A Heart to Trust

by A. L. Brooks

  Jenny grinned. Their morning ritual of sharing coffee and a quick catch-up was just what she needed after more Olivia weirdness. “Definitely.” She stood and followed Chrissy. “What was your meeting about?”

  Chrissy gave a vague wave. “Just some stuff to do with my other projects.” She glanced over her shoulder then lowered her voice. “But Derek told me something about Catwalk that’s made me so mad.”

  “What?”

  They reached the coffee station and began making their drinks.

  “She’s done it again.” The anger in Chrissy’s tone was so acidic it made Jenny rock back on her heels.

  “Who?”

  “Olivia.” Chrissy folded her arms. “She’s taken all the photos and notes from the visit to the Excelsior you shared on the team SharePoint site and combined them into one, big presentation pack, then claimed it was all her work!”

  Jenny’s blood ran cold. “She… Why would she do that?”

  Chrissy laid her hand on Jenny’s forearm. “I think she’s trying to make the rest of us look bad. I think she thinks Derek will be so impressed with her that she’ll automatically get one of the jobs and the rest of us will be fighting for the other two.”

  “That bitch!”

  “I know!”

  “We should complain.” Jenny’s face was hot with her anger. “She’s got no right to—”

  Chrissy jumped in. “No, we can’t. Do you think that would be a good look for us with Derek? We can’t prove anything anyway. The document has her name on it.”

  Jenny’s shoulders slumped. “So she gets away with it.”

  “This time.” Chrissy’s eyes were fierce. “But I’ve been thinking, maybe we should start fighting fire with fire, hm?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “If she wants to play dirty, maybe we should too.”

  Jenny stared at her. She’d only ever done something like this once in her life and had vowed to never do it again. Sure, the person who’d done the original bad deed had it coming, but Jenny had felt no small measure of discomfort at beating them at their own game afterwards. It wasn’t something she wanted to make a habit of. “I’m not sure about that.”

  Chrissy leaned in, a deep frown on her face. “Oh?”

  Jenny took a small step back; Chrissy’s posture was pretty intimidating. “I kind of did it once before, and it didn’t feel that great, actually.”

  Chrissy tilted her head but made no further move toward or away from Jenny. “What did you do?”

  Needing to ease this weird—and unsettling—tension between them, Jenny grabbed her coffee and motioned to their usual, quiet spot near the storage cupboard. When they were tucked out of everyone’s sight, she leaned against the wall and was relieved when Chrissy kept her distance. “About a year and a half ago, I was working on a project with Adrienne, my old boss at TC. I overheard someone, a TV presenter, plotting to ruin her career and I recorded their conversation. I took the recording to Adrienne but she refused to use it against them. Said she wouldn’t stoop to their level.” Jenny rubbed the back of her neck. “I was angry on her behalf at their behavior, so I used it. Leaked it to a rival TV station and got the presenter suspended, and eventually fired.”

  Chrissy let out a loud guffaw of laughter, then clapped her hand over her mouth when Jenny hushed her. “Sorry, but that’s awesome! Serves her right.”

  “Yeah, kind of. It’s just… I’m not that kind of person. It was a very emotional time for me, for a few reasons, and I reacted without thinking. I mean, yeah, it got her fired, but I should have just let Adrienne handle it her way and taken the mature road, like she did.”

  Chrissy frowned. “You really think that?”

  “Yeah, I do. So, you know, you do what you want, but I won’t get involved in anything sneaky. It’s just not me.”

  Chrissy’s mouth tightened for just a moment, then her face relaxed and she shrugged. “Well, okay then. You’re probably right. I guess we can be the better people in all this. Hopefully she’ll fall on her ass anyway.”

  Jenny smiled. “You never know.”

  Olivia exited the elevator, her steps slow and heavy. The last three days had been awful. She didn’t know what had happened, but Jenny had given her the cold shoulder ever since her latest gossip session with Chrissy early Tuesday morning. Hell, cold was an understatement: Jenny had been positively frosty.

