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

Adrienne’s eyes glistened. “I know. It’s all so sudden. But I am only a phone call or email away, okay? I will always have time for you. Remember that.”

“Thank you.” Jenny’s voice was small.

“You can do this, you know. I obviously don’t know how good the two C&V women are, but I know you are good at your job. Just do for Derek what you’ve done for me and I think you’ll be fine.” Adrienne squeezed Jenny’s hand.

Jenny sucked in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “Yeah. I will.”

“And I know, from what you’ve told me about your past, that changes like this one are the thing you hate the most.”

Jenny managed a wry smile. “Yeah, they are.”

“But you are so much wiser now. You learned so much from what your asshole parents did.”

Jenny snorted; Adrienne had never referred to Jenny’s parents in such strong terms before.

“Sorry.” Adrienne chewed her bottom lip. “That just slipped out.”

“Hey, it’s fine. They were assholes.”

“Absolutely.” The vehemence in Adrienne’s tone made the hairs on the back of Jenny’s neck stand up. “I will never, ever understand so-called Christians who willingly and so abruptly kick their own child out of their house just because they find out she’s gay.” Her skin flushed a dark pink. “Honestly, if I ever met them, I’m not sure what I would do or say. But I expect there would be some ass kicking involved.”

Jenny laughed out loud at the thought.

“Remember, you survived that. More than survived—you thrived. Look what you’ve done with your life since then. This won’t stop you. You know that.” Adrienne pinned Jenny with an intense look. “You have had some brilliant ideas in the last year or so. Whatever this new project is you’re a part of, make sure you keep that creative part of your brain switched on. I don’t know about the others, but I do know Maxwell isn’t anywhere near as imaginative as you. This is something where you could definitely have the edge, and you should play it to the maximum. You’re also very good at getting to know the most important people on a project or team and nurturing your relationship with them. People like you, and they share things with you. Again, play to your strengths. Use that. And don’t let your fears dull all those great advantages you have.”

Jenny let the words sink in and inhaled deeply. “You’re right. Sorry, I just needed to wallow for a while and—”

Adrienne sat back. “Perfectly understandable. I’m sure I would have done the same in your position.”

Jenny snorted. “Honestly, I can’t imagine you wallowing. Ever.”

Adrienne’s mouth twisted. “Trust me, when my ex, Paula, left, I did plenty of wallowing. But I got past that, and look where I am now.” Adrienne raised her glass and Jenny clinked hers against it. “To being strong.”

Chapter 3

“Come on, Barnaby. You can do it. Look, it’s just one more block.” Olivia gazed down at the dog beside her and chuckled at his expression.

It said, “Can’t you just carry me?”

Barnaby, a big, old, golden Labrador, belonged to Mr. Cousins, one of Olivia’s neighbors. Now well into his eighties and using a walker to get about his apartment and their neighborhood, Mr. Cousins wasn’t physically able to give Barnaby the kind of walk he needed. Although, Olivia thought, most days Barnaby himself, who was probably over seventy in dog years, didn’t seem capable of that kind of walk either.

This Friday evening was a case in point, but they had at least made it to the small local park, where the grizzled dog had taken care of business. Olivia was thankful because, as ever, her time with Barnaby had grounded her and let her cut loose the stress of the day.

And God, what a day. It had been bad enough reading the company email late Thursday when they’d announced their takeover of TC Productions. One key phrase had sent shivers down her spine: “There will, inevitably, be some restructuring and potential loss of some positions, but that will be communicated as soon as is possible.”

As someone on a short-term, month-by-month contract, she’d feared the worst, and sleep last night had been hard to come by. Of course, now that the deal had been announced, so much of the last couple of months made sense. Derek must have known the deal was imminent when he hired her and Chrissy, and therefore only offering them short-term contracts fitted nicely into C&V’s plans. Why take on more permanent staff when you might be getting rid of them only weeks later?

Her frustration grew once more, despite Barnaby’s calming presence. She’d worked her backside off trying to impress Derek these past three months, and now it might all have been in vain. Her contract with C&V was her third temporary assignment since arriving in New York, and she was sick of them. She just wanted a permanent job. Ideally something with good prospects, but she’d take just the permanent status right now. In six months, she’d be branching out on her own, and being able to convince a landlord she could make rent each month was vital.

Today’s meeting hadn’t exactly allayed all her fears. Although her first impressions of the two TC Productions staff had given her a glimmer of hope. Maxwell hadn’t strung two words together, and Jenny had looked as far from professional as Olivia thought possible. She had green hair, for God’s sake. Who did she think she was, a pop star? And either she was ill or hungover, because she’d looked dreadful. She’d slouched in her chair, her eyes puffy, with a perpetual frown on her face. It wouldn’t pay to be overconfident, or smug, but Olivia had to admit, leaving that room, she’d had the impression a permanent job was within reach.

She and Barnaby reached the front entrance of the apartment building.

Marcus, the night doorman, held open the door for them. “Hey, Barnaby!” He knelt and patted the dog’s head.

Barnaby immediately sat, then leaned into