Scarlett smiled. The Tornado was Keely’s nickname for Henry Lymon. Scarlett had griped to her friend on numerous occasions about Henry and his cutthroat style so Keely declared the man a violent, destructive force because Henry claimed everything in his path.
“At the same time,” Keely continued, “you never consulted Wynn. Although you acted in the best interest of your client and met your professional obligations, you totally shut Wynn out of the mix. Worse, you never bothered to clue him in during all the weeks that have passed.”
“I know. I’m guilty of a lie by omission. Not telling Wynn was bad enough, but then I never told him. Too much time passed and when he learned, he blew a gasket. All he could see was that I had betrayed him.” She paused. “I saw it in his eyes, Keely. The trust that we’d built together crumbled. It was like witnessing an earthquake’s destruction in slow motion.”
Tears welled in her eyes again. “I have never made myself vulnerable to any man until Wynn. I don’t know if he can forgive me. Or if he’ll even try.”
Keely took her hand and squeezed it. “He can. First, though, you’re going to have to forgive yourself. Once you do that, then you need to make things right with Wynn.”
More tears cascaded down her cheeks. “Oh, it gets messier, Keely.”
“How?”
Scarlett shook her head. “Because I’m pregnant.”
Keely’s jaw dropped. “You’re . . . but I thought you were on the pill.”
“I think that case of food poisoning screwed with my birth control.”
Her friend looked hesitant. “How do you feel about this, Scarlett?”
“My biological clock has been screaming at me lately. I’ve wanted a baby, even more so since I found out you and Mac were expecting. What about everything I just told you?”
“First, I’ll assume Wynn is the father.”
“He is.”
“Then you need to tell him right away. He’s a good man, Scarlett. He’ll be a terrific father to this baby.”
“He’s never told me he loves me, Keely. He’s lost all trust in me.”
Keely waved a hand in the air. “He does love you. Anyone can see that by the way he looks at you. Have you told him you love him? I’ll bet you haven’t but I know you do. Scarlett, you can’t keep this from him.”
“I don’t want him to feel cornered by the news. Wynn is so honorable. He’ll want to marry me.”
“He loves you, Scarlett. Loves you. And you love him. Sure, you have this ugly thing jammed between you now, keeping you apart. I say move the damned obstacle. Fling it away. Because you do not want to throw away what you have with this man.”
Scarlett didn’t have to think about it any longer. Keely’s words spoke to her heart. “You’re right. I can’t let anything stand between us. I do love him. I’d be miserable without him. I want him in my life. In our baby’s life.”
Keely patted her hand. “You’ll need to promise to work on communication. Not keep anything from one another ever again.”
“I’m so lucky to have you as my best friend.”
Keely bit into a macaroon. “You’re stuck with me for life. Let’s finish off dessert and then order in for dinner. It’s a Friday night and every restaurant’s going to be crowded by now. You need sustenance if you’re going to talk to Wynn.”
“Pizza?” Scarlett asked hopefully.
“As long as there’s no pepperoni on it. It gives me terrible heartburn.”
“Dr. Lennon mentioned I’d be getting heartburn.” Scarlett grabbed another macaroon. “Okay, Mrs. Randall. Spill all of your first trimester secrets.”
◆◆◆
Wynn left the meeting, having learned that he had a lot of homework to do. He understood the ins and outs of the numbers but personnel would be key. He would need to surround himself with skilled, talented people to make both his charity foundation and a future production company a success.
It didn’t surprise him that no one mentioned Scarlett’s big career change once he entered the room. The only time her name came up was when the RCDS team decided to move forward with a time travel sci-fi project and Rhett asked Jayla to contact Scarlett to draw up the contracts for the two writers they would purchase the screenplay from.
He got into the Spitfire and, for a moment, thought he caught a lingering scent of Scarlett’s perfume. He gripped the steering wheel and closed his eyes, savoring the faint smell of vanilla. It faded and he started the car. It was a little after three. Though the thought of seeing her caused his stomach to churn, Wynn couldn’t wait any longer. He drove to her house, practicing aloud what his apology should entail.
Nothing sounded right, either ringing hollow or lacking in sincerity. He gave up trying to plan what he would say and decided an impromptu speech from the heart would be the only way to go.
One where Wynn told Scarlett he loved her.
Nothing else mattered. Nothing.
He pulled up to the curb and killed the engine, getting out quickly. If he delayed, he might lose his courage. What had to be said would probably tumble out but at least she would know how he felt and how he’d bungled everything.
Wynn rang the doorbell and waited. When Scarlett didn’t answer, he rang it again. After two minutes, he decided either she wasn’t home or she’d looked out and seen it was him and decided to stay behind closed doors.
Taking out his phone, Wynn started to call her and stopped. He slipped his cell back into his pocket. He couldn’t apologize, much less declare his love, over the phone. Scarlett deserved a face-to-face conversation, one he hoped would end in forgiveness and a kiss that would stop traffic.
He returned to his car and sat for two hours. Scarlett never appeared. He would have to leave. As much as he wanted to stay, he’d promised Del he’d attend Rob’s exhibition tonight. Wynn needed to get home to shower and change. Traffic would already be a nightmare,
