~2~"Oh yes nothing beats a fresh shower." Whit sang drying her hair with a towel wearing her bathrobe. "Doesn't this look great on me?" Lex asked posing in front of Whit's full length mirror in her and Dylan's bedroom. Lex was wearing a cute short strapless a-line dress in kelly green. Simple and cheek. Whitney walked straight passed her and right into her circular walk-in closet to debate on an outfit. "I know what you're doing." Lex pointed out. She now found her way in Whitney's jewelry box. Whitney was still searching in her closet. her eyes made contact with an extra long orange camisole to go with the pencil indigo jeans she had in her right hand. Pleased with her choice, she left the closet and once again walked passed Lex. "I'm taking these." Lex pointed to the over sized golden pearls draped around her neck. Whitney's response was the sound of the bathroom door closing. "And I'm taking these too." Lex continued, now referring to Whitney's cuffed armlets, as Lex continued to talk to herself.
"Knock knock..." Dylan announced covering his eyes with his left hand.
"Nobody is nekkie." Lex said who was now trying on Whitney's shoes.She found herself in strappy gold Jimmy Choos.
"Where's Whit?" Lex nodded in the direction of the bathroom then proceeded about her business in front of the mirror.
"I'll just go back downstairs..." Dylan and Whitney lived in a high rise duplex condominium. About 15 minutes away from downtown Seattle.
"Aaaaaaaand where do you think you're going?" Whitney playful asked.
She walked over to Dylan wrapping her arms around his waist. Dylan cupped her faced and kissed her.
"You look gorgeous." He whispered running his hand through her hair as he wrapped his arms around her neck.
"Thank you baby. But I'm just wearing a shirt and pants. Nothing special." Lex rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Hey you're wearing it so its special. Besides you look stunning always." He pecked her lips.
"Well..."
"SH!T Whit. Take the damn compliment and shut up." Dylan coughed.
"I see you Banning. That wasn't funny." Whitney said noticing his smirk and cheap attempt of covering his laughter.
"That wasn't funny because it wasn't a joke." Lex added pointing out as she adjusted "her" dress. "I mean gosh, no one is asking for your kidneys. Just a simple thank you. Do you think you can suck it up and provide that?" Lex continued fluffing her hair. She turned around and blew a kiss at Whitney.
Whitney glared at Lex, whose back was once again facing Whit's. Lex saw through the mirror as she winked at her. Whit finally flipped her the bird.
Whitney then locked eyes with Dylan again. "So I take it you agree?"
"Well she does have a point."
"Whatever. I'm just..."
"Keeping yourself grounded. We know. Jesus, do we know." Lex finished for Whitney. Dylan was now fully laughing.
Whitney sighed and released her hold on Dylan. "Baby are you mad?"
"No. Just realized the two of you are as stupid as Layla and Lainey. No biggie." She shrugged walking to the king size circular bed as she slipped on her brown blanik stilettos.
"Oh are they coming?" Lex asked now applying her make-up. "No I can't do that to Dylan."
"What?" Dylan and Lex said in harmony. "When was this decided?" Lex asked now facing Whitney. "About two seconds ago. Do you have a problem with that?" Whit asked turning her upper body around so that she can look at Lex. "Me? Don't you think you should be asking Mr. Personality if he minds. Since you know you are speaking for him and all." Whitney turned to face Dylan. "Baby you don't mind right? Tell Lex you don't mind coming with us." She now had her arms folded.
Dylan laughed. "Then I'd be lying..."
"SCORE for Dylan! Tell her ass how uncool it is to speak for people."
"You actually called me by my government name. I'm just stunned." Dylan grabbed his heart and Whitney laughed. "Hey. Its not my fault Mr. Personality has a better ambiance than Dylan. I suggest you take it up with the heavenly superiors." Dylan looked at Lex just staggered. "Uh. Maybe I will someday. Well, you ladies have fun."
Dylan walked over to the bed. Leaning in front of Whitney, Dylan used his arms as support. His arms were set like a barricade around Whitney. "So..." Whitney laughed, leaning back propping her arms on top of his. "Yes..." "You're not gonna be too bad right?" Whitney smirked, kicking off her shoes and wrapping her legs around his back, causing him to jerk on the bed.
"Nasty. Ask me to leave, kick me out. SOMETHING." Lex spat, leaving the room unnoticed.
"That depends..."
"On?"
"What will I get."
"Well..." Dylan scooped her up and flipped Whitney causing her to gasp. She was now astraddle to him.