  Chrissy, conversely, looked like the cat who got the cream. That woman is definitely up to something.

  Olivia sighed as she unlocked the door. Some days, like today, she was tempted to just give it all up. Tell Broderick she wanted the divorce already, pack her bags, and start afresh, maybe even back in the UK. It would be that simple. But the bitter taste of defeat would stay with her for many years, she knew. She’d never shied away from a challenge and didn’t intend to start now.

  Unpacking her groceries took next to no time. Soon she had a small glass of wine in one hand and her phone in the other, and she headed out to sit on the balcony. It was a warm evening but not too hot, and it was good to look at the sky for a while.

  She was busy perusing Twitter when her phone rang. “Hello, Mother.”

  “Hello!” Her mother’s voice was bright and cheery and lifted Olivia’s spirits instantly. “How are you? How’s life?”

  “Everything’s great.” Olivia crossed her fingers.

  “Work okay?”

  “It’s fine.” Olivia sipped her wine. “Not the best of situations, but I’m managing.” Which was mostly true.

  “Are you sure you don’t just want to leave? I mean, you don’t owe them anything.”

  “I know. But there’s no good jobs on the horizon anywhere else, so I think it’s best to stay where I am, to at least work on building up more experience. You know what they say, it’s easier to find a job when you have a job.”

  “I suppose that’s true. And how’s all the other stuff?”

  Her mother always referred to the arrangement with Broderick as that, and it always made Olivia smile. “All good. Into our second year now, so not long to go. Not really.”

  “Gosh, has it already been that long? My memory isn’t what it used to be.” Her mother chuckled. “But that’s still the plan, yes? Two years is enough to convince them all?”

  “It seems so. He met with Dewbury’s recently and they’re already talking about extending his deal. Once he has that in place, then a divorce due to irreconcilable differences won’t cause his position any harm.”

  “And he’s doing well, isn’t he? I keep an eye on the results.”

  “Bless you.” Olivia’s heart swelled with love for her mother, and for her understanding and acceptance of what Olivia and Broderick were doing. Of course, it helped that Broderick had charmed her mother from the minute they met. “Yes, that’s the best part—he’s definitely going to be winning things next season, and that will help take attention away from his failed marriage.”

  Her mother chuckled. “You home wrecker.”

  Olivia snorted.

  “But seriously, how will you feel when this is all over? Will you be ready to strike out on your own?” For once, her mother sounded serious, her tone holding a hint of concern Olivia hadn’t heard before.

  “I’ll be fine. Of course.” She fiddled with her wine glass, turning it this way and that.

  “Are you sure? Because let’s face it, marrying into Sinclair money has made it all rather easy to upend your life and start afresh. When you’re cut free from that, alone in that big city, will you be able to make it work?”

  Olivia tensed; she wasn’t sure where her mother was going with this. “You think I should stay married to him? Or do you not have faith in my abilities to make something of my career and—”

  “No! God, no, I didn’t mean either of those things.” Her mother sighed. “I’m worried. Yes, I kn
ow, I supported you and Broderick in this and I wouldn’t change that. It was obvious the poor boy was wasting away trying to be Mr. Corporate for his family. I’m thrilled he’s so happy now. And I know how much you’ve always loved him as the brother you never had and would do anything for him, so I understand why you agreed to help him with this.”

  “But…” Olivia braced herself.

  “But I’m concerned in running away from all that happened here, grabbing the opportunity helping Broderick offered you, you haven’t thought about the bigger picture. Of what you want to do with your life and your happiness. And at the end of the day, I’m your mother, I love you, and my only concern is ever going to be your happiness.”

  Olivia’s throat closed and she had to swallow a number of times before she could speak. “I understand. And thank you for being honest. But seriously, I’m okay. I’m convinced I can get one of the permanent jobs, and I’m actually rather excited about being able to branch out on my own once we divorce. Living here is everything I thought it would be, or at least it has the potential to be. I’m sure once I get past this job nonsense, I’ll love it even more.”

