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

The words came out huskily, her emotions all over the place.

Olivia’s smile was one of the most beautiful things Jenny had ever seen. “Ditto.”

Chapter 33

“Olivia? Do you have a moment?”

Olivia looked up from her laptop to find Zoey, from HR, standing by her desk.

The older woman smiled as their gazes connected.

“Sure. Here or…?”

“How about we just head into a meeting room?” Zoey didn’t wait for a response, and Olivia jumped up to follow her to the bank of rooms on the far side of the floor.

It was Tuesday morning, and she was alone in their area of the office.

Jenny was still working at the studio where a documentary on the history of nail polish was being filmed. “Most boring TV program ever made,” Jenny had whined when they’d spoken on the phone the night before.

Maxwell was in what he’d called an external meeting, but which Olivia suspected was actually an interview for another job somewhere. He’d not seemed happy ever since the start of the year.

Zoey shut the door behind them and motioned Olivia into a seat. “Thanks for giving me this time.”

Not sure I had a choice. She kept her temper in check and tried to relax in her seat.

“So, here’s the thing. I don’t normally do this but there’s always time for an exception.” Zoey took a deep breath. “The post of production manager, previously held by Derek, has been advertised for a couple weeks now, and applications close tomorrow.”

“Yes, I know.”

“I haven’t seen an application from you cross my desk yet.” Zoey’s voice was low but not accusatory. If anything, she sounded confused.

Olivia startled. She’d never expected Zoey to have this conversation with her, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for it.

“Olivia?” Zoey tilted her head. “Are you even considering applying?”

“I…I’m not sure.”

“May I ask why?”

Olivia sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“Are you worried you aren’t qualified enough? Because I’ve seen your résumé, and I think you have as good a chance as anyone. At least to make it to interview stage.”

“Oh.”

It was great to hear, obviously. But if she became production manager, Jenny would be her subordinate. Which would mean they couldn’t be in a relationship.

Her stomach rolled over.

“Or is there something else holding you back? The responsibilities, the pay grade?”

“No, it’s…” She had to ask, because it was fundamental to the situation. Olivia chose her words carefully. “Hypothetically speaking, if I was involved with someone romantically, someone who was a peer at present but would become a subordinate if by some chance I got the job, would that be a problem?”

Zoey steepled her fingers and rested her chin on them. “I’m confused, I thought you were married?”

Olivia’s face heated. “Getting divorced.”

“Ah. Well, I think you know the answer to your question, don’t you? As much as I would like to tell you that your relationship—sorry, your hypothetical relationship—would not be frowned on, I can’t. It would break company policy and one of you would need to either move departments or leave the company.” She softened her tone. “Or the relationship would have to end, but I don’t think any of us would want that, would we?”

Olivia blinked, not trusting her voice.

“Please talk to your hypothetical partner about this situation. I believe it would be a great shame if your résumé wasn’t one of the those we had to review tomorrow.” Zoey held Olivia’s gaze.

“I… Okay.”

Shit.

Olivia slept fitfully that night and was a tad bleary-eyed when she arrived at work on Wednesday morning. The sight of Jenny and Maxwell playing desk basketball lifted her spirits a little; somehow, no matter what, just hearing Jenny laugh was all Olivia needed to feel good about the world. “Good morning,” she said as she placed her purse on her desk.

“Hey,” Maxwell replied.

Jenny smiled. “Hi. How are you?”

“I’m okay.” Don’t lie. “Actually, I didn’t sleep too well. I have a lot on my mind.”

“The closing date is today, isn’t it?” Maxwell asked.

Of course, he would remember that. “Yes, I believe it is.”

Jenny looked at Olivia. “So, did you apply?”

They hadn’t spoken about it again. Somehow, with all the fun they’d had the last couple of weeks, Olivia had never quite found the right moment to bring it up. And neither, it seemed, had Jenny. So, here they were, about to air it all out in front of Maxwell. Lovely.

Olivia’s stomach churned. “No, I didn’t. Not yet.”

“Really?” Maxwell glanced between Olivia and Jenny, and his eyes widened. “Oh.”

“Quite.” Olivia gave him a wan smile.

Jenny blinked a couple of times, then took half a step closer. “Are you seriously considering not applying?”

Olivia sighed. “Yes. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about it, but somehow…”

“I know. I should have brought it up too. It was just easier to pretend it wasn’t happening and hope it all went away.” Jenny’s lips set in a thin line. “I’m too good at doing that.”

“It’s okay. I understand why, and I’m equally to blame. Neither of us wanted to let this get in the way of what is happening between us.” She inhaled deeply. “I still don’t. I’m not going to apply.”

“What? You’d give up that chance for us?”

Olivia’s heartbeat thudded painfully in her veins. “I would.” She said it with absolute certainty, even though she could have sworn she hadn’t made up her mind yet.

“I can’t believe you’d do that.”

“This means so much to me.” Olivia brushed one surreptitious finger along the back of Jenny’s hand. “I don’t want to lose it before it’s got started.”

When Jenny’s eyes filled with tears, Olivia had to fight hard not to wrap her arms around her. Not here, not in front of all these people. “It’s okay,” Olivia whispered. “There will be other job opportunities and—”

“Do it.” Jenny wiped furiously at her eyes. “Apply for it.”

“But—”

Jenny leaned in; her perfume teased Olivia’s nose and made delicious things happen low in her body. “Do it. Please, don’t put your career on hold for any longer. This is what you’ve been working so hard for. Go for it.