opinions didn’t matter.
“What’s so funny?” Gordon finally asked.
“That you think my father, who nearly put this company out of business, is someone that any of these men would listen to,” she said. Honestly. “Look, Gordon, your choice is simple—do you want to continue working with Hot Cakes or not. If yes, then you’ll be a major partner in helping us launch our new product. If no, then…” She pushed her chair back and stood. “You’re an idiot. You will never find four men more dedicated to doing the right thing and making their business successful then these four. But they will do it their way. You can come on board or you can miss out.” She gathered her folder and stepped out from behind the table. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve already given you enough of my time today. There’s someplace else I need to be.
Someplace else she should have been a long time ago.
“Now wait,” Gordon protested, coming to his feet. “I didn’t say I wasn’t interested.”
She looked back. “Like I said, I’ve already given you enough time. We can schedule another meeting after you’ve thought about everything.”
“I’d like to do this now. We can hash out the launch plan for our stores in Iowa right now.”
“I want more than Iowa.”
“Fine. All of our stores,” Gordon said.
Whitney smiled. “Great. I’ll have Piper put that on our agenda. For our next meeting.”
As she walked out of the conference room, she thought about the fact that she’d maybe just ruined the relationship with the biggest account Hot Cakes had.
She might have just let her bosses down. Her friends down.
But as she put her folder on her desk and grabbed her purse so she could head to the hospital, she knew that wasn’t true.
She was going to Dubuque. To the hospital to be a friend. Finally.
21
It had been a shit day.
A really shit day.
Right on the heels of the best night of his life.
Whitney was in love with him. They’d reconnected, in every way.
And now his mother was on an operating table and a surgeon was cutting into her chest.
He rolled his neck and shoulders and looked around.
Aiden was holding Zoe. Grant was holding Josie. Dax was holding Jane. Didi was holding Henry. Or maybe Henry was holding Didi. The only two people without someone holding their hand or someone’s arm around them were Cam and his dad.
That was because the person his dad wanted to be holding was the one with her chest split open right now.
And because the person Cam wanted to be holding was in Appleby in a fucking business meeting.
“Wow, you really look like crap.”
He turned to find Piper handing him a muffin and a bottle of water.
“Hey.” He was surprised to see her. Then he shook his head. “You can’t bring a McCaffery a muffin. Buttered Up or homemade are the only kind we’re allowed to eat.”
She nodded. “That’s from Buttered Up.”
He frowned. “But—”
“Paige opened the bakery and I went in to help her. Stayed open until we ran out of stuff. Well, besides the stuff I swiped for you guys.”
He looked around again and noticed that everyone now had food.
Cam looked at Piper. “Wow,” he finally said. “Thank you. For the muffin and for managing the bakery this morning for Zoe and Josie.”
“It was Whitney’s idea.”
His chest tightened painfully. “Oh.” That was… nice. Awesome even. She’d been thinking of him and his family. She’d come up with a way to help.
In Appleby. From a distance.
It wasn’t as if he believed she hadn’t been thinking of him. Or them.
But she wasn’t here.
She’d stood on those steps, wrapped in a sheet, probably still smelling like him and cookie dough, and she’d let him leave without her.
There was a big meeting today. A big meeting that mattered a lot to her. A big account, one she had history with. One she wanted to impress.
And of course it mattered to Hot Cakes, too. But it hadn’t even occurred to her to reschedule.
“You okay?” Piper asked.
“Sure. I mean…” He gave a soft, humorless laugh. “No. Fuck no, even.” He took a breath. “My mom’s in surgery, my dad’s a mess, my sister and brother are scared, and there’s nothing I can do.”
Piper nodded. “And Whitney’s not here.”
He thought about asking what she meant. Or maybe even denying that was on his mind. But Piper had been helping him nurse his hangovers after seeing Whitney for ten years now. She knew him and the other guys better than they knew themselves sometimes.
He finally nodded. “Yeah. And Whitney’s not here.”
Piper sighed and turned to lean on the windowsill next to him.
He twisted the top off the water bottle and took a drink, preparing to hear her say that he should have specifically asked Whitney to come. Or that Whitney was doing what she thought she needed to do by keeping the meeting. Or that Whitney thought she was helping by having the meeting and keeping things going so the guys could all be here with him and his family.
But instead, Piper said, “You’re going to have to decide if you can handle having only part of her.”
Cam frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean… I get it. I get how it feels to be in love with someone who can only give you part of themselves. And, the thing is, that’s not their fault. We know who they are, Cam. They’ve been honest about it. It’s our stupid fault for still wanting to be with them. So—” She looked at him. “You have to decide if you can be happy with only having part of her. Having her be gone, sometimes physically, a lot of the time mentally. Giving her heart and time and energy to something else.”
“That’s how you feel about Ollie?”
“Tell me I’m wrong.”
Cam sighed. “Yeah. Okay. But…” He looked at the floor and thought about what she’d said. “I think you’re wrong
.”
Piper snorted. “I’ve been in the front row for five years, Cam.”
“Right. But… they can learn. They can change. They’re not doing it because they don’t care. They’re doing it because they don’t think they’ll be good at the love thing.”
Piper studied him. “You think that’s what’s going on with Whitney?”
He nodded, realizing it was true. “She’s not here because she doesn’t know what to do here. She doesn’t know how this works. She’s in Appleby because she does understand all of that. She can do that right.”
Piper nodded. “Doing things right is a big thing with her.”
“It is.”
“But, ironically, she’s doing it wrong.”
He nodded. “I know.” But he felt the bitterness and hurt fading as he understood what he was explaining to Piper. “She’s still figuring out the unconditional thing. It’s only been a couple weeks. She’ll get there.”
“Only been a couple of weeks of what?” Piper asked.
“Of being loved like that,” Cam said. “Didi’s the only one who’s ever done it. And I think the unconditional part just kind of takes time to learn and understand.”
Could he give her time? Could he wait while she figured out that when he said “no matter what” he meant it?
Yes. For sure.
“That’s what’s going on with Ollie too?” Piper asked, her eyes finding Ollie across the room.
“I think Ollie is very used to doing things and trusting the rest of us to tell him when he’s off track.”
She nodded.
“And he’s especially used to you telling him when he’s off track,” Cam said.
Piper looked up at him.
He nodded. “Yeah. I think you need to talk to him. Tell him how he’s screwing this up with you.”
She pulled in a deep breath and then looked back at Ollie, blowing it out. “Huh.”
Cam grinned.
The door to the waiting room opened and he turned, hoping it was the doctor.
But it wasn’t.
It was Whitney.
He actually felt a little light-headed as relief coursed through him.
He felt Piper’s hand on his back. “Well, I’ll be damned. Maybe they can learn how to do this.”
He huffed out a laugh and then headed straight for Whitney.
Semi-Sweet On You: Hot Cakes Series Page 30
