Magic of Three
Page 24
If only I could find the same love for myself, Janice thought as she let the deep, true and loving emotions of the three wash over her. She wasn’t greedy. She didn’t have to have two guys at her beck and call to feel complete. But she missed having someone to come home to, someone to care for and who cared for her.
No matter what bright façade she put out to the rest of the world, Janice was lonely. Even a well-needed divorce took its toll on the old self-esteem. Bright-colored hair and clinging dresses covered the wounds. They couldn’t heal them.
Still watching with a hint of envy, she took a sip of champagne and tried to control the green-eyed monster. Now wasn’t the time to get all maudlin. Her best friend had finally found true, if a tad unconventional, happiness. This was a celebration, not a funeral. If it had been she’d be in her classic black sheath, not an emerald green halter-topped bridesmaid dress that danced around her knees.
Janice remained leaning against the far wall, brooding, until a presence joined her, pulling her attention away from the trio whirling around the dance floor.
“Nice to know there’s still a chance for the rest of us, even an unconventional one,” Eric said as he leaned against the wall beside her, crossing his long, lean legs at the ankle. His light blond hair, tied back in a long ponytail, gleamed against the black of his suit.
Janice had been surprised when she saw office heartthrob Eric Malcolm walk in the restaurant. She’d worked in the same building with him for two years now, trading an occasional word, a quick conversation in the elevator. But she’d never really talked to him. Her tongue tended to go into full retreat in his presence, turning her into a blushing schoolgirl instead of an able and highly respected personal assistant.
She wouldn’t have guessed Eric knew someone like Julian.
“They make a cute trio,” Janice quipped as she took her last sip of champagne.
Eric nodded, watching the three with his own bit of envy if she wasn’t mistaken.
“Friend of the bride or grooms?” he asked.
Janice flagged down a waiter, handing him her empty flute. “Bride. I’ve been friends with Lisa since college.”
“Okay with all this?” Eric asked, turning toward her for the first time, locking his hazel eyes on her face.
Her heart skipped a beat as she felt a blush rise up her face. Nothing like a gorgeous man to get the blood pressure up. “Of course I’m okay. Lisa’s happy. Tim and Julian are both nice guys. I’d be happy if she hooked up with either one. Having both is a bonus.”
Eric grinned, the expression lighting up his whole face. “Nice way to look at it. Most people would fly into a fit of moral outrage.”
Janice reached up to twirl a bright blue curl. “I’ve never been accused of being conventional. Happy is happy.”
Eric nodded, turning his attention back to the three giddy dancers. Janice tried to think of something to say, something not too inane to get him to talk to her more. Eric beat her to it. “So did the boss snag you for the San Francisco trip?”
“I’m packing tonight,” Janice answered, heart surging again at the possibility that the trip might go better than she imagined. Not a simple dry series of negotiations to follow, research, take notes for and possibly keep people from killing each other over. She hadn’t considered that Eric would be there. “You?”
He nodded, lips pursed. “I’m team head. I’m glad you’re on board. This one’s going to be tricky. It’s good to have dependable people with you.”
“Drat, you mean there won’t be any time for a quick Napa–Sonoma run?” Janice teased, a mock pout twisting her full lips.
Eric rewarded her with another shining smile. “Not unless things go much smoother than I anticipate. This merger could get ugly. It’ll be good to have your calming influence around.” His brow wrinkled in confusion with his next words. “People can’t seem to stay angry around you.”
Janice laughed, pink- and blue-streaked curls dancing around her face. “What can I say, I’m a people person,” she snickered, not liking how close he was to the truth. “Even big-time power brokers respond to that.”
“Whatever the reason, I like knowing I have skilled people on my team.” Eric took a last draw on his glass before flagging down another waiter. “I better give my best wishes to the newlyweds. Need to get some things together at the office so I might get some sleep tonight.”
He turned to her, tucking a pink lock behind her ear. “See you at the airport, bright and early.”
Janice watched his tight ass walking away from her. And how the hell am I supposed to act professional when he goes and does something like that?
The sharp repetitive clank of metal on crystal dragged Janice’s attention back to the happy trio. Her friend looked absolutely stunning. Lisa stood between her two men, her wide smile brightening the room. Julian held a crystal flute, tapping on it with a silver spoon for attention.
The low din of the crowd hushed in anticipation. “Before everyone starts sneaking out we wanted to take a moment to thank all of you,” he said, his own smile rivaling Lisa’s. He put down the glass and took Lisa’s hand as she took Tim’s. “The three of us never had a real family, not the kind that cared for us. We had to make our own. But our family isn’t just the three of us. It includes each and every one of you. Our friends.”
As Julian’s words faded Tim stepped forward. He looked over the crowd, nodding at a few smiling, teary-eyed faces. “Thank you for being there for us when we needed you and always being supportive. We hope that everyone here finds the same love and trust we have in each other.”
Several women sighed. Even Janice’s jaded heart filled with the hope and promise in his words. It was as if each and every person in the room could feel the emotions binding these three people together.
Finally Lisa edged forward, dwarfed by her husbands but with mischief lighting her eyes and making her seem somehow larger than life. “And thank you for all your well wishes. Now get out so the honeymoon can start.”
The room burst out in laughter as Lisa grabbed the back of Tim’s and Julian’s heads. She dragged them down for a three-way kiss that left the room thundering with both whistles and applause.
The End
About the Author
It’s always the quiet ones. Mild-mannered Jenna Castille lives a rather normal life with her husband and daughter in Las Vegas. Only her husband and closest friends know about the twists and turns her imagination takes. She’s loved fantasy and horror stories since childhood. Then she discovered romance and Romantica®. As a writer, she never could figure out which genre she liked better, so she decided throw them all in a pot and see what came out.
Her husband still shakes his head every time she describes one of her plots, but he’s always more than willing to help with any “hands on” research she might require. And her friends love to read her stories. They tell her that at least now they understand the glassy stares and all the mumbling to herself. Happily, they don’t have to worry about her anymore.
Being a writer is much better than being committed.
Jenna welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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