"Wow. Already? You're too easy..." Whitney said as she started unbuckling his belt.
The telephone rang.
Whitney sighed in frustration and collapsed on Dylan's chest. He kissed her forehead, while rubbing her back. "You didn't think we were actually gonna actually..." "No. But I was hopeful for the long shot." Whitney mumbled, cutting him off. Her head was still buried in his chest. "Whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. PHONE!" Lex screamed.
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh." Whitney crawled to the cordless and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Is that attitude I smell Russell?"
"Uh...of course not Dr. Bailey. What can I do..." Whitney laid back down in Dylan's arms.
"Oh someones on my other line. Can you hold on?"
"No. Call them back."
"But its my mother."
"So? Mothers can be called back." Whitney rolled her eyes.
"Ok. I'll call her back."
"I'm gonna need you to start your shift earlier."
"How much earlier?"
"Not much about six hours...."
"That's five in the morning tomorrow."
"You must be thinking out loud. I already knew this. So that's FIVE sharp. Don't be late." Miranda hung up before Whitney could react.
"Bitch..." Whitney sat up and flung the phone. She started rubbing her temples. Dylan also sat up and started rubbing Whitney's neck. "I swear that woman has a friggin radar or something. She smells when I have plans." Whitney grunted. "Like she knows any inclining of a LIFE I try desperately to create outside that damn hospital." Whitney continued ranting.
"Hey I don't want you stressing yourself out." Whitney pouted as Dylan wrapped his arms around her. "I hate her!" Whitney mumbled, burying her head in Dylan's neck. "No you don't. Stop it." Dylan laughed rubbing her back.
"Damnit. Now we can't go out. I understand." Lex said walking into the room again.
"Who says we can't go out?" Whitney asked.
"Cause you have to be up at WORK by five in the morning."
"So...wait you just heard me?"
"Oh no. I was listening to your entire conversation from downstairs." Whitney got off the bed to slide back into her pumps. "Of course you did. Being typical nosy ass you." "That's right boo. Here wear this mocha belt over that shirt. It will bring out the pumps." Whitney snatched the belt from Lex. "I don't need your half cent imput on fashion. Considering everything you're wearing is mine." Whitney finished putting on the belt. "Correction sweetheart. Everything on me is now mine." Lex winked. Whitney smirked. "Lets get out of here before I decide to kill you."
Whitney walked over to Dylan and kissed him. "See you later."
She caressed the side of his face. "Have fun."
"I will..." She affectionately gazed into his eyes.
"Yeah. I'll make sure she does." Lex winked grabbing Whitney's hand as they left.
>*<
“Anybody here?” “Just me. I’m in the kitchen.” “Where’s Ali?” “She went out with Hellstrom.” “Mmm…that means you pissed her off.” “Why the hell do you always assume that?” “Cause I know you. Now tell me what happened.” “Well the evening started off on a good note. I made dinner…candles we sat under the fire…you know the romantic setting all chicks love.” “Uh huh. Do you mind fast forwarding to the part where you messed up.” “Well after dinner I told her how much she means to me. And how important she is then I pulled out a velvet box. She freaked out before even seeing what was inside. When she finally did she threw the box in my face.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah that’s what I said!”
“What was in the box?”
“A key to my penthouse across town.”
Hugh just shook his head looking at his friend Fox perplexed. “How stupid are you?”
“What?” Fox shrugged. Hugh folded his arms. “You seriously don’t see what you did was wrong?”
“No! Ali’s been telling me for months how badly she wants our relationship to go to the next level.”
“And a key to the penthouse you don’t even live in..." "I do live there." Fox corrected. "Fine. So giving Ali a key to the penthouse that you
sometimes live in, symbolizes the next level?!"
"Yeah. Ok genius what did she mean then?”
“Marriage fool…” Todd added walking into the kitchen sorting out the mail. “See Even Manning is acting like he has half a brain.” Fox ran his hand through his hair. “No. Ali and I are on the same page about marriage. We both don’t want it.”
“Translation. Ali only agreed to what you wanted because she thought you were gonna suddenly wake up and realize how amazing she is.” Todd said batting his eyes. “And cannot live another day without her.” Todd continued grabbing his heart. “Wow I can’t believe I’m going to say this but Todd’s right.” Hugh added. “Be still my heart. You agree with me? I...I...I need a moment.” Todd grabbed the island and bowed his head.
