“No. But it sounds like I’ll need to get used to that sort of thing,” sighed Tessa. “Especially once I start traveling with him and attending events. I’m just terrified that I’m going to embarrass him.”

“Not possible,” insisted Julia. “You’ve always been so gracious and helpful at our meetings. You’ll handle yourself just fine at whatever party or banquet he takes you to. But you do need to dress the part, honey. Ian’s right about that. If you think those two cats you work with can be vicious bitches, the society snobs you’ll meet will be licking their chops ready to cut you into little pieces. So you’ll have to make sure you look fabulous every single time. Fortunately, you’re young and gorgeous and have a killer bod so the rest is easy.”

Tessa smiled at her gratefully. “You’re so sweet. Would you - I mean, I know you’re super busy with work and wedding plans but, well, I need a little advice about what outfits to wear for certain occasions.”

Julia clapped her hands in glee. “I’d love to help you with that. After you give me the grand tour of the house, we’ll take a peek at your wardrobe. Anything in particular you need an outfit for?”

Tessa felt her cheeks grow warm when she remembered Ian’s instructions for tonight. “Um, well, Ian’s taking me out to dinner tonight to Harris’ Steakhouse. I’ve never been there and don’t know the right thing to wear.”

“I do,” declared Julia. “We had dinner there in January with some clients. I’ll find the perfect dress for you.”

Julia was true to her word. After Tessa showed her around the house - with Julia oohing and ahhing over an antique table or a magnificently framed landscape or a priceless Oriental vase - she led her into the walk-in closet.

Julia clutched the doorway in mock astonishment. “Oh, my God, Tessa. This is - awe inspiring. You have to let me take pictures of this. Nathan and I are still finalizing the designs for my closet in our new home and this will definitely give me some amazing ideas. Oooh, look at those built-in drawers.”

After Julia had snapped a dozen or so photos with her phone, she turned her attention to Tessa’s clothes. With something akin to reverence, she ran her fingertips lightly over several garments, then gave a little purr of pleasure when she spied the racks of neatly arranged shoes and bags.

“Oh, honey, he’s bought you some gorgeous things,” she crooned. “Did the personal shopper you told me about pick all this stuff out?”

Tessa shook her head. “Actually, Ian chose most of it. He’s got wonderful taste, doesn’t he?”

“My God, that’s putting it mildly. Tessa, he’s got a gift. Everything is absolutely perfect for you - the colors, styles, all the accessories. It will be the easiest thing in the world to put outfits together for you.”

For tonight’s dinner, Julia helped her select a sophisticated sheath dress in a luscious shade of violet, pairing it with cream, peep-toe Louboutins. Ian had recently bought her another coat, this one of cream wool with large jeweled buttons that Julia insisted she wear tonight.

And Julia almost squealed with delight when Tessa showed her the drawers filled with exquisite, couture lingerie. Tessa carefully withdrew the gorgeous lavender bra and panty set Ian had instructed her to wear.

“He picked all these out for you, too?” inquired Julia.

Tessa couldn’t help feeling a little embarrassed to admit the truth. “Um, well, yes.”

Julia laughed. “Well, they do say that still waters run deep. Underneath all that proper British decorum, our Mr. Gregson has a naughty side, doesn’t he? And I’ll just bet he’s a real tiger in bed. Though he’d have a hard time keeping score with Nathan. That man is - well, let’s just say stamina is never a problem for him.”

Tessa couldn’t help giggling at her friend’s bawdy talk. “Well, Ian is pretty, um, enthusiastic, too. Even though he always jokes about trying to keep up with me, it’s really the other way around.”

Julia smirked. “Sounds like we’ve both got our hands full with horny men, hmm? Trust me, it’s a good problem to have.”

***

Tessa’s co-workers showered her with empathy and support when she arrived back at the office on Friday. In addition to the rest of the team, almost every other employee on their floor, from the receptionist to the highest level executives, made it a point to stop by her desk and extend their sympathies for what had happened. She was deeply touched by all the offers of help that were given as well - did she have a place to stay, did she need clothing or shoes or blankets, did she need any financial assistance? Tessa was almost in tears by the outpouring of kindness and support, and assured everyone that yes, she was fine, that she was staying with a friend, and had enough clothes and other supplies. She almost felt remorseful at having to hedge around the truth, but while she was still employed by the Gregson Group no one could know that the “friend” she was living with was really their boss, and that he had already showered her with more clothes than she knew what to do with.

The other members of the team had already taken the initiative to gather up some things for her. Marisol, ever the practical one, handed Tessa a bag filled with basics like toothpaste, deodorant, razors, and shampoo. Gina had gone through her closet and picked out a few blouses, sweaters, and scarves that she thought Tessa could use. Shelby and Kevin had pooled their funds to buy her a gift card so that she could purchase some of the things she needed. Only Alicia was empty handed, though she did tell Tessa in a falsely sweet voice to let her know if she needed anything.

Tessa felt guilty accepting the things but realized it was necessary in order to keep up the charade, so she merely thanked all of them profusely.

Getting back to work a day earlier than planned turned out to be the best decision she could have made, for it was so busy that she didn’t have time to dwell on her recent trauma. With both Ian’s and Andrew’s blessings, she had elected not to tell the rest of the team about her impending resignation just yet. Word would get out soon enough, since Andrew was already hard at work searching for her replacement.

It was so busy, in fact, that Gina and Alicia didn’t have time to indulge in one of their usual gabfests until mid-afternoon, when the frantic pace of the workday had finally begun to ease up just a bit.

“Oh, my God, it’s been so crazy today that I forgot all about the news my mother gave me this morning,” Alicia began breathlessly. “She and my father were out at dinner last night with some friends from their club when they saw His Hotness. They were all at Harris’ Steakhouse and evidently the Boss Man was there with his new amour.”