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

“The two biggest issues,” Derek was saying, “are these. One, Jason Bentley is out. His agent made it perfectly clear his client will not, I quote, ‘parade up and down a runway like an overdressed poodle.’”

Jenny resisted the urge to snort. Bentley was the latest star quarterback to grace the NFL, and the guy was a douche. They were better off without him and his ego.

“So, we’re on the hunt for someone to replace him,” Derek continued. “Doesn’t have to be A-list, like him. I’m happy to take another B, given we’ve already got four As in there. Second, we need a decent host now. Someone who can talk up the fashion side of things and give it some style. We’d originally only booked someone to do a basic voiceover, but with all the extra attention this’ll get, it needs to be someone people can connect with. We’re reaching out to a few people we have in mind, but if you think of anyone, let me know. Same with the Bentley replacement.” He glanced at Jenny. “We’ve got a reputation as an ideas team now, so let’s live up to it.”

Olivia raised her hand. “I think I might know just the person for the host role.”

Chapter 19

Olivia ran through her speech in her mind as the elevator ascended to Katherine’s apartment. If her mother-in-law had been surprised at Olivia’s request to see her—on a weekday and without Broderick—she’d hidden it well on the phone.

The doors opened on the fourteenth floor, and Olivia stepped out. She took a deep breath, then rang the doorbell.

Katherine answered moments later. “This is a lovely surprise! Come in. We’ll talk in the kitchen. I have snacks!” She winked at Olivia.

Olivia followed Katherine to the large kitchen down the hallway. They sat at a small, informal dining table near the window and munched on petite crostini and blini, all handmade by Katherine, while they engaged in small talk.

“So, what brings you here on a Wednesday evening?” Katherine’s eyes narrowed in curiosity. “Everything okay with Broderick?”

“Oh yes.” Olivia gave her a big smile. “He’s fine. We’re fine. This is actually about work.”

“Work?”

Olivia took a deep breath. “The TV production company I work for is currently putting together a big charity event that will be broadcast live near to Christmas. One of the segments we’re doing is a fashion show.”

At this, Katherine’s eyebrows rose and she leaned in.

“We need someone who can host the segment.” Olivia kept her tone even, not wanting her hopes to run away with her. “Someone who knows about fashion, and who would be comfortable in front of a camera and an audience. I thought of you.”

“Me?” Katherine pressed a hand to her chest. Her wedding and engagement rings glittered in the lights from the ceiling. She’d never taken them off, even after Broderick Sr. had died, and Olivia couldn’t imagine she ever would. “But…but I’ve been away from television for a long time now.”

“Yes, that’s true. But your name hasn’t been forgotten. How many times do current fashion commentators get compared to you? How many times does your name come up in magazine articles, and newspaper features? Your name carries a certain, shall we say, cachet? It would be a big coup for us to have you on board with this.”

You will also cost us significantly less and be easier to work with than some of the divas other people have been suggesting.

“My goodness!” Katherine sat back, her hands gripping the edge of the table. “Do be a dear and pour me a glass of wine, would you? There’s a bottle open in the refrigerator.”

Smirking, Olivia stood and carried out Katherine’s wishes. She poured herself a glass of water while she was up, then pretended she needed the bathroom, just to give Katherine some space to think. When she returned to the kitchen a few minutes later, there was a bright smile on her mother-in-law’s face.

“Tell me all about this show,” Katherine said. “And what you want from me.”

“Your mother-in-law is Katherine Sinclair?” Derek rubbed his hands together. “My wife is a huge fan of hers! And she’s agreed to do this?”

“She has.” Olivia grinned. She’d emailed Derek as soon as she’d got home from visiting Katherine the night before to tell him the news, but she’d had no idea he’d be this pleased.

“Good work.” Derek nodded. “Very good.”

She walked back to her desk with a bounce in her step.

“What?” Jenny stared at her.

“Derek loved my nomination for host. The fact that she’s my mother-in-law definitely helped.” Olivia pretended to buff her nails on her shirt.

“She said yes?”

“She sure did.”

“Awesome.”

“Yes, it is rather good.”

Jenny snorted. “You and your understatements.” She rolled forward on her chair. “Here, have an M&M to celebrate.”

Chuckling, Olivia stepped forward to accept her reward. “Why, thank you.”

They looked at each other, both of them lingering in the moment.

This happened more and more these days, and Olivia couldn’t seem to stop herself. She knew she should. She knew it was dangerous, but it felt so good she didn’t want to lose it.

Chrissy walked up with a stack of paperwork in her hand. “What are you two smiling at?” Her sour mood hadn’t seemed to alter one little bit since Monday.

Jenny beamed. “Olivia just got us a kickass host for Catwalk.”

Olivia snorted loudly. “I don’t think anyone has ever called my mother-in-law kickass before.”

Jenny laughed.

“Great,” Chrissy said without warmth.

“Hey, you got a minute?” Jenny asked Chrissy. “Wanna go out for some coffee? Like, real coffee?” She waggled her eyebrows.

It seemed Chrissy had to laugh, in spite of her mood. “Okay, sure. But you’re buying.”

“Of course.” Jenny threw Olivia a thumbs-up behind Chrissy’s back.

Ah, she’s going to try to tame the beast. Hm, good luck with that.

“So, you’re obviously not happy.” Jenny decided she may as well get right down to it. She realized she’d been doing that a lot lately. Her confidence—or bravery—had increased hugely since she’d worked with Olivia on the new version