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His family knew Janna as his high school sweetheart. When they found out that things had ended between them, his mother had been the only one who pressed him for details. She was concerned about how withdrawn he’d become. Months later, when they saw Janna on the cover of Vogue, they’d put together bits and pieces about their breakup, no one knowing just how devastated he’d been. It wasn’t until years later that he had told his older brother the whole story about how she had left, disregarding their plans in favor of her career.
“Oh, this is absolutely beautiful.” His mother gushed over the cake that he set on the center island in her state-of-the-art kitchen. A cook’s dream space, the room consisted of top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, marble countertops and every cooking gadget imaginable.
Austin went to the refrigerator for a bottle of water.
“Don’t even think about going in there without washing your hands.”
Austin shook his head. How often had he and his brother heard those words growing up?
As he washed his hands in the sink, his mind drifted back to Janna. Long hair that he wanted to run his fingers through, seductive eyes, high cheekbones and lips that were made for kissing were at the forefront of his mind. Seeing her gorgeous face and enticing body on the covers of numerous magazines hadn’t done her justice. The woman was absolutely breathtaking. He still wondered how he’d been able to walk away from her this afternoon. Then again, he knew how. All he had to do was think about how she had tossed his love away and crushed his heart.
His high school sweetheart, she was the woman he had planned to spend the rest of his life with. Once he became a senior—a year ahead of her—they’d created a five-year plan. It included them getting married once he graduated from college and started his career. He would work while she finished her degree in fashion. Their plan had been solid, or so he’d thought.
“Austin. Austin?”
He glanced up to find his mother staring at him, concern in her eyes.
“What’s on your mind? I called your name several times. Is it work? Your dad told me the negotiations regarding that New York condominium project have been a little stressful.”
Glad to have his thoughts steered away from Janna and what should have been, Austin grabbed a bottle of water.
“Yeah, we’re getting close to an agreement, but it’ll take a trip out there to finalize everything.” As the chief financial officer for their family’s company, Reynolds Development, he was used to tough negotiations. After graduating from college, despite already being a millionaire, he had joined the family business and taken the company to the next level with his negotiating abilities.
“Please tell me this trip is not going to cause you to miss the anxiety and depression awareness benefit Saturday. I want my whole family to be there.”
“I’ll be back in Atlanta Friday evening.” He hated attending formal events, but this cause was close to his mother’s heart. Shunned and disowned by her wealthy family for marrying Austin’s father, who at the time was a carpenter, Sheila had attempted suicide when Austin was twelve. For years, she had suffered from depression. With the help of therapy, she’d grown stronger. Once they moved from New Jersey to Georgia, she became an advocate for others suffering from depression. It was her own form of healing.
“I know Zoe is looking forward to the gala. We went shopping the day before yesterday for our dresses. You’re not going to want to leave her side when you see hers,” his mother said, interrupting his thoughts.
Oh, great. Seeing Janna had made him totally forget about his broken engagement, which spoke volumes about his lack of feelings for Zoe. His mother absolutely adored her and had already considered her the daughter she’d always longed for.
“I hate to tell you this, but I guess you’re going to find out eventually. This afternoon Zoe and I called off our engagement.”
“Oh, no!” The pained expression on his mother’s face sent a stab of guilt straight to his heart.
“Why? What happened?” She set down the large spoon she was using to stir what looked to be collard greens. His mother was the only person he knew who cooked large meals at least three times per week. “No, don’t tell me. It was you again, wasn’t it? I had hoped you were finally ready to settle down. How many hearts are you going to break before you understand that you can’t go around dating a woman for years, or in this case asking a woman to marry you, when you don’t love her?”
“What’s going on?” His father, Patrick, walked into the kitchen and set his car keys on the counter before planting a kiss on Sheila’s cheek. “What’s with the scowl?” he asked her before turning his attention to Austin. He and his father were about the same height, but Patrick was a tad thicker around the waist.
“Your son...” Sheila started but stopped, her scowl growing more intense.
“I just told Mom that Zoe and I called off our engagement.”