  “Well, if you say so, I will say no more. Just remember I’m here whenever you need me, all right?”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  “Good. Now, you’ll never guess what your aunt bought the other day—a ride-on lawnmower! She’s already destroyed two shrubs and a decorative statue. Honestly, I don’t know where she gets her ideas from…”

  Olivia listened, her heart full of love for her remaining parent, as her mother chatted on about all of her comings and goings the last few weeks.

  When they’d said their goodbyes, her mother gushing with love for her only daughter as usual, Olivia was astonished to discover she had tears in her eyes.

  Maybe I needed that call more than I realized. She made a mental note to talk to her mother more often. And Gemma. At least with both of them, she could be her true self and not have to worry about every word she spoke. It took so much effort to keep the story going with everyone else. Even though there were only a few months left of the arrangement, she already found herself wondering what her life could be like when that time was up. Of how it would feel when she could live an honest life and, possibly, open herself up to dating again.

  She warmed at the thought, then frowned as her mind, inexplicably, paired that thought with a variety of images of Jenny. All the pleasant images of their times together so far. The times when Jenny smiled, or listened intently to something Olivia said, or thanked her for something she’d done. There weren’t too many of those moments, but Olivia was astonished to discover her mind had retained each one in clear detail.

  Groaning, she slumped back in her chair.

  Jenny?

  The whole idea was ridiculous.

  Definitely preposterous.

  Absolutely, she thought, even as her mind transported her back to the Excelsior and Jenny strutting down the fake runway.

  Chapter 14

  “What are you wearing tonight?” Chrissy asked. “This staff party is a pretty big deal, I heard. Got a new dress lined up?”

  Jenny laughed, then frowned when she realized Chrissy was serious. “I don’t wear dresses.” She gave a wry smile. “Not my style.”

  “Oh.” Chrissy looked Jenny up and down. “You’d look great in them, I think. You have a great figure.”

  “Thanks, but no. I’m happy with my look as it is.”

  She caught Olivia watching the exchange and quirked one eyebrow up in question.

  Olivia flushed and looked away.

  Jenny returned her attention to Chrissy. “I’ll probably wear my special occasions suit. It’s kind of like a tux. It’s pretty cool.”

  “The tuxedo got its name in 1886 when a millionaire called James Brown Potter wore a new jacket style at the Autumn Ball in Tuxedo Park here in New York,” Maxwell said. “The style itself was invented in 1865, by the Prince of Wales, and he’d recommended it to Potter.”

  The three women stared at Maxwell, and then Jenny grinned. “Thank you, Maxwell. I didn’t know that.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said. He picked up the phone to make a call.

  Jenny spotted Olivia smiling as she typed on her laptop.

  “Well,” Chrissy said, “I guess you’ll look pretty smart in that.”

  “What about you, what are you wearing?”

  “A new dress.” Chrissy’s eyes glazed over. “It’s beautiful.” She dipped her head coyly. “My boyfriend bought it for me.”

  “Aw, sweet. Will we meet this new guy sometime? He sounds nice from everything you’ve said.”

  “Oh, um, not just yet. Let’s see how it goes.” Chrissy stood. “Bathroom,” she muttered and walked off.

  Olivia snorted, and she cleared her throat when Jenny turned to look at her.

  “You going to the party?” Jenny asked. She had her issues with Olivia, for sure, but she couldn’t be so rude as to not ask. Especially when it was essentially just the two of them left there, with Maxwell deep in conversation on the phone.

  “I am.”

  “Got your outfit all picked out?”

  “I have.” Olivia’s gaze remained focused on her screen.

  Jeez, it’s like pulling teeth. Jenny gave up. “Okay, cool.” She swung back to her laptop and got on with her work.

  “Hey!” Jenny called as she rushed into the apartment and jogged down the hallway to her room.

  “Hey, yourself,” Carl replied from somewhere. He appeared at her bedroom doorway a few moments later, dressed only in jeans.

