Jessica squeezed Worth's hand beside her. She was so pleased that Donna and Eric had found one another. The two couples had not spent much time together, but she hoped that would change. There was no awkwardness between Jessica and Donna, certainly. And there was no need for any between Worth and Eric, despite the fact that both had seen her naked. Jessica's cheeks flushed at the thought. It had taken a long time for her and Eric to become intimate, and compared to her experience with Worth, "intimate" really didn't adequately describe the relationship. There had always been a key factor missing. Eric hadn't been as… desirous… as she had been, for sure.
But Donna was obviously very happy, and that's all that mattered. Jessica would return to work on Monday, and from the sounds of it, so would Donna—no time for a honeymoon with all the preparations and plans before Eric left for Florida. Donna had told her friend that she had a surprise for him, though. When pressed for details, however, Donna had made a zipping motion with her mouth, her eyes sparkling. "One day, I'll dish, but not yet."
"This is delicious," Donna said. "Thank you so much for doing this, Carol." She took another bite of her shrimp taco, careful to eat over the plate as they stood on the condo's glassed-in porch. Outside, the sun was just dipping below the tall buildings and trees in the distance, bathing the whole scene in an amber glow.
Carol sipped her champagne. "We were happy to, Donna. You've been a wonderful friend to Jessica this year. And what a year it's been!"
Donna's eyes were round. "Amen to that." She looked around the room and into the main section of the condo, where friends snacked and chatted in little groups. "I really appreciate this; you have no idea. There wasn't time to move Eric to my place, get him packed for Florida, make arrangements with the chapel and worry about a reception." Other than the private one a little later, she thought.
Chet walked out to freshen their drinks. "Guess who just called? Keith says that Layla's having some issues, nothing serious. They're still planning to come for Thanksgiving dinner next week."
Carol nodded pleasantly. "Good, good—oh, Donna! Please join us for Thanksgiving! We don't have a table inside that's big enough for everyone to fit, but we'll pull some together out here if it's not too cold. And if it is, we'll just make do in there. Please say yes. Eric will be gone."
Donna looked across the porch where Eric and Worth were deep in discussion about something. The thought of spending another Thanksgiving alone was not appealing; there had been many in her life. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time she'd had a family Thanksgiving at all. The last one must have been with her father, just before she ran away for good.
"I'd be delighted, Carol," Donna said with a smile. "Let me know what I can bring."
By the time everyone left the Hendersons', the sun had turned the sky to red. Mr. and Mrs. Brown thanked the Hendersons one last time and drove off, literally, into the sunset. As Eric turned the wheel in the direction of their apartment, he yawned loudly.
"It's been a tiring few weeks, hasn't it?" Donna said.
Eric nodded with a smile as he drove. "Tiring, but fantastic." He glanced at her. "We're married, Donna! Sorry we can't have a honeymoon yet, but after Florida, we'll do something special. I appreciate how easy you've made this for me—not many brides would agree to a bit of a rush job, then say goodbye to the groom a few days later."
Donna put her hand on Eric's thigh. "We can FaceTime every day," she said. "And I could visit at Christmas if everyone's okay with that."
"They'll have to be," Eric said. "No way can I be away from you more than a month at a time. If the Steins don't have room at their house for us to be together, we'll get a hotel room." He lifted her hand to his lips for a kiss. "But not a quaint old bed and breakfast with thin walls!"
Donna laughed. "Exactly. Oh, turn right at the light, babe."
Eric obliged her, assuming she needed to make a stop at a store before they went home. "We're a little overdressed for the drug store," he teased.
"Actually," she said slowly. "Pull over. I want to drive."
"Oookay," he said. "I've married a woman of mystery, have I?"
Before she pulled back into traffic, Donna reached over his lap and pulled something out of the glove compartment. "Put this on."
It was a blindfold. As he complied, Eric chuckled. "Well, I know you're not going to drive me to a brand new house, unless you won the lottery and forgot to tell me. That would be some wedding gift, though."
Donna giggled as she eased into the traffic flow but said nothing for several blocks. She pulled into the parking lot of a nondescript brick building whose windows and front double doors were covered with plywood and security bars. From all appearances, it was deserted, but Donna had a key. "You can get out now. I'll lead you from here."
At the door, Donna opened it and pulled Eric inside before locking the door behind herself. She entered a code to shut off the alarm system then turned on a soft light. The club was deserted—unusual for a Saturday evening, but Donna had made special arrangements with the owner. Her wedding night gift to Eric would be an introduction—for both of them, really—to all that the club had to offer. And as much as Donna would have enjoyed spending her wedding night fulfilling one of her own fantasies, this