His father shook his head and clasped a hand on Austin’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Austin knew his dad well enough to know what he was thinking, and he knew that at some point in the very near future, probably when Sheila wasn’t around, there would be a man-to-man talk. Neither of his parents could say anything that he hadn’t already thought about. But his mother was definitely right in saying that he had to stop this. It wasn’t fair to the women involved, and it wasn’t fair to his family, especially his mother, who had worried over the years that he still wasn’t over Janna. Before today, he was able to blow off her concern. But after seeing Janna at the bakery, he wondered if she wasn’t far off in her assessment.
Chapter 3 (#ulink_562e14ba-bee5-5bda-8ef9-04259ab79d87)
Macy handed Janna a few more hairpins. “Thanks for attending the End Depression fundraiser with me since Derek couldn’t.” They were riding in a chauffeured car while Janna pinned her sister’s hair up.
“I’m glad you told me about it,” Janna said, anchoring another one of Macy’s curls in an updo.
“Me, too, especially since you were willing to donate to the silent auction.”
Janna was passionate about working with young girls and teens on self-esteem and self-care. When Macy told her about the silent auction, Janna couldn’t wait to put together a package to auction off. A theme—a day in the life of a model—immediately came to mind. The winner, between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one, would receive an opportunity to spend at least two days with Janna, who would give tips on everything from makeup to personal style. They would also receive a pampering day, including a makeover, as well as a mini shopping spree.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of bids for your donation.”
“I hope so. I love what the charity is doing, and if my small token can help them to their goal, all the better.”
Janna removed the last pin from between her lips and stuck it into her sister’s long hair, hoping they would hold the updo in place. Macy had missed her hair appointment and Janna was attempting to create a hairstyle that would show off the gorgeous jewelry her brother-in-law had bought for his wife.
“Oh, by the way, I saw that Phoenix is going to be in a made-for-TV movie with R.J. Tulane,” Macy said.
Anger boiled inside Janna at the mention of her birth mother’s name and she pushed the back of Macy’s head forward.
“Ow!” Her sister turned and glared at her. “What’s your problem?”
“Why do you always do that?”
“Do what?” Macy rubbed the back of her head.
“Ruin a conversation by mentioning that woman! We weren’t even talking about actresses and you manage to bring her up,” Janna ground out between gritted teeth. “What she does has nothing to do with me. I hate it when you and Iris mention her.”
“Janna, you have no idea how painful it was for me to find out that even after I was grown, my mother wanted nothing to do with me. You have an opportunity to—”
“No. I already know what you’re going to say. Just because Phoenix wants a relationship with me, that doesn’t mean I want anything to do with her. The day she signed away her parental rights is the day she stopped being my mother. Mama Adel is the only mother I have and the only one I need.”
They rode in silence. Janna hated that she’d snapped, especially knowing this was a sensitive topic for Macy. The three of them might have lived in the same foster home, but their backgrounds were very different. Iris had been fourteen when her mother was killed, while Macy’s mother had been in and out of jail. She had forfeited her rights when Macy was very young. And then there was Janna. She’d been the only one of the three to actually be adopted by Mama Adel, their foster mother, after Macy and Iris had gone off to college.
“Janna, honey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Janna sighed. “I know. I shouldn’t have gone off on you. I just don’t want to talk about her.”
For the past few months, Phoenix had been showing up at different events where she knew Janna would be. So far, Janna had been able to avoid her, but she had a feeling that the rumors she’d recently heard were true. An A-list actress, Phoenix had been approached to do a reality show, and Janna had a feeling that her birth mother might try to get her involved. The media didn’t know their connection and Janna wanted to keep it that way.
“Can we forget I said anything?” Macy bumped shoulders with Janna playfully, a stupid grin on her face.
Janna shook her head and smiled. “Yeah, yeah, I guess. Let’s just go in here and have some fun.”
The car pulled up to the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown.
“Hmm, there’s a lot more media here than I expected,” Macy said when the driver opened the car door and they stepped out.
“Janna!”
“Janna, over here!” Paparazzi called out her name, snapping photo after photo.
“Why do I have a feeling they knew you were coming?” Macy murmured. “I’ll meet you inside.”
