Chapter One

When the news broke that Peter Bodine, one of America’s leading fashion designers, was giving Globe Magazine a personal showing before actual release, the whole magazine was in an uproar.  Peter Bodine Fashions sold in only the most exclusive and elite shops in the United States, as well as all over Europe.  Dale Globe, president of the magazine, had given this assignment to Carrie Tappen.  This event was about to change their lives forever.

          Globe Magazine was founded with the format of family living.  Obtaining an interview of this caliber was a milestone for the magazine.  A door was opening up for them, which they would not let close.  Although fashion was only a small part of this magazine, having this exclusive was bound to raise sales, subscriptions, and advertising.

          Carrie had been with the magazine for over four years, and had waited a long time for an assignment like this.  Up until this assignment, her work was mostly in research, and editing some small pieces.  She knew that if this article went well, she would be able to seek the management position she deserved.

The next few months were frantic.  There were interviews with Bodine, his models, and his assistants, right down the line to his doorman and chauffeur.  Carrie was determined to make this the best article that had ever been printed in Globe.  She ran herself and her co-workers ragged for three month.  Peter Bodine had quite a reputation with the ladies and truly lived up to that.  Carrie spent most of the time she was with him, playing a “cat and mouse” game.  It seemed like this assignment was never going to end.  The three months that she worked on this article seemed to have turned into years.

When the article was finally in print, Carrie sat in her office, feeling very drained.  She was sitting there, daydreaming about what it would be like to lead a normal life.  Wondering what it was that constituted a normal life.  She was just sitting there with her chin resting on her hand, when she realized that someone was in the room with her.  She looked up, and a chill went down her spine.  She didn’t realize it at the time, but her life was about to change.  Standing in front of her was her boss, Dale Globe.  He stood about 6’4”, brown hair with distinguishing Grey streaks running through it.  He was about fifty-five years old, and at that moment, she noticed that he had the most incredible blue eyes that sparkled when he smiled.  Although she had worked with this man for the past four years, she was looking at him with a very different perspective right now.  She realized that he had been talking to her, but she wasn’t really there. 

“Ms. Tappen?  Ms. Tappen,” he asked, “Where are you?”

          “I’m sorry.”  Carrie jumped out of her chair and back to reality.  “I was thinking about something else.  I must apologize.  What were you saying?”  She realized that she was thinking about how attracted she suddenly was to this man standing in front of her, and that she had not heard a word of what he was saying.

          “I came in to congratulate you on a job well done.”  He offered his hand, and she responded.