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But she was back in the hoht up to speed as soon as she was back Though she was always in touch through email and conference calls, when she came back home she wanted to sink her teeth into every project she could We were still finding our ith this new setup, but it orking out really well for us

It was always great having her back in the office; it never see around on her high heels Which I could hear now co with a chorus of welcome backs and how are you’s from the rest of the staff

I stepped out of my office just as she rounded the last bend Black sleeveless dress, knee-high camel leather boots with an inon; she was pulled together, gorgeous, and looked well rested And excited to be back

"Girl! Get over here!" she squealed, setting down her Chanel bag and sweeping lad to see you!" I replied, letting ot presents," she said, ushering me down the hall into her own office, which was cleaned weekly during her absences so it never smelled musty or unused We couldn’t have that

"You don’t have to bring me presents every time you come home, you know," I said as she pulled a few boxes out of her satchel

"Shut it, but open this," she instructed, setting a pink box down in front of me, then spun toward her tea set in the corner "Do we have--"

"Hot water is already in there; I just filled itupon her arrival she’d want to have a cup of tea

"You’re the best"

"I’ve heard that said And holy shit, where’d you get these?" I exclais Set into brushed nickel, there were beads in shades of pink, peach, salo-to colors in my favorite palette

"Saw them in a tiny store in Rome and couldn’t resist I said to Benjamin, ‘those are Caroline’s colors,’ and he insisted we buy them"

"Benja to the constant state of blush I was always in whenever he was around It wasn’t just me either; Sophia and Mimi shared my not-so-secret-crush on Jillian’s husband

"Just put the all the different ways you can thank hi "I saw all the folders on your desk Want to bring me up to speed over lunch?"

And just like that, Jillian was back in town All was right with the world

We spentin a corner booth at our favorite restaurant in Chinatown, getting caught up over our sizzling rice and office gossip Not much escaped Jillian’s eye, even across an ocean But there was still some scuttlebutt to fill her in on, and as we chitted and chatted, I relaxed ?" she asked, after we’d covered everything office related

I paused, chopsticks halfway into ! Mimi and Ryan!"

I chopsticked, chewed, and nodded "Oh sure, sure, that wedding"