Janna stopped, smiled and posed without responding to her sister. She was sure Nelson had leaked to the press that she would be there. He never missed an opportunity to keep her in the media, claiming it was great for business. She just hoped Phoenix didn’t show up.
Turning from left to right, she indulged the small group of photographers, knowing that it was all part of the job.
“Who are you wearing this evening, Janna?”
“Valentino,” she answered a reporter who held a small recorder out to her. She glanced down at the red, one-shouldered gown, loving the way the satin material gathered on her left side and fell in waves to the floor. She responded to several additional questions regarding her jewelry and the fundraiser.
As part of her agreement with the designer of the gown, she needed to get as much exposure as possible. She had a contract with them that stated that she would wear at least three of their evening gowns this year and so far, this was gown number two.
After posing for a few more photos and signing a couple of autographs, she made her way into the building. This was her first time at the arts center, and it was as impressive inside as it was outside.
The event was being held in the galleria, the main entrance for the symphony hall. The two-level space with high ceilings and art deco fixtures looked more like a ballroom than a foyer.
“Ma’am, would you like a glass of champagne?” a waiter walking around with a tray of long stemware asked when he slowed.
“Yes, thank you.”
Janna sipped from the glass as she strolled around the open area. Round tables filled the center of the space, while the items for the silent auction were set up on eight-foot-long tables along the perimeter of the room.
“Hello, beautiful.” Janna turned to find a handsome gentleman with greenish-gray eyes and a large smile surrounded by a well-groomed mustache and goatee standing next to her. “Has anyone ever told you that you look like that model?”
Janna tried not to laugh, especially since she’d been asked that question often.
“Yes, I’ve been told that on a number of occasions.” She participated in small talk, noticing immediately that he’d had too much to drink. She discreetly looked around for her sister.
“I’m Timothy Cowden III, by the way.” He placed the glass, half-filled with a dark liquid, in his left hand and extended his right hand to her.
“Janna Morgan. Nice to meet you.”
“So you are that model. You fooled me,” he slurred and chuckled. “Can’t say tha-that I ever met a model before. Can I get you another drink? Or maybe we can take a stroll around.”
Janna startled when Timothy ran the back of his fingers along her bare arm. She jerked away from him, cringing at how creepy his touch felt.
“Excuse me. I need to go find someone.” Anyone, she thought, and walked away as quickly as her five-inch sandals would carry her. The strappy red stilettos matched her dress but definitely weren’t made for fast walking.
When it seemed she was far enough away from Timothy, she slowed and handed her empty glass to a passing waiter. Seeing Macy across the room, she headed in her direction but stopped abruptly.
“Oh, my... Janna?” The older woman’s smile quickly appeared. “It is you!”
Janna smiled and accepted a hug from the woman she hadn’t seen in years. “Mrs. Reynolds, it’s so nice to see you,” she said to Austin’s mother, feeling a little awkward but sincerely glad to see her. “It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has, and please call me Sheila now that you’re all grown up. You’re even lovelier than I remember.” She stepped back but didn’t release Janna’s arms. “Patrick and I are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments.”
Heat rose to Janna’s cheeks. She had always liked Austin’s mother. Not just because she’d often told her how cute or sweet she was, but because she was so warm and loving. Growing up in foster care, she went through a period when she felt unlovable, especially knowing that her parents hadn’t wanted her. But Mama Adel had always made her feel cherished.
“Have you seen Austin yet?” Sheila asked, interrupting her thoughts.
Panic rioted inside Janna. She hadn’t considered that Austin would be there. When they were younger, he’d hated attending anything formal, which was one reason she had been shocked to see him in a suit the other day.
“I’m sure he would love to see you.”
Janna shook her head. “I wish I could be that sure,” she said quietly. Their last face-to-face hadn’t gone well, and she didn’t think she could take another rejection from him. “Mrs. Rey—I mean, Sheila, Austin and I didn’t part on the best of terms. I want you to know that I didn’t mean to...”
Sheila squeezed Janna’s hand; her gentle eyes and easy smile relieved her of some of her anxiousness.
