Champagne Kisses A Timeless Love Story - Krista Lakes Page 0,1

they had decided to get married on a beach just for fun. It was out of character for my usually pragmatic and responsible Jack, but he kept telling me it was an act of rebellion that wasn't supposed to have consequences. Since it wasn't a legal ceremony, it would have ended there, except the tabloids were given pictures. I had been up to my eyeballs trying to keep that from exploding into a PR nightmare.

I hadn't been sure of Emma's motives when I flew out to Iowa to pick her up and bring her to New York for damage control, but she turned out to be genuinely warm and full of integrity. It was easy to love Emma. She was undemanding, and fell in love with Jack for Jack. She loved him for him, and not for his money. I couldn't have asked for someone better to be with the man I considered a little brother. I had cried tears of joy at their wedding, knowing their love story was one for the ages.

"Do you need me to go with you?" I asked, mentally prepping the things I would need to get together for a trip into the city. I was Jack's personal assistant. His right hand man, so to speak. If he needed something done, I was the one he turned to. I had been looking after his interests since he was a boy.

He shook his head. "No, we've been waiting on the new contracts from Dubai to come in. I just need to sign them and make sure they are correct. I would rather have you here, with Dad. If anything happens..."

"Then Rachel and I will take care of things," Emma said. She kissed the top of his head, and he seemed to draw strength from her.

"I'll make sure Raoul keeps the helicopter on standby for you," I said, pulling out my phone and typing messages that would alert his helicopter pilot and Jack's secretary to be readily available. If he needed to come home quickly, I wanted everything in place.

"Thanks Rach." Jack took a deep breath and Emma untangled him from her arms as he stood. The world seemed to rest on Jack's shoulders as he looked out the window. Daniel Saunders' health had been failing for a long time. The speed at which the cancer spread had caught us all by surprise, and had caused the business to go into Jack's keeping earlier than expected. Despite having almost two years to prepare for his impending death, none of the Saunders family or staff was dealing with it well.

Jack gave his shoulders a shake, settling the weight across them evenly and standing taller. He kissed Emma on the cheek and gave me a smile before heading to the helicopter pad on the far side of the house. Emma watched him walk away, her lips pressed together as he rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.

"How are you doing?" Emma asked. She stood behind me, looking out the window, with her hands on my shoulders. "I know you and Daniel are close."

I pressed my palms into my cheeks and placed my elbows on the table. I was trying to ignore the horrible ache in my chest. Daniel Saunders was the closest thing to a father I ever had. He was the man I gave a card to on Father's Day. He was the one who listened to my worries and ideas. He wasn't just the father of my boss; he was my friend. The thought that I was going to lose him terrified me.

Emma rubbed my back gently, small soothing circles as I swallowed down a sob. She didn't say anything, just kept the comforting circles going on my back. I didn't want to cry. Crying meant it was real and I didn't want that. Emma gave me a small squeeze.

"Never mind, then," she said. I could feel her bright green eyes studying me for a moment. "Would you like some good news to cheer you up? I've felt strange telling anyone with everything going on, but I think it might make you feel better."

I nodded, concentrating on her voice. An uneasy tension permeated the house since Daniel took to his bed. It took an incredible amount of energy to keep walking on the invisible eggshells, and despite Daniel's pleas to lighten up, it felt sacrilegious to laugh or do anything normal with the death of a man we all loved looming over us. I decided I could