A Heart to Trust, A.L. Brooks [speed reading book TXT] 📗

the football helmet next to the framed photo on her desk, then moved her stuffed tiger over to the other corner. This left an empty space where hers and Maxwell’s desks joined, and she placed the basketball hoop there. She ducked under her desk, rummaged in her bag, and appeared a moment later triumphantly holding up a miniature basketball.

Oh, surely not. Olivia frowned.

“Game time.” Jenny placed the ball on the desk. “Flip to see who shoots first?”

Maxwell rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a coin.

Jenny called heads, then groaned when Maxwell announced it was tails.

Maxwell wheeled his chair around so that he now looked down the joined line of their desks. He picked up the ball and focused on the hoop a couple of feet away.

“Best of five, as usual?” Jenny asked.

Maxwell nodded, his face a mask of intense concentration.

They can’t be serious. They are not actually going to start playing basketball in the middle of the day and—

Maxwell took his shot and hit the rim; the ball bounced away across Jenny’s desk.

Jenny whooped. “You’re going down, buddy.”

“Must you?” Olivia snapped, her patience depleted. “This is an office, not a playground.”

Jenny stared at her. “We’re taking a few minutes to have a little downtime. Everyone needs a break now and then, Olivia.”

“But I’m not on a break, and you are disturbing me. Put that away and get on with your work.”

Jenny’s eyebrows lifted, and her eyes grew stormy. “You’re not my boss.”

“Thank God. I can’t imagine what it would be like to try to manage someone so juvenile.”

“Hey!” Jenny’s face reddened. “Wait just a—”

Derek walked over. “Everything okay here?”

“All good,” Olivia said tightly, turning back to her screen.

“Fine.” Jenny’s voice was equally tight.

“Cool basketball hoop,” Derek said.

Olivia snapped her head up, her ire rising.

“But make sure it only gets used outside of regular hours, okay?” Derek looked between Jenny and Maxwell.

“Sure thing.” Jenny’s shoulders slumped.

Derek wandered away.

Jenny turned and caught Olivia’s eye. There was a challenge in her look.

“Yes?” Olivia quirked one eyebrow.

“Next time you want to talk to me, how about you try it without all the insults, huh? We’re all on the same team, and none of us deserve to be talked to that way. By anybody.”

Olivia blinked as words deserted her.

Jenny turned back to her screen.

Chapter 9

Jenny glared at Carl when he sprinted into their apartment at a little after noon on Sunday.

“I know!” He ripped off his messenger bag and flung it to the floor. “I just need ten minutes to change, okay?”

“Fine!” She’d guessed this would happen. “But at least tell me it was worth it!” she called after him as he rushed to his room.

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” he replied over his shoulder.

She grinned. Well, okay then.

She danced a little jig in the middle of the kitchen floor, delighted for Carl and all the good things coming his way in the last week or so. The new man in his life, Solomon, definitely being one of them. When Carl had messaged her on Saturday afternoon to say his picnic date would probably last until this morning, she’d obviously teased him about saving himself for marriage, but she’d secretly been thrilled for him.

“Okay, so let’s finish this.” She turned back to the cooler bag she’d been filling and continued her task. The bag already contained a six-pack of Roz’s favorite beer along with two pots of the guacamole Tamara couldn’t resist. To those she added a pack of grated cheese and a pot of sour cream. Her mouth watered at the prospect of lunch. Roz had promised them tacos, something she hadn’t been inclined to cook for a while. Jenny loved Roz’s tacos and she hummed a happy tune of anticipation as she packed the bag. She placed an ice block on top of the stash then zipped up the bag. Next, she stuffed two large bags of corn chips into a reusable shopping bag, then carried both bags to the front door.

She slipped her feet into her waiting Tevas and picked up her crossbody bag, checking it held her keys, phone, and wallet before slinging its strap over her head.

“Come on, lover boy! We’re gonna be late.”

“Coming!”

Carl appeared from his room a minute later. He looked super cool in fresh shorts and a white T-shirt glowing against the dark brown of his skin. He’d clearly taken the time to shave again; his scalp was beautifully smooth.

Jenny whistled. “Hey, hot stuff. Wanna go out with me?”

Carl sauntered over and gave her his most sultry look. “Well, that’s the best offer I’ve had all afternoon.”

“Oh, ha ha. The afternoon’s only about fifteen minutes old.”

“Come on, then, let’s go.” Carl picked up the cooler and slung it over his shoulder.

They walked the six blocks to Roz and Tamara’s place. The weather was warm and although there were plenty of people out and about, the walk was comfortable, even with the two bags.

Tamara met them at the door, dressed in her usual weekend attire of shorts that came to her knees and a tight-fitting tank top. She pulled them inside and wrapped them in big hugs. “Come on through, she’s cooking.”

They followed Tamara to the small kitchen where Roz stirred something in a large pot on the stove. “Hey!” She leaned in to kiss Jenny on the cheek, then stretched up to offer Carl the same.

“That smells so good.” Jenny peered over Roz’s shoulder into the pot. The ground beef and taco sauce mix sent wafts of delicious scents straight up her nose.

“Good.” Roz pushed Jenny away. “Now get your nose out of there so that I can finish it off.”

“Where do you want the cheese and stuff?” Carl set the cooler bag down on the floor and unzipped it.

“Refrigerator. It’s, like, ninety degrees in here right now.” Roz’s forehead glistened with a light sheen of perspiration, and the neckline of her tank was a little damp.

“Do you need any help?” Jenny unpacked the bags of corn chips and laid them on the counter.

“No, I’m