“That was a long time ago. Talk to him, sweetheart.” She pulled Janna close and gave her another hug. “My son can be extremely stubborn, but you two were once very close and I think he can use a friend. Promise me that you’ll at least say hello to him.”
Janna nodded and they talked a few minutes longer before Sheila was summoned away.
Instead of catching up with Macy, Janna headed to the bar. If there was a chance that she was going to run into Austin, a little liquid courage might not hurt.
* * *
Austin roamed around the perimeter of the room, sipping from his glass of scotch as he perused the items up for bid for the silent auction. He was more of a behind-the-scenes type of guy. Events like this made him uncomfortable. But for his mother, there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do. Besides, it was for a good cause. From the literature given to him when he walked in, he’d learned that more than 350 million people suffered from depression and the annual financial cost of the disorder to the US was mind-blowing. Of course he wanted to do what he could to help the cause, especially since their family had first-hand experience of the effects of the disorder.
He slowed as he approached the next table of donations. He had already bid on a 2009 cabernet and an abstract painting done by a local artist, but the item he was currently standing in front of totally caught him off guard. A Day in the Life of a Model. What surprised him even more was seeing that it had been donated by Janna.
Reading the sheet that explained the donation, Austin decided to place a bid. A friend of his had lost his wife months earlier, and their sixteen-year-old daughter was scheduled to attend prom that following weekend. With the recent loss of her mother, T’Keyah wasn’t interested in prom or much else. If he won the bid, the gift would be perfect for her.
He set his glass on the table and quickly filled out the sheet, tripling the starting bid.
Knowing that Janna had donated made him wonder if she would be attending the event. As soon as the thought popped into his head, Austin’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of her across the room speaking to his mother. She gave a whole new meaning to the term breathtaking. She was easily the most beautiful woman in the room, and the red dress that hugged her hourglass figure should have come with a warning sign—Too Hot to Handle.
“Wow, so that’s Janna Morgan all grown up and in the flesh, huh?” Malcolm Reynolds, Austin’s older brother by two years, said when he walked up to Austin. They both stood staring as Janna stopped and talked to a few people, even posing for a picture with a young woman. “I drove by a billboard on the way here, an advertisement for perfume. I can honestly say the picture didn’t do her justice. And considering the number of guys hovering around her, I’d say I’m not the only man who has noticed.”
Jealousy crept through Austin’s body and his hand tightened around his glass of scotch when Timothy Cowden, the son of one of their father’s colleagues, grabbed Janna by the elbow to keep her from walking away. Austin wanted to snatch the man by his shirt collar and toss his ass outside. But who could blame the guy for buzzing around her like a moth drawn to a flame when she looked that hot? Besides the fact she was dressed to the nines, her hair was piled haphazardly on top of her head with a few tendrils framing her face, making her look sexier than any woman had the right to look. And then she smiled. Damn, he’d missed that smile that lit up her entire face.
Frustration coursed through his veins and he glanced away, mentally shaking himself. He wanted to be mad at her, wanted to hate her for the way she left him without as much as a note or telephone call. The last thing he should be doing was standing there, salivating over how amazing she looked and remembering how much her smile once affected him.
When his gaze returned to where she was standing, he watched as she pulled away from Timothy, her long, graceful stride taking her to the bar.
“I know you still have some issues that you haven’t dealt with when it comes to her, but if I were you—”
“Well, you’re not me, so you can just keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself.”
“Touchy, touchy.”
“I need another drink.” Austin walked away, ignoring his brother’s laughter.
It’s going to be a long night.
Austin walked up to the bar, where Janna was now standing. Her intoxicating scent of roses and baby powder sent a jolt of awareness to a certain part of his body.
“Hello, Janna,” he said when she glanced at him, surprise in her eyes. Just as quick, something else showed. Fear? Regret? Whatever it was, he was sure it had everything to do with the way he had treated her the other day. Instead of apologizing for his rudeness, he said, “Can I get you something else to drink?” He nodded at the semi-empty glass in her hand.
“Are you sure you want to do that? The last time I was near you and had a drink in my hand, it didn’t end well,” she said, the sultriness of her voice a reminder that she was all grown up now.