Nicholas Foxworth Crane and Hugh Hughes have been friends for as long as they both can remember. They went to the same boarding schools all throughout Europe. Unlike Fox, Hugh didn't come from money...well at least not biologically anyway. Hugh discovered his true parentage around early teens. As devastating a blow that was it ironically transformed into such a relief. All the guilt Hugh felt about never feeling a genuine connection with his mother or father...yeah so he thought, now suddenly made sense. This accidental discovery solidified Hugh and Fox's friendship. Fox felt the same abandonment issues for he was the only child that was shipped off. His mother Ivy, was too wrapped up in his baby sis Francine, probably molding her into mini Ivy. His father Julian, and his grandfather Alistair just saw dollar signs when it came to his older brother Ethan. Basically there was no 'use' for little Fox. Despite the circumstances, Fox feels like the winner. And he so is. Their other bud, Todd Manning isn't exactly the poster child of the greatest upbringing known to man either. Todd's choices were limited. His 'options' were adoptive dad Peter Manning and bio dad Victor Lord. He never knew his mother or was just too young to remember her. Anyone who knew either is like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Naturally, this crappy upbringing that all three gents acquired bonded them...making them friends for life.
“Stop being an ass. And start getting through to your friend.” Todd looked at Hugh. “Why is he suddenly my friend? You knew him longer.” “That would explain why Ali stormed off…” Todd laughed. “Ya think? After three years of dating her she gets a key??” “Damnit you’re right. Now I really have to ask her…” “Hells no you don’t.” Todd cut in. “I agree. That would only make Aliza feel like the proposal is coming from a place of pity…” “Can you JUST turn off lawyer for like two seconds??? I promise you won’t die.” Todd pointed out. "If I did that who will clean up all your messes Todd?"
“Ok how do I fix this?” “You don’t. She’ll cool off. Screw it.” Todd shrugged. “You’re not helping Manning…” Hugh started as Todd cut him off. “Oh come on. You and I both know Ali doesn’t do mad. Not for long anyway especially when it comes to her Foxy poo so stop sweating bullets.” “I’m not sweating bullets.” Hugh laughed. “Yeah right.”
>*<
“WHOOOO! Isn’t this fabulous darling!!!” Lex shouted in Whit’s ear.
“I guess….”
“LIGHTEN up damnit!!! WHOOO!” Lex spun Whitney around. They were on the dance floor at the latest club to open in downtown Seattle.
“Lex you’re too much for me. I’m gonna go sit down….” Lex waved Whitney off as she wondered off. Whitney found booth.
“OH thank god.” Whit said, finally able to rest her feet.
“Found my earring…you’re not Jeffery.”
“Oh I’m sorry. I had no idea this was an occupied booth. Hope you find your boyfriend.” Whitney was about to get up.
“Jeffery isn’t my boyfriend. Just my best friend. My boyfriend is a clueless son of a bitch.” Whitney stopped moving.
“Not that he even cares that a completely hot guy is my best friend. He’s not even the least bit jealous. Jeff constantly tells me I should just give up on my boyfriend. Wow…I must sound like a complete lunatic.” Whitney smiled.
“No you don’t. Just upset. Everyone gets upset. Have you tried talking to your boyfriend?”
“No. If I did, I would kill him probably. Just stormed off. He didn’t even come after me.”
“Well that sucks.” “It does. But that wasn’t even the worst part of my night. Tonight was my anniversary with my boyfriend. So I thought he was gonna ask me to marry him…”
“And I take it he didn’t?”
“No instead I got a key to his penthouse he doesn’t even live in.”
“WOW what a moron.”
“Who you telling girl!”
“Men…they’ll never get it apparently. So where is your best friend?”
“I have no idea…probably on the dance floor or harassing some poor girl.” Whitney laughed.
“He sound like the male version of my best friend. I’m Whitney by the way. My friends call me Whit.” Whitney extended her hand across the table.
“I’m Aliza and my friends call me
Ali.”
“Well it is a pleasure to meet you Ali.”
"Like wise..."
"I KNEW I saw you're big ass head from the other side. Scoot over." Lainey ordered.
"What happened to never partying before a big shift hypocrite."
"Whatever. Guess who's here?"
"Who?"
"J.T. He said he was in town visiting a friend. He's on the dance floor with Lex but I think my brother hired him..."
"Wait you know J.T. Hellstrom?" Ali asked.
"Where are my manners???"
"You never had any boo." Lainey said.
"Funny. This is Ali, Ali this is Lainey."
"J.T. knows my brother Neil...."
"Wow you're Neil Winter's baby sis?"
"Correct. I take it you're the friend he's visiting?" Ali nodded.
"Talk about a small world." Whitney added.