The next few weeks went by, and Whitney and Kevin started a relationship. They decided to take things slowly, not pressuring one another to rush into anything they were not ready to do. Besides, it made it pretty difficult to keep total tabs on one another due to their professional obligations. Whitney was at the end point of completing "Waiting to Exhale" and producing and performing on its soundtrack. With that came promotional interviews and appearances. Kevin as well worked on a couple of big films of his own and writing music. The relationship was long-distance, as Whitney had spent a great amount of time in Phoenix and Kevin in between L.A and Santa Barbara. For the first month, they had to settle on communicating by phone as there was little to no time to visit one another; especially without anyone noticing them together.
"Hey baby," Whitney crooned into the phone to her beau after a long hard day on the set. "Hey darlin'" Kevin greeted her. They proceed to tell each other about their respective days on the set. "I miss you so much Kev." Whitney sighed. He had already given her a new lease on life. She was starting to feel like all is right when she was with him "When can I actually see you again?"
Kevin doodled on a piece of paper in front of him. "I know what you mean, it's killing me too." Kevin told her. "If I didn't have to be on set every damn second, I would fly to you right now," he told her. "But I promise baby, next weekend I will be on the next thing smoking to Phoenix to see you. We can even have another picnic on some of the awesome mountains they have there." He told her. "And maybe…continue where we picked off at on our little escapade last month." Whitney gave a sultry giggle. "I don't think I'll ever forget that night. You bring out the freak in me boy." Kevin laughed. "I can't help but to have it come out. You are just too hard to resist." "Hmmm is that so?" she asked as she sprawled out on her bed. "It is so," Kevin told her. "As a matter of fact, what do you have on right now?" Whitney smiled, loving the sexy game that Kevin brought up. "Hmmm, just an over-sized t-shirt, and some little shorts."
"How little are they?"
"Oh, they are really, really little."
"Mmmmm, you are such a tease Whit."
"And guess what Kev?" she whispered while smiling. "I'm not wearing a bra either."
"Oh God." Kevin fell out of his chair in lust. Forget the plane. Kevin felt like he could get to her faster on foot after hearing that.
"CeCe!" Whitney jumped into the arms of one of her best friends in the industry, the gospel legend Pricilla "CeCe" Winans. "I'm so glad you are here girl." CeCe could only chuckle at her crazy friend. Whitney could be wild and crazy, which brought CeCe out of her usual cool and calm demeanor. Whitney and her brother/ group mate Benjamin "BeBe" Winans often teased her, calling her the "accidental star" because she wasn't a huge fan of the spotlight, paparazzi and attention that she got with being a popular singer. She was more behind the scenes, and enjoyed her time around the house than being on the red carpet. Whitney had become friends with her and her brother BeBe many years ago. The three were a trio, although Whitney hung out more with CeCe down the line. They had become so close, that Whitney called CeCe her sister and prayer warrior.
CeCe came to visit with Whitney and to record a duet that they would be doing for the "Waiting to Exhale" soundtrack called "Count On Me".
"Hey girl, I've missed your crazy butt so much!" CeCe said as she hugged her back. After she came in Whitney's rented Scottsdale house, and put down her things. Whitney soon wasted no time in dragging her off to a private appointment for them to get massages, facials and manicures at one of Arizona's finest resorts. The two caught up on everything that was happening in each other's lives. Whitney reported that she requested the divorce to be expedited, and that she had gained full custody of Bobbi Kristina, while Bobby would be getting some holiday and weekend visits, if necessary. He also would not be receiving any financial handouts from her ever again. She told CeCe how excited she actually was to start a new life and how although she was sad and disappointed that her marriage didn't work out, that leaving Bobby was turning out to be one of her best personal decisions yet.
"I'm starved," Whitney said once they finished up with the spa retreat. "I see your appetite hasn't gone anywhere." CeCe teased. "That'll never happen. And if it does, that's when you start worrying." Whitney winked at her. "You know, I've been thinking about In-And-Out all day long. You know they don't have that back in Tennessee where I live." CeCe told her. "Perfect. That'll work for me." Whitney disengaged the alarm on her Range Rover and they headed back from Paradise Valley.
"So much for five-star dining," CeCe laughed as they took out burgers, fries and chocolate shakes out of their bags back at the house. "Junk food is everything," Whitney replied as she swirled some fries in ketchup and popped them in her mouth. "It sure is," CeCe agreed as she took a huge bite out of her burger. As they ate, CeCe studied her. "I'm really happy to see how good you are doing sis." She finally told her. "I had to admit, I thought you were really gonna be down and out after getting this divorce, but you actually seem happier than I've seen you in a really long time." Whitney looked up at her. "Well sis, I really am. Part of it is because I'm glad to be done with so much that I had to put up with in that marriage to Bobby. And although I'm glad that he gave me Bobbi Kris, I wouldn't wish what I went through on my worst enemy." CeCe nodded in agreement. Whitney took a deep breath and looked over at CeCe with a jovial look on her face. "What? Is there more you wanna tell me?" she asked. Whitney was hesitant to tell CeCe about Kevin, but she knew it wasn't fair to keep everything from her for this long. "Okay….so if I tell you something, promise you won't judge me or make me feel bad?" CeCe gave her puzzled look. "Judge not lest ye be judged. You know I'm not of that kinda Christian." She told her. "Okay." Whitney paused. "I'm seeing someone. Someone that I've known for a long time now and he has turned my world upside down." "Who? You know you have to tell me." CeCe was dying for the news. "I'm dating Kevin Costner." Whitney said before taking a sip of her drink. CeCe's eye's became wide. "Kevin Costner?! Oh my God, girl for how long? I want all the details!" Whitney went ahead and spilled the details of how things got hot and heavy during The Bodyguard and how they have recently reunited.
"Don't tell me prayer doesn't work. I mean don't get me wrong sis, what you and Kevin did was wrong due to where you were in that point in your lives. However, I'm glad to see that you all were able to reconnect and things are looking good now that you both are single." CeCe told her. "I have to admit that Kevin seems to be nice. He's handsome, seems to have manners unlike someone we used to know. Down-to earth and he knows God." "He's all that and more CeCe." Whitney told her. "I'm starting to really fall for him." "Awww girl I'm so happy for you." She gave Whitney a quick hug. "Tell me this. Does it matter that he is White?" Whitney shook her head. "No, not at all. I don't even think about it really. I just love how he treats me like a lady. Like I worth something. Plus he's so fun and trusting. Overall, Kev's just a really cool guy." CeCe smiled. "No wonder you're not really sweating this whole divorce. You have already moved on to bigger and better things. And rightfully so. You are always doing things to keep everybody else in your life happy, so I'm really glad that you found someone who can do the same for you for once." Whitney tried hard not to tear up from her friend's kind words. "Thanks CeCe, that means a lot to have your support for everything that I do. I love you." "That's what I'm here for. I'll always be here for you no matter what. You're my sister, girl. Just like the song says, you can count on me." Whitney smiled and promised CeCe that she would get them all together so they could all get to know Kevin better soon enough.
Fueled by their conversation and closeness, Whitney and CeCe went into the studio and quickly cranked out the classic hit "Count On Me" which became a favorite on the radio.