"How long are Jill and JC gonna go without talking?" Candice asked Alli.
"I don't know. It's been over two weeks," Alli told her.
"Did JC tell you everything?"
"Yeah, we talked a few nights ago. I think she should let him explain," Alli said.
"I agree," Candice told her.
"So, how's everything with Chris?" Alli asked, changing the subject.
Candice smiled big, "It's fine."
"Fine? You sure did smile big when I mentioned his name," Alli said laughing.
"He's just so sweet!" Candice gushed. "I've never known anyone like him. He calls every night and even talks to my puppy."
"Sounds like he's a little smitten with you too," Alli said.
"You think?" Candice asked.
"Duh! Joey doesn't even call me every night," Alli told her.
"He does like me!" Candice said, sounding like she was in junior high. "Seriously though, Alli. Do you think we should do something to help Jill and JC out?"
"I've been thinking about it all week," Alli told her, "I know JC wants my help, but I'm just drawing a blank."
"We'll think of something," Candice assured her, "Chris told me last night that they'll be gone an extra week so that gives us a little more time."
Jill opened the door to Alli's office. Candice immediately stopped talking.
"Do you have the notes for tomorrow's show?" Jill asked her.
"Yeah, they're right here," Alli said handing them to Jill.
Jill took the cards and went back to her office.
"All she does is work now," Alli said to Candice.
"We've got to do something This can't be healthy for her."
"You're very right. We'll come up with something," Alli said.
"I'll talk to Chris tonight and see if he has any ideas."
"And I'll talk to Joey," Alli said.
"Have you talked to Alli today?" JC asked Joey.
"No, but I did talk to Jill this morning," he told JC.
"What did she say? Did you call her or did she call you?" JC asked.
"She called me. She just needed to talk to someone that would just listen and not try to talk her into letting you explain cuz that's what Alli does," Joey told him.
"How did she sound?"
"She is miserable. I could tell it in her voice. She told me that she cries herself to sleep every night," Joey said.
"Oh God, what have I done?" JC said softly.
"Everything will work out. Just wait until we get home in two weeks," Joey told him.
"I hope you're right," JC said.
Alli, Candice, Jeff and Jill sat around a conference table Tuesday morning discussing show ideas when the phone rang.
"This is Jill, can I help you?" she said into the receiver.
"Hi Jill, it's Tracey. I have a delivery for Alli and Candice."
"Okay, Tracey, I'll let them know."
"Let us know what?" Jeff asked.
"Tracey has a delivery for Alli and Candice," Jill told them.
"I wonder what it is," Candice said.
"Let's go see," Alli suggested.
As they turned the corner to the receptionist desk they saw two huge bouquets of roses.
"Oh my God!" Candice exclaimed. She opened the card and read it out loud. "I'll see you Sunday, Chris"
"That is so sweet," Alli told Candice.
"Well, what does yours say?" Candice questioned. Alli opened the card and read it to herself, then out loud, "To my special girl, the one that inspires me. I love you, Joey"
"I guess we'd better get back to our meeting," Alli told her.
They both walked in, flowers in hand, "Look what we got!"
"Who are they from?" Jill asked, already knowing the answer.
"Chris and Joey," Candice said.
"Jeff can you explain to Alli and Candice what we came up with? I need to be alone," Jill said.
"Sure, I'll fill them in. Do you want to get some lunch with me?" Jeff asked.
"No, but thank you. I have a lot of paperwork I need to catch up on. I'll probably just order in," Jill told him as she left the room.
"I hope she's not mad at us. I didn't even think about it when we brought the flowers in," Candice said.
"I'm sure she's not mad. She's probably just upset," Alli told her.
"Why don't we go get some lunch and I can fill you two in on what Jill and I discussed," Jeff suggested.
"Sounds good. We need to talk to you about next Monday's show anyway," Alli said.
"Yes Tracey, what do you need?" Jill said into the phone.
"I have a package for you," she told her.
Jill got up and walked to the reception desk.
"Here's your package, and your lunch is here," Tracey told her.
"Thank you, I'll be in my office if you need me," Jill told her.
Jill walked back to her office, she was very curious to know what was in the package she just received. As soon as she shut the door she ripped the envelope open to find a cassette tape. She popped the tape into the cassette player and the sound of JC's voice came through the speakers.
"Jilly, I love you. I want explain everything. Please give me another chance. I miss you so much it hurts." JC started to sing "Best of My Life". After he finished singing there was one more message, "I will call you Thursday night. Please talk to me and let me explain. I love you, Joshua."
Jill just sat there, looking at the tape player. Her eyes started to tear up. She longed for JC to walk through her door and hold her like he used to.
"I will definitely talk to him Thursday when he calls. I need to let him explain," she told herself.
