The next morning, at ten sharp, Molly made her grand entrance in an expensive designer suit. Skip had assembled everyone just minutes before and now handed the mic to Worth for a little introduction. When Molly held it up to her own smiling face, she thanked everyone for all their hard work and talked a little about the things she had in mind for the future of the magazine. Before handing the mic back to Skip for a few housekeeping items, she invited the staff to join her in the conference room for coffee and pastries over the next few hours and told them they could ask questions as she got to know each of them a little better.
On the way, Donna whispered to Jessica, "She seems really nice. Not at all what I expected."
"She does, doesn't she?" Jessica replied with intentional vagueness.
"To think of all that poor woman went through," Donna gushed. "Well, not poor, obviously, but you know what I mean—her little boy falsely accused, faking his death, traveling for years to keep their identities a secret. Yikes!"
"Yes, but they've done well despite all that," Jessica whispered back. In the conference room, Jessica stayed with Donna so as not to raise further suspicions. Molly had agreed with Worth's wishes to keep her distance from Jessica until he could make an official announcement to the staff.
As they walked back to their desks, Donna asked about Jessica's plans for the weekend.
"I think I may go away for the weekend," she said evasively. "I need a getaway after all that's happened. How about you? Do you and Eric have anything on your agenda?"
Donna wiggled her eyebrows up and down. "We're going away too, actually. He says it's going to be a 'very special weekend', so I can't help wondering…" She stopped walking and frowned.
"What?" Jessica gasped, her eyes widening with revelation. "You think he might pop the question?" This is a surprise. We were together for years and never even came close. They've known each other a few months and bingo.
Donna bit her lip in dismay. "I'm sorry, Jessica, I shouldn't have said anything. I get so excited talking about Eric that I sometimes forget that you and he, well, and now you don't have anyone and I do and—"
Jessica shook her head with a little laugh. "Stop right there. You have no reason to be sorry. If he proposes, I couldn't be happier for both of you." She winked at her friend. "I may just have something to tell one of these days too. Not as exciting as an engagement, of course, but still good news."
Donna squealed with delight. "Have you started seeing someone finally? Who? What's his name? You've got to spill, sister."
"All in good time. I'm not ready to say any more just yet."
"Well, Eric and I will also be happy for you and your good news and your possibly-existent new fellow," Donna said as she started back to her desk. "I'd better get to work if I'm going to get out of here at a decent time. I'm hoping to sneak out early."
"Me too. Let's do it!" Because soon, we're both going to be doing it. You, with a whip, maybe; me, without, Jessica thought with an inner smile.
Working through lunch, Donna and Jessica headed out the door together at three o'clock and left the garage, heading in opposite directions. Jessica drove to her apartment to do some last-minute packing before Worth picked her up for the airport. Just as she zipped her bag, a happy tone came from her cell phone that identified the caller.
"Hi, Mom, what's up?" Jessica said as she sat on the bed.
"I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with Chet, me, and his family next week? His kids surprised him with a visit during spring break. Both son and son-in-law are teachers; did you know that? I didn't remember if I'd told you that, but anyway, they're coming."
"Sure! I'd love that. I'm going out of town this weekend, but I'll be back Sunday night. Next week, my calendar's free. Any night is fine with me."
"I'll check with Chet and let you know."
"It'll be nice to see the Henderson kids again. Been a long time." Jessica paused. Carol and Chet had been dating a while. Had they? Were they? "Any other reason for this get-together?"
"Oh, we just thought it would be nice to bring the families together since we have the chance," Carol said breezily, quickly changing the subject. "What about you? Where are you off to this weekend? Work or pleasure?"
So much pleasure, you would not believe. Jessica stifled a chuckle. "I've been meaning to call you about getting together anyway. I want you to finally meet Worth. May I bring him along?"
"Of course! I can't wait to meet him. Is he going along on this mysterious trip?"
Jessica let the chuckle out now. "Not mysterious, Mom, but you're the only one who knows besides us and his mother—I got to meet her yesterday! Now it's his turn to meet you. He flew me to Boston as a surprise last weekend, but you know what happened—"
"'The best laid plans of mice and men,'" Carol quoted. "What an awful mess that was. I'm glad you can just relax now. Chet, too. It's a load off him, believe me."
"Anyway, we're going to try Boston again. Strictly pleasure."
Jessica heard a key turn in her front door. Had she just given him that key days ago? Soon Worth appeared in the bedroom doorway. He leaned against the frame, watching her with frank appreciation.
"Okay, Mom, let me know. Worth is here, and we need to make our flight." She ended the call and rushed to embrace him.
Chapter 17
Boston
The flight was uneventful this time. Rebecca greeted them cheerfully into first class seating and they chatted