  “Well, hey there, half-naked man.” Jenny shucked off her Tevas and pulled her shirt over her head. She and Carl had long ago got used to seeing each other in their underwear.

  “Haven’t you got this big party tonight?” Carl looked puzzled.

  “I do, but I got caught up at MetLife Stadium and I only just got back, and now I have, like, five minutes to shower and change and get over there.” She struggled to undo her jeans, yanked them down her thighs, then promptly lost her balance. Thankfully, she landed sideways on the bed, not the floor.

  “Whoa, slow down! You’ll give yourself an injury.”

  She stretched her arms wide. “Yeah, maybe. I don’t know why I’m panicking. I guess it doesn’t matter what time I get there. I just want to make a good impression, though, you know? Boss man is gonna be there, and I think we all think we need to be on our best behavior. Show we’re company people and all that crap. This is their annual party, and it’s apparently an even bigger deal because they’re also celebrating taking over TC. Which, I have to admit, kinda stings.”

  “I get that.” Carl stood straight. “Anything I can do to help?”

  “Nah, except get out of my room so I can get all naked and stuff.”

  He laughed and turned his back. “You got it. Want a beer while you get ready?”

  “No, thanks. I don’t want to drink too much tonight. You know what I can be like if I overdo it.”

  Carl’s laughter echoed down the hallway as he walked away.

  As it was, it took her twenty minutes to shower and change, but she was happy with the result when she was done. Her hair looked awesome, which was always good. She’d spiked up the center, and the pink sections blended nicely with the black. This weekend, she’d maybe switch to purple; she hadn’t done that color in a while.

  Olivia would probably have a fit when she saw it, and Jenny chuckled at the thought.

  Carl whistled as she walked back into the living area. “Looking very sharp, Ms. Quinn.”

  She buffed her fingernails on the lapel of her jacket. “Why, thank you.” She eyed him up and down. “Decided to put a shirt on after all?”

  He grinned. “Just for riding on the subway. I’ll let Solomon rip it off me as soon as I get to his place.” />
  Jenny pretended to cover her ears. “Whatever. I’ll see you tomorrow, then? Are we still on for a picnic?”

  “Absolutely. Tamara confirmed for her and Roz too.”

  “Awesome.” She gathered up her wallet, keys, and phone, and left with a wave.

  The party was in full swing when she arrived; the official start time had been 7:00 p.m. and it was now around 7:45 p.m. To one side of the large space was a DJ stand, and a few people already moved—badly—to the music. On the opposite side was a long bar, three deep with people, and a little further down from there was a large, very popular buffet table.

  She took a moment to look around and see if she recognized anyone. There were a few familiar faces from what used to be TC Productions, others who had clearly been given a role in the new company. But there was no one she knew well enough to stroll over to and converse with, so she stuck her hands in the pockets of her pants and walked toward the buffet. She hadn’t eaten anything since around one, and she decided to start there before drinking anything. Though she only planned to drink light beer all evening, she’d still need something to fill her belly first.

  She’d just loaded up a good plateful of burger sliders, some crudités, and potato chips when Chrissy excitedly grabbed hold of her arm.

  “You look amazing in this suit!” Chrissy shouted above the music. “Wow!”

  Jenny cheeks heated. “Thanks.” She stepped back a little to appraise Chrissy. “You look very nice.”

  The dress was a tad revealing, but Chrissy seemed to be that kind of woman. Her makeup was even more glossy than usual, and she’d piled her hair in an elaborate twist. It was all a little too overdone and not Jenny’s taste at all, but she’d never tell Chrissy that.

  “Mm.” Chrissy leaned forward to look at the contents of Jenny’s plate. “The food looks great.”

  “I haven’t tried it yet, but it smells good and looks good, so the chances are—”

  Chrissy snagged one of the burgers from Jenny’s plate and took a bite. Her eyes lit up. “Oh yeah,” she said around her mouthful. “Great!”