A Heart to Trust by A.L. Brooks (romantic books to read txt) 📗

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 know, 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