Champagne Kisses Read Online Free PDF

asked again with growing concern.
    “We received some troubling news last night. One of our employees had emergency surgery and is in very critical condition.”
    Marissa placed a hand on her friend’s arm. “I’m so sorry, Diamond. Was it someone who works in the PR department?”
    Diamond shook her head. “It’s Donovan’s assistant. Sharon has been with the company for twenty years. She’s like family to us all.”
    Donovan’s assistant. Like family. That’s what was wrong last night. The reason he’d been quiet after the rehearsal dinner, and so withdrawn… No wonder he’d lashed out at her. I’m sorry to snap at you. I’ve got a lot on my mind.
    By the time she’d rounded the golf cart to help Diamond and the maid of honor with the gargantuan train, four more carts had pulled up behind them. Her personal assistant for the day, a young college intern working in PR for the summer, jumped out of the cart and was at Diamond’s side in an instant. Jackson shooed him away as he turned, lifted Diamond from the cart and deftly placed her on the ground. The rest of the wedding entourage, including Diamond’s stylist, hairdresser and makeup artist, all began walking toward the building where Diamond would change into her second dress. It was a good thing that there were so many people to help, leaving any assistance needed from Marissa to be minimal at best. Because all she could think about was Donovan and how unfairly she’d treated him.
    She’d been so quick to lump him into the jerk category with the rest of the men she’d recently encountered when nothing could have been further from the truth. The eldest Drake sibling was just as she’d first believed him to be: considerate and thoughtful, and now she could add caring. He’d been preoccupied with his concern for someone else, someone who wasn’t even a family member but a longtime employee. It’s how Jackson would have reacted, with fierce loyalty and unwavering focus. That’s because her boss, Jackson Wright, was a good man. Now, she was convinced that the same was true of Donovan Drake. And before the end of the day, come hell or high water, she was going to let him know how she felt.

Chapter 5
    “T hat was a beautiful toast, brother,” Jackson said once Donovan had taken his seat and the applause had subsided. They were seated on a raised dais facing the wedding guests seated at round tables of ten.
    “Meant every word. There was a time when I doubted whether or not you were good enough for my sister.”
    “And now?”
    “Couldn’t find a better brother.” Donovan felt his phone vibrate. His body instantly tensed as he pulled it from his pocket and discreetly held it under the table as he read the message.
    “Everything okay?” Jackson asked.
    Donovan sighed. “Get Diamond’s attention.” Jackson tapped Diamond and gave her a kiss as she turned to face him. Her lips met Jackson’s, but then her eyes were squarely on her brother. “Did they text you?”
    Donovan nodded. “They are scheduling another surgery first thing tomorrow.”
    “On a Sunday?” Diamond sounded shocked. “Donovan, I totally understand if you need to leave and go to the hospital.”
    Donovan slowly nodded, knowing the strain of the situation was showing on his face.
    “Oh, wow,” Diamond continued, as if finally understanding the gravity of the entire situation.“Your project! You’re supposed to be pulling it all together in the next two weeks.”
    “I know,” Donovan said, hating to bring such a topic into their wedding celebration but knowing that Diamond totally understood.
    “What are you going to do?”
    “I don’t know. I thought about asking Mama to help—”
    Diamond released an unladylike snort. “Good luck with that.” While Genevieve had worked in the offices during the first couple years, she’d been a stay-at-home and run-the-home mother for more than three decades.
    “What about Marissa?” Jackson asked, looking at Donovan. After