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

older woman’s eyes shone, and a small part of Jenny thought it was kinda cute she was so pumped up for the event. The rest of Jenny was still back in Olivia’s embrace, her mouth being plundered in a way that had left her too weak-kneed to stand.

“Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t realize anyone else was here,” Mrs. Sinclair said. “Hello.” She gave Jenny a winning smile.

“Hello, Mrs. Sinclair. Jenny, I work with Olivia.” Wow, I almost sound normal. How was that possible?

“Am I interrupting something?” Mrs. Sinclair looked sincerely concerned.

“No, not at all,” Olivia said. “But I’ll be out in a moment, okay?”

“Of course, dear. Take your time. I’ll be in my dressing room. Come visit, if you have time?”

“I do. Two minutes.”

If Katherine Sinclair suspected anything, she hid it well. She gave them both a wave and walked off in a swirl of taffeta and expensive perfume.

Olivia took a moment to turn back to Jenny. When she did, her expression said it all: fear and regret fought for control.

“I’m… I should never have done that.” Olivia’s voice was raspy. “Please, forget I ever did that.”

“I don’t understand.” Jenny was determined not to let her off that easy. “It’s obvious there’s something between us. There has been for a while. But you’re married, so what the hell was that?”

Olivia pressed a hand to her chest; she looked like she was trying to calm her breathing. Or stop herself from crying. “It’s complicated. Which I know is the biggest cliché in the book.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “I should never have kissed you. It won’t happen again.”

Before Jenny could respond, Olivia turned and hurried out of the room.

Jenny slumped back on her seat, her mind a tornado of confusion. What the actual fuck had just happened?

“Jenny Quinn to the stage,” a voice said from her radio earpiece. “Jenny Quinn to the stage.”

Yeah, it was probably a really good thing she still had to work because God knew she didn’t want to sit and think about Olivia’s kiss for the rest of the evening. Not if she wanted to retain her sanity, at least.

Oh my God, what did I just do? Olivia hurried down the corridor to Katherine’s dressing room, then slowed her steps as the door came into view. Breathe, just breathe. She pressed a hand to her abdomen and inhaled deeply.

I kissed Jenny. And it was incredible. Admittedly, it had been well over two years since she’d kissed anyone, so maybe any kiss right now would feel that good. But she didn’t think so. It was Jenny, and how she felt in Olivia’s arms, how her mouth felt on Olivia’s. The only trouble was, Olivia had no right to go around kissing anyone—never mind Jenny—given where her life was right now. I could have blown everything for Broderick. Her stomach roiled at the thought.

And yet she was still regretful at having to tell Jenny to forget what they’d shared. The confusion and hurt on Jenny’s face also turned her stomach. I need to find some antacids—I’ll never survive the evening otherwise.

A few moments later, her breathing was back to normal, and she was fairly certain her face was its regular color. She took one last, deep breath and rapped on the door of Katherine’s dressing room.

“Come in!”

She pushed through the door and inwardly winced at the scene that awaited her.

Katherine paced the small room, one hand holding a glass of water and the other pressed against her chest. She muttered as she paced, and Olivia caught the odd word here and there.

“Just like the old days.” “You can do this.” “Broderick would be so proud.”

Olivia’s heart clenched. “Are you okay?” She stepped farther into the room.

“Oh! Oh, darling, yes, I’m fine.” Katherine chuckled, her fingers fluttering against her chest. “Just a tad nervous.”

“You are going to be great.” Olivia smiled at her. “I saw your rehearsals, remember? You have nothing to worry about.”

“Oh, you are a dear.” Katherine inhaled deeply, then set the glass down. “Now, how does my hair look? I do like the style, though it’s not something I would normally do.”

“It looks amazing. You look absolutely beautiful, trust me.”

“Thank you.” Katherine’s cheeks pinked. “How long is it to go?” She glanced up at the clock on the wall and a small squeal escaped her lips. “Oh gosh, only five minutes!”

Olivia took her hand and squeezed. “Sorry, but I have to get out there, get in my position. Will you be all right here until they call you through?”

Katherine gripped her hand, then let it go. “I will. Go! Go do your job.” She blew Olivia a kiss.

Not for the first time in the last couple of years, Olivia was overwhelmed with guilt for lying to this lovely woman about her relationship with Broderick. Before those feelings could derail her, she spun round and left the room, her heart pounding.

Out front, the room was abuzz. The warm-up act, a comedian who seemed to have gotten everyone relaxed and feeling jolly, was just walking off stage.

“Okay, folks!” the MCs voice boomed over the sound system. “We’re nearly ready.”

Olivia bent low and crouch ran to her allotted station on the left side of the stage.

Jenny had the right side; she must have taken up position while Olivia had been talking to Katherine.

Olivia worked hard to keep her focus on the room, not on the woman she’d kissed only minutes before. A glance into the depths of the room told her Chrissy was behind the main body of tables in close proximity to the director’s desk, with Derek hovering in the background.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your host for the evening,” the MC said. “Katherine Sinclair!”

To rapturous applause, Katherine stepped onto the stage. Actually, glided was the better descriptor. She waved gracefully, a broad smile on her face, and Olivia’s heart swelled with pride for her mother-in-law.

After a couple minutes of loud applause, cheers, and whistles, Katherine managed to quiet the audience. “Honored guests, thank you for that