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“Tonight?”
“Is there a problem with tonight?”
“I was going to buy a new computer after work, try to get it up and running. I haven’t had a computer since I moved from Fresno.”
“I can help you set it up,” Brian offers.
“Really?”
“Sure. I’ll bring dinner over and get to work.”
I’m a little nervous about him coming over to the apartment, but he’s been so awesome, such a great resource as well as supportive that I can’t say no. Besides, I could use the help with my computer. Technology baffles me.
“All right. By the time I hit Circuit City and get home, it’ll be six thirty or seven.”
“Not a problem.”
I smile, relax. He is so nice about everything. And it’s wonderful getting help. I feel as if I’ve been battling alone for such a long time. “Thanks again, Brian, for all the help with the ball. The event wouldn’t be a success without you.”
“My pleasure, Holly. I’d love to see Olivia’s face right now. I’m sure she’s frothing at the mouth.”
“She didnotlook happy in the staff meeting.”
“Did she say anything?”
“No. But she gave me a look that could kill.”
“She doesn’t think you’re involved, does she?”
“I hope not. If Olivia knew—” and I suddenly stop because something’s wrong, very wrong, and I can feel it all the way through my bones. I look up. Oh, God. No.
Olivia is standing next to my desk. Her gray-green eyes are fixed on me, and her expression is strange… neither warm nor cold, kind nor harsh. It’s… empty. Vacant.
“Holly?” Brian’s speaking to me, but I can’t answer. “Holly, are you there?”
“I have to go,” I whisper into the phone, and hang up before he can say anything.
Olivia is just standing there, and I know I’ve royally fucked up. Not a little screw-up, but the kind of screw-up where I can’t breathe.
I go numb, the air bottling inside my chest. My skin turns colder and colder until I think I’m just better off dead. “Olivia.”
“Who was that?” she asks, her voice quiet. Calm. Perfectly detached.
I can’t answer. I just look at her, a horrible spaniel-like pleading look sayingI’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.But Olivia ignores me and leans forward, hitting the last number dialed on my phone, and Brian’s name and number flash.
“Brian Fadden,” she says, straightening.
Shit.
“I’m sorry.” Usually my biggest fuckups are private. I don’t think I’ve ever humiliated myself quite this way at work before. My stomach is grinding like a kid who’s learning to drive and can’t find the right gear.
“For what?” Her tone is glacial, her expression just as frigid and brittle.
I open my mouth to confess but see Josh and Tessa from the corner of my eye, and suddenly I don’t know what to say. Because if I confess, I’m probably fired. If I don’t, I’m lying. I don’t know what’s right anymore. I always used to be honest, straightforward, but honesty is beginning to seem a little overrated. I do a sidestep instead. “For taking care of personal matters on company time.”
“Personalmatters?” One of her elegant eyebrows arches higher. “Brian Fadden?Mycontact at the paper?”
“He and I… well, we’re sort of… dating.”
