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

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