A Heart to Trust A.L. Brooks (romantic story to read .txt) 📖

her left, almost a snarl. Chrissy glared at Derek and Olivia. She masked it when Jenny looked at her, but it had been unmistakable: Chrissy was deeply pissed at what Derek had done. Was that solidarity with a fellow woman, or something more?

“Derek, can I talk to you about something?” Chrissy’s tone dripped with sweet syrup.

“Sure.” Derek wrenched his gaze away from Olivia.

“It’s private.” Chrissy’s voice tightened. “Can we step over here?”

He gave her a steely look but followed her anyway.

Chrissy marched them across the room to a darkened corner, and Jenny lost sight of them through the throngs of people.

“I would have thought she’d have better taste than that,” Olivia said, then she seemed to remember Jenny stood alongside her. She drained her glass and made to turn away.

“Hey, Olivia?” Jenny’s voice came out as a croak; she coughed to clear her throat. “I’m sorry about…that.” She gestured in the vague area of where Derek had stood. She was supposed to be not liking Olivia, but after seeing her suffer the lecherous behavior of Derek, she couldn’t let it go unacknowledged.

Olivia blinked. “Oh. Thank you.”

“So, any good plans for the weekend?” Wait, so now I’m doing small talk with Olivia?

Olivia looked equally bemused at Jenny’s need to chat. “Nothing special. My husband won’t be back until late on Monday, so I’ll have the place to myself to be lazy.”

“Nice. Is he away on business?”

Olivia smiled and it transformed her face, leaving Jenny a tad breathless. “He calls it that.” At Jenny’s confused look she laughed, and the sound did weirdly wonderful things to Jenny’s insides. “He races cars. Formula Three. He has his own team, Sinclair Racing. It’s his first season and he’s not done too badly—currently fifth in the standings.”

“Wow, I’m impressed!” I also now have an idea how rich your husband might be. So why are you bumming around doing crappy PA work? “But I guess that means he’s away a lot, right?”

“He is. But we manage.” Olivia’s gaze darted away, then back again. She held up her empty glass. “I feel like another one of these. Do you want another beer?”

“You know, I’m good, actually. Thanks anyway.”

“Okay.” Olivia stared at her for a moment, then walked off toward the bar.

Olivia wasn’t sure what had prompted the change of heart from Jenny, but it had been lovely all the same. An actual conversation, and with laughter too. She never would have believed it based on what had happened earlier in the week. The only downside was, of course, the lying. Necessary but still not sitting right with Olivia, even if it was only Jenny she lied to. Something twisted in her at that thought. Based on the sympathy Jenny had thrown her way after Derek’s behavior, Jenny deserved more respect than Olivia gave her at present.

She finally got to the bar and ordered herself another glass of wine. I ought to eat something too. She’d had no time for lunch, and the first glass of wine had already given her a pleasant buzz. After this second glass. I’ll be fine until then.

As she turned back from the bar, she caught sight of Chrissy and Derek, tucked into a corner. Derek leaned against the wall; Chrissy stood before him. She didn’t look happy. Her face had twisted into an ugly snarl, and she pointed one finger threateningly in his face.

He, in return, looked forlorn and apologetic.

Interesting. It was almost as if it were some lovers’ tiff. She watched them for a moment longer. That is exactly what it looks like. Well, well, well.

She returned to Jenny; there was no one else in the room she knew even remotely better to talk to. And maybe it was time to let down some of her walls and actually make an effort with her colleague. Even if she did have pink hair. She sighed. Even that she couldn’t fault tonight—Jenny looked stunning, pink hair and all. The suit fitted her like a glove, the slim pants working so well with her shapely legs. The androgynous cut of the jacket, combined with her spiky hair, definitely suited her.

Olivia had no doubt Jenny was queer; no woman who wore a suit like that could be anything but. Of course, this realization only disturbed her more. She’d given herself a strong lecture the night before to push thoughts of Jenny out of her head, and she’d been fine all through the day. Until the moment she’d crossed the floor this evening and Jenny had walked toward her wearing that suit and looking so damn delectable in it.

Olivia took a healthy swig of her wine. Come on, you need to get past this. Be friendly colleagues, but nothing more, remember?

Jenny couldn’t decide if she was having a good time or not. On the one hand, the music and food were great. And the drinks were still free, which was a bonus. Still, she’d stuck to light beer all evening—she was now on her fourth—and resisted the temptation of anything stronger. I barely know these people, and the last thing I want them to see just yet is party Jenny. Especially boss man, Derek.

Her gaze landed on him once more. He stood by the bar, holding court with a few other people from production plus some employees from the creative team.

Chrissy stood next to him.

He and Chrissy seemed pretty familiar with each other, in a way Jenny couldn’t quite figure out. She wondered if they’d known each other before Chrissy joined C&V. Maybe from a previous company or project, she mused. Somehow, it seemed more than that, though. There were looks between them that almost suggested…intimacy? Ew, no! She shuddered. Seriously, Chrissy and Derek? Dumbest idea ever.

Jenny pulled her gaze away from them and swept it around the room but didn’t see anyone else she could spend time with.

Maxwell had eventually appeared but only stayed for two drinks before leaving again. He’d mentioned something about his mom not being well.

Jenny didn’t know