Jessica joined the employees at the front as Skip handed the little mic to Worth. From a few feet away, Jessica marveled at the length of time since Worth had addressed the group that first day. Only a few months, really. She had been so distracted, she hadn't heard him call her to the front. And now he's mine.
Worth cleared his throat. "As you all know, the past few months have been a strain. Selling the magazine, a new editor, the fires. Thanks to the excellent work of our own Jessica Daniels, and of course, both the fire department and police, you know about my past challenges. All resolved now, thank God." He paused. "Last week, you met the new publisher for the first time, my mother Molly, who insists that everyone call her that, by the way."
Low chuckles spread throughout the room. Even though her time with the staff had been brief on Friday, she had already earned somewhat of a reputation.
"You'll be seeing more of Molly in the future, I'm sure. Especially in the next few months." Worth cleared his throat again. "I mentioned 'our own' Jessica Daniels." He nodded to her with a smile. "Jessica, will you join me?"
Aware that all eyes were on her as she stood next to their boss, she waited quietly for him to make the announcement.
Worth put his arm around Jessica's waist and pulled her close, both of them beaming. "I don't know if any of you suspected, but Jessica and I have been seeing each other for several months. We chose to keep it quiet, to keep our personal lives out of the office. But, over the weekend, this beautiful lady agreed to become Mrs. Worth Vincent. You'll all be invited to the wedding."
Jessica heard Donna's distinct "Woohoo" from her position as the room erupted in applause and calls of well-wishes.
When the initial response quietened, Worth continued. "Jessica will still be a reporter and columnist, but her job description will also expand as she helps me with the business." This had been one of the many things they had discussed in Boston. "I hope you'll feel free to go to her with any concerns you may have about the future if I happen to be unavailable. We're in this together."
Skip gave Jessica a big hug, whispering in her ear as he did, "You lucky girl!"
As the staff mingled for a few minutes before returning to work, most expressed surprise. A few people said they had sort of wondered, but no one seemed to be intimidated by the news.
Donna made her way over to Jessica last as Jessica was walking to her desk. "I am so happy for you. Shocked as all get out but extremely happy!" She gave her friend a warm hug before holding out her left hand to show off her own new addition there. "My weekend was a special one too!"
Jessica took her hand, admiring the ring. There was not even a hint of jealousy for what Eric and Donna shared. Her own heart was too full. And, too, what she and Eric had shared paled by comparison to the love she had found with Worth. She was truly thankful Eric was happy. "Congratulations! I'm sorry if our announcement stole your thunder; we felt like we needed to 'go public' now."
Donna brushed off the apology. "I want to hear all about it."
Jessica gave Donna's hand a little squeeze. "How about lunch today? My treat. Worth has a meeting and I've got a question for you." She grinned. "Lots of questions, actually, but one in particular."
Chapter 18
Opposites Don't Necessarily Attract
Donna rubbed her eyes as she slowly woke the next morning and looked around. Glancing at the alarm clock, she saw both that it was still early and that she wasn't at home. Squinting in the semi-dark room, she got her bearings back—Eric's apartment. He was nowhere to be seen, however, so she swung her legs over the side, grabbed one of his t-shirts to put on and went in search of him, yawning. It had been a very late, very satisfying evening.
She found Eric in the small but efficient kitchen, his thick hair looking more auburn under the fluorescent lighting. He was whisking something in a stainless-steel bowl, completely nude. From years of working as a stonemason in the sun, his back and arms were tanned, but his buttocks and legs were fairly pale.
Donna drew in a breath. Her whip—actually a riding crop kept from a horse-riding phase in her youth—had left a few marks. She tiptoed close behind him and circled his narrow waist with her arms, kissing his smooth, hairless back. Eric didn't stop whisking but turned his head to murmur a low, "Good morning, Master. Scrambled okay?"
Donna giggled and slapped him gently on the bottom as she grabbed a piece of crisp bacon a plate on the counter. "That was just last night, sweetie. You know that." She leaned in to brush her firm, tiny breasts against his bicep. "Tonight, it's your turn."
They had shared a perfect weekend at a quaint little bed and breakfast. Eric had made the reservation and was adorably chagrined when they arrived. The rooms of the old house were beautifully decorated but not nearly as private as they would have liked for their…activities. As pleasant as the weekend had been, it had been a welcome relief to return to more familiar, and accommodating, surroundings.
When Donna and Eric met some months earlier, they were mutually surprised at the immediate, strong attraction. Their shared history with Jessica notwithstanding, they felt completely at ease from the start. Taking it very slowly at first, they had kept the relationship at a somewhat chaste level as they got to know each other. One evening, however, Eric had picked up a folder of notes on Donna's coffee table in her living room. Donna saw him and tried to stop him, but it was too late.
She was working on an
