Magic of Three (32 page)
Authors: Jenna Castille
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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